The Digital Age, The Computer Age or The Information Age, whatever you call it, it involves lots of hi-tech gadgets, gizmos and devices. In a world where screens are more common than houseplants, finding ways to entertain ourselves without the glow of digital devices can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fear not, there are plenty of analogue activities that you can do without a screen to entertain not only yourself but your family and friends as well. I have ventured into the depths of the internet, yes using a screen so that you don’t have to (apart from reading this of course), and emerged with a treasure trove of screen-free activities so that you can #DitchTheScreens and have some proper fun. Just don’t put down that phone or shut down that laptop until you have finished reading this before starting on your scree-free fun.
Whilst screens are an integral part of our daily lives, we all need to switch off those screen once in a while and do something different. Whilst screens (televisions, computers and of course, those pesky phones) have their place and positive qualities, they inform, educate and entertain, they also have lots of negatives and too much screen time isn’t good for us. It can lead to a lack of exercise, weight gain, the loss of communication, self-isolating (especially when family members are each in different rooms with their own laptops, phones and televisions) and can end up being the easy option for childcare, becoming a technological babysitter.
That said, ditching the screens completely isn’t the correct option either. Screens play a big part in our home, school and work lives but like most things, moderation and balance is the key.
- Keep track of screen time – keep track of how much time everyone spends on a screen (television, phone, tablet, laptop etc.) so you can work out if all that screen time is really needed. This way you will be able to limit use at the right times. We are all guilty of unnecessary screen use, I have a habit of putting on the television for the morning news as background noise – but I have started using the radio more rather than reaching for the TV remote or being extremely lazy and telling Alexa to turn on the television.
- Turn it off – turn off devices when not really in use, don’t just have the television on for the sake of it.
- Get Out and About – go for a walk or take the kids to the park, it will be so much better for everyone than plonking down in front of a screen, mindlessly doing nothing.
When it comes to entertainment at home, don’t jump for the television remote control or the games console controller. Put down the phone, I know it might feel like it is actually an extra appendage but it really isn’t. There are plenty of fun activities to do at home and you might be surprised at just how much fun you can have without a screen involved.
Let’s start with some classic screen-free entertainment: board games. Game nights are an excellent source of entertainment. Dust off that Monopoly box, and get ready to bankrupt your loved ones with a smile! Playing board games, tabletop game and card games are not only a fantastic way to bond with family and friends, but they also offer a delightful opportunity to showcase our competitive spirit and strategic prowess. And who doesn’t love the sweet sound of dice rolling on a hardwood table? Plus they also teach children about turn taking, patience, concentration and can help to develop cognitive skills, dexterity and lots of other useful skills. And they are lots of fun. Whilst I don’t review board games of Savage Reviews, I do review them on my dedicated board game reviews website, What’s Good to Play – why not pop over and take a look!
Like board games, jigsaws are perfect for whiling away the time without a screen and can be a solo or group activity. Enjoy the solitude of trying to fit tens, hundreds or thousands of tiny pieces to form one complete picture or get everyone around the table working together whilst conversing, catching up on each other’s day and putting the world to rights. And it is surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable.
Discover (or rediscover) the magic of books and reading. Picking up a physical book and getting lost in the skilful art of the word and language can be magical. The smell of the pages, the feel of the paper flicking through your fingers, and getting lost in tales of adventure, thrills, crime, horror and romance, or maybe graphic novels and comics are your thing. Create a cosy reading nook in your home, complete with comfortable seating and good lighting, and dive into a world where you can get lost in imagination and knowledge without the glare of a screen. Like board games, I don’t review books on this website, but I do on my dedicated book review website, What’s Good to Read – hopefully you will find your next great read over there.
Get creative with arts and crafts and unleash your inner Picasso, Michelangelo or Tracy Emin! From painting, drawing and sculptures to DIY home décor and sewing, the possibilities are endless. Whatever your passion, whatever your favourite medium, beginner or expert, grab some supplies, let your creativity flow and create your masterpieces. A great way to express yourself. If you are not sure what you would like to do or where to start. Hobbycraft have some excellent ideas on their website.
If you like being creative but art isn’t for you, get creative in the kitchen. Grab an apron, head to the kitchen and try your hand at cooking or baking. Savour the process of creating something delicious from scratch. Who doesn’t love a good cake? This is an activity that the whole family can join in with that will provide not just delicious meals and cakes but laughter and conversation. Just be prepared for a mess (which the kids can also help clean up, teaching them a bit of responsibility in the process). After you have created your edible masterpieces you also get to eat them!
Get up and dance with a dance party. There’s nothing quite like shaking your thang to your favourite tunes. Blast some music and dance like nobody’s watching. Not only great fun, but excellent energic exercise too! And completely screen-free! You could even dance around the house whilst tackling your spring cleaning!
For the little Einstein’s and budding scientists in your life, experiments are a sure fire hit. Give them some water, flour, corn starch, jam, or any other mixable ingredients, and watch as they concoct the next great… well, mess. But it’s a fun mess, and that’s what counts! Although you don’t need to jump into the messy ingredients, maybe your little one prefer scientists like Michael Faraday (the father of electrical engineering), Thomas Edison or Nikola Tesla and would prefer electronics like the Hot Wires Electronics Set.
Connect with nature and put those green fingers to work with a spot of gardening, and it doesn’t even matter if you have a garden or not. Garden, small balcony, greenhouse, allotment, or just a window box, gardening can be a therapeutic and rewarding pastime. Planting, watering, and tending to your plants allows you to connect with nature and enjoy the simple pleasure of watching something grow. Grow your own veg and you even save a bit of money on food.
Have some Outdoor Fun whilst the weather plays nice. Grab the scooters and bikes and hit the local parks. You can even take some outdoor toys and games with you to have a great time – fly a kite, play a game of keepie uppie without a ball using the Ukick, or play with the giant Super Wubble Bubble Ball.
Engage in healthy physical exercise. Whether it is enjoying a family bike ride, scootering around the park or getting out into the garden or park for a family game of badminton, throwing around a ball or Frisbee, or what about anyone for tennis? Pick up a tennis racket and hit the courts or try something a bit different with Trampoline Tennis. You can also try a spot of yoga, a dance workout, simple stretching exercises, and if your local park is like mine it has some gym equipment to keep everybody fit and healthy (and for no charge), moving your body can boost your mood and energy levels. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to involve the whole family in a fun and healthy routine.
In conclusion, screen-free fun at home is not only possible, it can be lots of pleasurable fun! So next time you’re tempted to reach for your phone, remote or tablet, remember that there’s a whole world of entertainment waiting for you, no batteries required.
If you want to spend some good quality time with your family, #DitchTheScreens. The best screen is the one that isn’t on all the time. Find a screen-free activity that will appeal to ALL members of your family (it some might take a bit of encouraging but everybody will enjoy it in the end and thank you for it). Consider establishing a screen-free day in your household or have a regular screen-free evening for your family time and stick to it. Good quality family time should be screen-free for maximum enjoyment. You can still get your screen fix and always sit down together afterwards and watch a movie together.
Screen-free family time is an excellent, quality bonding experience and perfect for fun, laughter and conversation. Try it and see, you will be amazed at the difference it can actually make.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must scoot off and grab a book before getting in a quick game of badminton.
If you have your own ideas that you would like to share for unplugging from those screens and having fun at home, please leave them in the comments below.
Happy unplugging!