Coming up with ideas for kids’ entertainment that don’t involve video games, apps, or other forms of electronics can be a real challenge. Reaching out to kids amid the constant buzz of technology often requires a bit of creativity and a thorough understanding of their interests. So next time you feel like putting together a quality family fun experience that will encourage your child to put down their phone, tablet, or game console, try some of these ideas:
Put your child in a starring role.
One way to get your kids involved in the notion of family outings (that don’t involve devices) is to put them in the middle of the night. For example, you can look for events and activities that give kids the chance to wear a crown, be knighted, or become a sheriff for a day, etc. in an environment that is fun and memorable.
Or, you can focus attention on your child by asking him or her to be the emcee or host for the evening. If you’re going out to dinner, for example, your child can order for the entire table or “pay,” depending on his role as host. If you are going to see a show, you can have your child research the venue and then make the announcement or presentation to the rest of the family about the evening’s agenda.
Explore the past.
Time travel is another great option to add flavor and excitement to a family outing or activity. And don’t worry if you can’t get your hands on a real time machine, because there are plenty of other ways to time travel, both real and virtual.
Let’s say you want to plan a board game night. You could declare it’s 50’s Night, and all clothing, conversation, food, and drinks should be 50’s themed. You can play 50’s music in the background, dress in ponytails, pompadours, or poodle skirts, and serve cheeseburgers and shakes for dinner. To get everyone in the mood that afternoon, consider streaming a couple of episodes of 1950s sitcoms on Netflix on your home TV or computer.
You can plan everything yourself and surprise the rest of your family, or you can ask your kids to help you with the planning. The research you do will help you learn a bit about the era you’re highlighting; Plus, getting them involved will go a long way toward getting them into the spirit of things.
Attend a live performance.
In an age where almost anything can be experienced on a television, tablet, or laptop, many children have very little exposure to live theater, dinner theater, and other forms of live entertainment. Taking them to see a dinner show or theater production can prove to be the thrill of a lifetime, and it will also open their eyes to a whole new world of arts and entertainment.
Create a themed family evening.
Surprise your kids by announcing on a Saturday morning that tonight will be about a special theme, like “Medieval Night,” “70s Night,” or “Sports Night.” Tell them they have the day to figure out what they will be wearing tonight, and you can also ask them to research some theme-related fun facts to share with the rest of the group.
When night falls, you can serve themed appetizers or snacks before heading to the main attraction: a themed activity. If it’s “Sports Night,” you could go to a college or professional sports game; if the theme is the 1970s, you can turn the living room into a retro disco. For medieval (or should we say knight?) theme night, you can enter a local tournament game or a medieval re-enactment show.
(Bonus tip: Turn up the fun when you challenge your family to stay in character all night using language, slang, or slang associated with your chosen theme or era.)
Host a family sleepover.
Stack mattresses, blankets and sleeping bags in the living room and get ready to have some fun – it’s a slumber party for the whole family! You can make it really authentic when you surprise your kids at the breakfast table with printed party invitations. As for activities, some to consider are ghost stories, prank contests, arts/crafts, watching movies, and board games. Other bells and whistles to consider adding are making popcorn, midnight snacks, making Coke floats, and sleepover pranks.