Top 10 Afterschool Activities That Will Help Kids Forget About Screens
Steering children away from screens in this digital age is as easy as herding cats. Tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles have become an indelible part of life. However, with a bit of imagination, after-school activities may be created so enthralling that, in the end, kids will hardly realize they are missing their screens. Here are ten excellent ways for you to try that theory out:
1. Outdoor Sports
Nothing compares to the high energy of running outdoors. Whether it be football or basketball, introducing kids to sports as an after school activity instills team spirit, fitness, and social skills such as camaraderie. Individual sports like tennis or swimming could also remove their aim from screens while boosting their self-confidence.
2. Art and Crafts Classes
Unleash their inner Picasso! Painting, pottery, or crafting encourages creativity and allows the child to express themselves. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a fridge full of handmade masterpieces?
3. Music Lessons
Learning an instrument is a timeless skill. Whether it’s the guitar, piano, or even drums, music lessons offer kids a sense of achievement. While you are at it, also consider buying some sound-canceling headphones for practice time at home.
4. Dance Classes
From ballet to hip-hop, dance is a fun way to keep kids active and develop their coordination. It is also fun and builds self-confidence, especially when kids get to showcase their dance moves at a recital.
5. Cooking Classes
With their crafty hands and minds, kids enjoy getting messy with food. Cooking or baking skills are great practical ways to start teaching creativity, and if parents are lucky, maybe their kids will even be inspired enough to make dinner once in a while (if only!).
6. Martial Arts
Martial arts such as karate, taekwondo, or jiu-jitsu develop discipline, focus, and respect and ensure the kids’ activity. Plus, they would feel like superheroes in training.
7. Gardening
Maximize development opportunities through the game of gardening. Show them that fun is also associated with digging in the dirt. It can link them to nature and teach them responsibility and empathy for how food is raised. The budding reward comes from seeing their plants grow.
8. Science Experiments
Turn your homes into a mini-lab. Simple science experiments such as making slime, building volcanoes, or growing crystals are learned with loads of entertainment. Just make sure you have your cleanup kit nearby.
9. Drama and Theatre
Drama classes allow young personalities to express the energy they have within. Attending the training in theatre helps in public speaking, team integration, and creativity, and it might even serve as a platform for them to make new friends.
10. Handwriting Classes
Not having proper handwriting is something a lot of the kids deal with. In place of shaming them for their shortcomings in this field, arranging a special handwriting class for kids can be useful. They can seek fun ways of learning how to improve their handwriting over time.
Conclusion
Give your child a voice when choosing an activity. When excited about it, they are likely to keep it in their schedule. When starting an extracurricular activity, introduce the children to one or two activities, not more than that, so as not to overwhelm their schedules. Mixing up physical, creative, and educational activities keeps kids interested and excited. Screen-free fun does not have to turn into another battle. With these activities, your kids will develop, learn new skills, and forget about their dearly beloved devices. Who knows? You might join in on the fun!
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