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Original poster

What to do with 7 year old son?

14 replies

Originalusername01 · 21/12/2020 16:21

Obviously with everything being closed we are spending a lot of time indoors..and way to much screen time. I'm looking for activities that we can do together or any ideas? He has a switch for Xmas so we can play on that together ( I know that's still screen time but at least I can be involved ), he doesn't really enjoy reading for fun but I'm actively encouraging this. Hes not into jigsaws or puzzles. I went to spend some more quality time together but no idea where to start. Open to all suggestions ..thank you

OP posts:
Disorganisedfish · 21/12/2020 16:30

My Ds is 8 so I feel your pain!

Some suggestions from me are: Lego, baking, assault courses (I time him while he jumps over cushions and runs round kitchen chairs and things) switch is good - the dance game makes me feel less screen time guilty, I put a masking tape out line on the kitchen floor as if it was a few streets and we designed our perfect village..... mostly though..... it’s hard to pull him off screens!

Oh! Scavengers hunts as well! I sometimes put ideas into envelopes and he has to pick an activity out of the envelope. It might be something mundane like 20 mins reading but because he’s picked it out of a tombola jar he’s much more excited by the prospect!

goldeline · 21/12/2020 16:32

My DS is 7 and loves playing top trumps and card games (his favourite is shit face which we've re-named poop face..)

Manteo · 21/12/2020 16:32

Are you isolating or can you go out? If you can: Geocaching!

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Original poster
Originalusername01 · 21/12/2020 16:49

@Disorganisedfish

My Ds is 8 so I feel your pain!

Some suggestions from me are: Lego, baking, assault courses (I time him while he jumps over cushions and runs round kitchen chairs and things) switch is good - the dance game makes me feel less screen time guilty, I put a masking tape out line on the kitchen floor as if it was a few streets and we designed our perfect village..... mostly though..... it’s hard to pull him off screens!

Oh! Scavengers hunts as well! I sometimes put ideas into envelopes and he has to pick an activity out of the envelope. It might be something mundane like 20 mins reading but because he’s picked it out of a tombola jar he’s much more excited by the prospect!

The ideas in a jar is great...stealing that. Thanks for the suggestions xx
OP posts:
Original poster
Originalusername01 · 21/12/2020 16:50

@manteo what's geocaching? We love being outdoors xx

OP posts:
Fivemoreminutes1 · 21/12/2020 16:53

My DS did Hama beads for the first time yesterday. We’ve got a big tub of random beads and pegboards, plus this dinosaur kit www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hama-beads-dinosaurs-set/596099-1000

Today we made some stained glass biscuits for the tree and tomorrow night we’re going to make a den on the living room floor next to the tree and possibly camp overnight in it.

The weekend before last we went on an after-dark Christmas light-spotting walk.

Coronawireless · 21/12/2020 17:01

Lots of outdoors. Long long walks. Any beaches nearby? Rocks to climb? Sea to swim in? Forest walks? Do you have a dog or can you borrow one or advertise yourselves as dog-walkers?
Then, as a reward for a long walk:
Read to him. Every single evening. Your own childhood favourites. Exciting books he wouldn’t manage to read on his own.
Card games eg speed, rummy, uno, old maid, patience, donkey, go-fish.
Board games eg snakes and ladders, connect 4, dobble, othello, draughts, chess, Pictionary, charades.

Stepintochristmas2020 · 21/12/2020 17:35

I have a 7yo and during the week we are together alone in the evenings, and we are stuck inside as dbaby goes to bed at 6pm!

Board games - monopoly junior, cluedo junior, scrabble. He likes them but they're also interesting for me and can pass an hour.

Having a dedicated movie night.

Baking - even something easy like a chocolate biscuit cake.

Would he enjoy 'funny' books more than a normal book? My ds is more likely to go for captain underpants or horrid Henry books to read.

MinnieMountain · 21/12/2020 17:39

Have you tried cartoons for reading? DS loves Beano and Asterix.

Lovingmylife · 21/12/2020 18:54

We have started couch to 5k together

bloodywhitecat · 21/12/2020 19:05

Geocaching is a kind of treasure hunt via an app.

Donotgogentle · 21/12/2020 19:08

DS likes playing Stratego, lots of spying and bombing. Also Connect 4.

Donotgogentle · 21/12/2020 19:09

Also I challenged him to make lunch today.

It was a cheese wrap with smoothie but still he made it on his own.

KILNAMATRA · 22/12/2020 07:06

Audiobooks, I've 2, and an a minecraft audiobook keeps em going for 2 hours in the morning.. libby app from your local library has free audiobooks

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