After school activities- trying to keep screens at a minimum

[unpcplod]

I’m trying to really cut down on my kids screen time this year. I don’t mind them using them some of the time but I’m trying to be mindful with it and just mix things up a bit as they’d happily sit for hours and watch YouTube if I let them.

They do after school clubs some days and will have homework and bits and bobs to do but I wondered if anyone had any good suggestions for some after school activities we can do at home.

We made some cakes one day last week and I set them a project another day which they loved- I said pick a place and find out some facts about it and then we can share what we’ve learnt. (They used laptops for this but it wasn’t sitting there watching YouTube.) Sharing the ideas I’ve had in case anyone else finds them useful.

I want them to relax when they come in and have down time from school/ learning so just looking for some ideas.

I agree with starting chores - they are not too young. They can help with laundry - matching socks and putting things away. It's a nice way to chat and talk about their days too.

I'd also get them to help with making dinner.

Other than that, can you have one day where you either take them to the park or the library (depending on weather).

You could suggest they make up plays to put on for you or dances.

Make a paper doll chain for them to colour in.

Board games

At that age my daughter loved a scrap book, she had some that became fact books (mainly about animals) or she used them as diaries, so any activity/day out we did she would keep things as souvenirs and stick them in.
She is in her 20’s now and I still love looking through them.
I also got her helping with planning/making dinner too.

Ds was 6 in first lockdown and we did various Lego challenges from a list school sent. (Think it was something like 100 Lego challenges) We also did themed painting (was DD8 homework) and that was quite good fun so picked various artist and did paintings in their style. Also did pizza cafe where kids designed menus and made pizza from scratch…
we also did big family walks at least once a week… and the occasional bike ride.

Build dens from chairs and sheets

In summer definitely teach them some old fashioned games like ‘What’s The Time, Mr Wolf?‘ and play badminton in the garden/park

Teach them card games and tricks

Depending on the size & layout of your house, is there an option to push the furniture to the sides, blow up a balloon & play balloon volleyball? You make your your own rules but it allows them to burn off some energy and only so much harm can be done with a balloon!
Mine would also have long “experiment baths” at that age with plenty of bubbles, foam and then various bath crayons, dyes & other things.
Challenge them to come up with an exercise routine for you or a yoga session (they probably do cosmic yoga at school).
If you have a garden, get them one of those beanies with a built in light and they can go out in the garden wearing those and “explore”.

Honestly I would just get rid of tablets completely. Just one tv in the living room where everyone can see what's being watched and they have to share.

What about listening to music or podcasts via an alexa or similar? Are they interested in learning an instrument?