Ideas for non screen activities for DS13

[LimeLemonOrange]

I need help coming up with some ideas for activities to get DS13 away from gaming and YouTube.

Pre lockdown he enjoyed football, cricket, badminton, swimming, drama and playing in the park with friends. At home he was always on screens but was rarely at home for long stints so it wasn't a problem.

With all his activities cancelled I'm at a loss.

Ideally I need to come up with a mix of things he could do solo and things he could do with me (I work PT). I also need to think of fun physical activities as he's putting on weight.

We are in the same boat here with DS1 who’s 14. I bought him a pull up bar, mini trampoline and swing ball ...none of which he’s used beyond the initial novelty ☹️
He does enjoy baking and cooking and I enforce some outside time, we occasionally get a game of cards out of him but I’m interested to hear any other ideas too!

I have the same! Fortunately last summer we bought a puppy so DS knows that he has to walk the dog with me everyday. He got a mug cake recipe book for his birthday so he is happy making those which minimises the mess. Not exactly healthy though!

Do you have a garden?
My ds played football too so now just practises his skills in the garden. We bought a goal at the beginning of lockdown and had cones.
We go for regular walks, runs and bike rides.
Other things are
Lots of school work!
Reading
Chores
Airfix model
Baking and cooking
Drawing though often following a YouTube tutorial

Get him to take on household tasks? Hoovering, cleaning windows, laundry, cleaning the car, simple gardening if you have one.

Frame it as Learning Life Skills

Alternatively, harness the power of the screen. Is he any good at comsci? Get him a book on coding and see if he can make a project, ie a racing track game, which you can all play with.

Thanks for suggestions so far - keep them coming!

Also it's good to know I'm not alone with this (though I wish so many of us weren't in the same boat - poor kids).

Weight. Training ?

Yes turn screen time into more productive projects. Physics girl on YouTube is great (I'm sure that would work for a boy as well as a girl she very cute)

Coding to, he's a great age to get into it, you could add some physical interaction with a BBC microbit if you've got the funds to. They are quite cheap actually.

Would he be interested in any hands on activities, would work, or model building. Simple projects to start with. Even art at all or colouring all good for mental health.