10 Ideas for a Screen-Free Summer

Thursday, 15 August 2024 22:18

Looking for a way to drag the kids away from their tablets and screens this summer holiday? Hanna Prince has a few suggestions…

Finding holiday activities that can beat the allure of a screen isn’t always easy. There are only so many trips you can take to the local park – and big days out to family attractions can quickly take a toll on your wallet. But you needn’t give in to the power of the tablet. Come rain or shine, these inclusive, fun, low-cost activities will put you on course for an unplugged summer.

CAMP OUT
Camping is the antithesis of screen time — it’s outside, active, practical, and something that the whole family can do together. But you don’t have to spend hours packing up gear and negotiating holiday traffic to reach a far-flung campsite. The Isle of Wight has some of the best sites in the country, from woodland hideaways and riverside meadows to seascapes and farm stays. For a quick camping fix, even a small garden will do. All you need is a tent, some marshmallows on sticks, and plenty of boy scout-style enthusiasm.

PLANT A GARDEN
If you haven’t got round to growing your own yet this year, it isn’t too late. There’s plenty of veg that can still be planted in July and August, including lettuce, spinach, salad leaves, chard and spring crops such as spring onions and cabbages. How will this help detach kids from their screens? Well, for younger ones the prospect of sifting through compost and pressing seeds into soil has timeless appeal, while older kids can get enthused by the creative process of designing and laying out their own garden. Add interest by including some wildlife-friendly species in your mix to see what birds and creepy-crawlies you can attract to your patch.

REDISCOVER RETRO GAMES
Gaming was a thing before tech took over the world – just not quite in the way we see it today. Scour charity shops for retro games and challenge the kids to a day of old-school fun. Great games for your arsenal could include marble run, pick-up sticks, jacks, cat’s cradle, dominoes and spinning tops. Places like Snacks and Ladders in Newport offer an array of games which you can enjoy in house for a small ‘playing’ fee.Or at home, take the party outside for croquet, lawn darts, bean bag toss and bowls.

CRAFT A TOY
Minecraft isn’t the only place where you can build your own amazing creations. Channel your kids’ imagination from the virtual realm into the physical one by suggesting some real-life toymaking. You can buy kits for building everything from felt animals to paper aeroplanes, but it’s often more fun to do it from scratch. With younger kids, have a crack at making your own squishies using just a balloon, a plastic bottle and a cup of flour. For a bigger project involving plenty of crafting skills, why not create your own natural fibre doll? Free online instruction videos will guide you through every step of the process, from felting the head with wool to knitting your own clothes.

COOK YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD
Baking is a great way to while away a rainy day, but you can add an extra layer of interest and education by theming your bakes geographically. Grab a map, pick a country you want to find out about, and research local recipes online. You can learn more about the history and culture of that place too – use the internet, or, if you want to go 100% screen-free, the local library. Learning a few words of your country’s language (even if it’s just ‘hello’ and ‘enjoy your meal’) can be fun as well.

EXPLORE A NEW PLACE
It’s easy to stick to the same rounds of local playgrounds, parks and beaches. This summer, try getting outside your comfort zone and adventuring further afield. There are many amazing (and free) locations to visit across the Isle of Wight.

DO SOME GOOD
For a feel good, screen-free day, book in a spot of family volunteering. There are regular beach cleans throughout August along the Isle of Wight coast – organisers include the Marine Conservation Society, Surfers Against Sewage and local councils. You could also think about becoming a reading volunteer at the nearest library, helping at a local festival (often in return for free tickets), sorting donations at charity shops or walking dogs at an animal shelter.

WALK FOR A PURPOSE
Few tweens will drop their tablet in favour of a nice long walk, but it’s all about how you present it. Instead of focusing on the walk itself, sell the destination. Try discovering a waterfall, exploring a fort, printing out and ticking off a list of scavenger activities, foraging seasonal treats or simply visiting the local pub for a bowl of chips – whatever you think might peak your screen addict’s interest. Just don’t mention the four miles they’ll have to tramp to get there…

LEARN A NEW SKILL
Six weeks is plenty of time to master a completely new hobby. Suss out your kids’ interests – do they want to start roller-skating, get skilled with a pair of drumsticks, write a novel or learn how to skateboard? With any luck, they’ll be so busy honing their newfound talents that they won’t have much time to spare for screens.

10 Ideas for a Screen-Free Summer

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