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As a grandma, I know firsthand the challenges of keeping our grandchildren off of screens.
In today’s digital age, it’s all too easy for kids to spend hours glued to their phones, tablets, and TVs. However, as much as they may love their screens and as much as technology is here to stay, it’s important to limit their time on them and encourage other activities.
I’ve seen the negative effects of too much screen time in my own grandchildren, like when my granddaughter stopped playing outside and lost interest in reading, preferring to spend all her time watching videos online.
This is why it’s essential to find ways to keep our grandkids engaged in real-life experiences, so they can develop their creativity, social skills, and overall well-being. I hope these ideas help!
1. Have a picnic
Pack a basket of your grandkids’ favorite snacks and head to the park for a fun-filled picnic. Eating and chatting outside is a great way to keep their minds off of screens.
2. Play board games
Dig out some classic board games, like Monopoly or Scrabble, and spend an afternoon playing with your grandkids. Not only will they have fun, but they’ll also exercise their brains.
Even better, try one of the classic board games from the past. It’ll spark conversation and be a ton of fun.
3. Go on a bike ride
Take your grandkids on a scenic bike ride and enjoy the fresh air together. Encourage them to take in the sights and sounds of nature instead of staring at a screen.
4. Make crafts
Get creative with your grandkids and make some fun crafts together. From painting to DIY projects, there are plenty of ways to keep their hands and minds busy.
5. Cook a meal
Teach your grandkids how to cook their favorite meal, or try something new together. Cooking is a great way to bond and keep them away from screens.
Need some inspiration? Check out 8 Super Easy Desserts To Whip Up.
6. Go on a nature walk
Explore the great outdoors with your grandkids on a nature walk. Point out different plants and animals along the way and encourage them to appreciate the beauty of nature.
7. Have a dance party
Turn up the music and have a dance party with your grandkids. Dancing is a fun way to get active and shake off any screen-time blues.
8. Visit a museum
Take your grandkids on a cultural adventure to a local museum. They’ll learn something new and won’t even think about their screens.
9. Build a fort
Get creative and build a fort with your grandkids. Use blankets, pillows, and whatever else you can find to construct a cozy hideaway.
Trust me, they will love it and, before you know it, hours will pass and you’ll both be royalty in your “castle.”
10. Play dress-up
Let your grandkids raid your closet and play dress-up. They’ll have fun trying on different outfits and accessories, and won’t even think about their screens.
11. Have a talent show
Encourage your grandkids to show off their skills with a fun talent show. They can sing, dance, act, or do anything else they’re passionate about.
12. Go swimming
Cool off on a hot day by taking your grandkids for a swim. They’ll have fun splashing around and getting some exercise.
13. Read a book
Snuggle up and read a book with your grandkids. Reading is a great way to escape into another world and forget about screens for a while.
Reading to your grandkids is proven to be very important. Use our list of 25 books for inspiration if you need it.
14. Do a puzzle
Challenge your grandkids with a tricky puzzle and see how long it takes to solve. Puzzles are a fun way to exercise their brains and keep them off screens.
15. Have a movie night
Instead of mindlessly scrolling through their devices, have a movie night with your grandkids. Choose a fun family-friendly movie and enjoy some quality time together.
I know this is still technically a screen of course! But you can pick from our list of Classic Movies that will really bring you and your grandkids together.
16. Play sports
Get active and play some sports with your grandkids. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, or frisbee, they’ll have fun running around and staying away from screens.
17. Have a tea party
Have a fancy tea party with your grandkids. Serve some delicious treats and enjoy some quality time together.
18. Play card games
Teach your grandkids some classic card games, like Go Fish or Old Maid. They’ll have fun learning something new and keeping their minds off of screens.
19. Visit a zoo
Take your grandkids on a wild adventure to the zoo. They’ll have a blast seeing all the different animals and learning about their habitats, diets, and behaviors.
20. Plant a garden
Get your grandkids excited about gardening by planting a small garden together. They’ll learn about different plants and how to take care of them, while enjoying the outdoors.
21. Make a scavenger hunt
Create a fun scavenger hunt for your grandkids to complete. Hide clues around the house or neighborhood, and challenge them to solve the puzzle.
22. Build a birdhouse
Get creative and build a birdhouse with your grandkids. They’ll learn about different birds and how to attract them to the backyard.
You can buy kits on Amazon or Google how to build on yourself. It’s much easier than you think and, honestly, it’s more about the bonding than anything else.
23. Make a time capsule
Help your grandkids create a time capsule, filled with special items and memories. It’s a fun way to document their childhood and look back on in the future.
We have a full article on how to do it! How To Create A Time Capsule With Your Grandchildren
24. Volunteer together
Encourage your grandkids to give back to the community by volunteering together. Whether it’s at a local food bank or animal shelter, they’ll learn the importance of helping others.
25. Write letters
Encourage your grandkids to write letters to family and friends, or even pen-pals from around the world. It’s a great way to practice their writing skills and connect with others without screens.
Sidenote: you can write letters to your grandkids. Check out our guide here and maybe they’ll write back!
Conclusion
Overall, there are plenty of fun and engaging activities to do with your grandkids that don’t involve screens. By spending quality time together and enjoying each other’s company, you’ll create lasting memories that they’ll cherish for years to come. So go ahead and try out some of these ideas, and see how much fun you can have without screens!
