As the summer season approaches, it is crucial to provide our pre-teens and teenagers with free-screen activities that promote creativity connection and personal growth. While technology plays a significant role in their lives, striking a balance and teaching them on how to be reasonable in their usage have numerous benefits for them as they grow into adulthood.

I will be sharing with you five exciting screen-free activities tailored for children between the ages of 9 and 17 that will empower them to explore their interests, build relationships and make the most out of the summer months:

1. Outdoor Adventures and Explorations:

By planning hikes, nature walks, or camping adventures, we encourage our children to explore the outdoors and connect with nature. I encourage them to document their experience through photography or journaling. By having them use their phones here for a specific reason and specific time, I am teaching them how to control their phone usage and enjoy the activity at hand.

Such outings foster a sense of appreciation bonding and physical fitness. Before the summer break arrives, I encourage you to brainstorm your ideas, decide where to go and what kind of outdoor activities you all like to participate in. The purpose here, is to enjoy your time while you create unforgettable memories.

2. Engaging Clubs:

Consider having your children join book clubs, elderly fun clubs or participate in robotics challenges – all of which promote personal growth and development. Your child can volunteer in an elderly fun club to play cards or read books to a grandparent. Check within your community for similar opportunities, and you will be surprised how much joy your child gets from such an activity. This will encourage empathy and understanding to slowly build within themselves.

3. Board Games and Art Work:

Set aside early evenings for gathering with cousins and other family members to play board games, solve puzzles, or engage in artwork. Such activities promote critical thinking and problem solving, social connections and communication skills. Encourage your children to express themselves through digital art tools, painting, clay modeling, or drawing. They can even sketch their favorite scene from an outdoor activity or create something inspired by their imagination.

4. Baking and Cooking Activities:

I don’t know about your children, but mine love to cook and bake. This creates a wonderful opportunity for us to plan and prepare meals together and experiment with new recipes. You can even host the cousins over and create a cooking fun challenge for added fun. Cooking and baking promote healthy eating habits, a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.

5. Sports and Fitness challenges:

Engaging teenagers and tweens in team sports that align with their interests promotes their teamwork, physical wellbeing, discipline, and self-confidence. It also offers an opportunity for socializing and meeting new friends. Usually, the elder boys go to the gym and play football with the young adults in the neighborhood.

This summer we want to empower our children to embrace screen-free activities as much as possible and nurture their talents to develop vital life skills.  These activities will help them expand their horizons and allow them to discover their passion. Keep in mind that the activities do not need to cost you an arm and a leg for your child to create amazing memories that will last a lifetime.

So how are you planning your summer vacation?