5 Ways To Keep Children Amused Without Using Technology
When you are busy or you need to keep your children amused, it is so easy to just reach for your phone or iPad and stick Peppa Pig on.
There has been many articles in the media recently about parents using technology as some kind of babysitter and, while my children do have access to technology, it is not something I am comfortable with dishing out on a regular basis.
The problem is, when you want to keep them amused-say in a car or while you are out and about-or worse still, waiting somewhere, what do you do?
Here are my five top tips.
Books. Keep a few books aside especially for situations where you have to go and wait somewhere. That way they will be new and fresh each time you go out.
2. Likewise, a few little toys in your changing bag are always a hit if the children haven’t see them for a while. You know your child. For me, I take a little mirror for either of them bit especially Boo, a lip balm so she can play ‘makeups’ and some small farm animals or dinosaurs for G. It’s also great when you are fishing around for your purse and pull out a plastic goat.
3. Snacks. I am not sure that feeding is any better than technology but a steady supply of healthy snacks and a drink will alway bide your time a bit. Be clever here though. Choose things like raisins which take ages to get out of the packet. The act of getting them out will take longer than eating them-therefore creating a bigger distraction.
4. Noise. If you are somewhere quiet, other people may well hate you for this but I always find something noisy like a musical book, a toy Tamborine or a noisy toy works wonders. My reasoning is, better a noisy toy than a wailing child. Just don’t make eye contact with anyone else.
5. If all else fails, a good old action song is my go-to activity. Get them on your knee for Row Row Row the Boat, do Round and Round the Garden or make them laugh with This Little Piggy. You may get talent spotted for X Factor with your brilliant singing voice (or not) but come on, did you ever thing you would be singing nursery rhymes in public? It’s all part of the fun.
Oh gosh yes, I was nodding along to all of these! I have to admit I fed my child finger food for a solid 2 hours once while I was meeting with a client at home and she was there. She was about 12 months old. Bad mum!
Nat.x
During the summer months, it’s easier to keep them entertained as they can play in the garden with the trampoline. What we struggle with is when it’s dull and cold for six months of the year. During that time, they run out of things to do and end up with either the TV or the iPad. I make a rule that they don’t play more than one hour on the iPad. I can see the change into bad behavior if they play on the iPad for longer.
We have an array of outdoor clothing suitable for all weathers 😉 there’s no excuse here but an hour is a good thing. I felt the same about the behaviour which is why I now say it’s broken-how mean am I?!!
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative
and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
I’m very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for something regarding this.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this
topic to be really something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking
forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.
Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so
I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch
break. I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site!
Very shortly this web site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s fastidious articles or reviews
I think the admin of this web site is in fact working
hard in favor of his site, because here every information is quality based material.
Quality articles or reviews is the crucial to interest the people to visit
the web site, that’s what this web site is providing.
Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based upon on the same topics you discuss and would love to
have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would
enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to
send me an email.
Hi, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Chrome, it looks fine
but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, fantastic blog!
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I
recieve four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Appreciate it!
I every time spent my half an hour to read this web site’s articles
daily along with a cup of coffee.
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the article you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times follow your heart.