Fun Offline Activities for Children

Offline activities during childhood play an important role when it comes to learning, so don't let the excessive use of the internet consume these precious moments!

There are many offline activities children can do, from coloring to doing jigsaw puzzles, dressing up, playing riddles, and going to the park, and more. In fact, these alternatives are very healthy, and children enjoy them much more than watching a screen.

As you already know, technology is here to stay, but childhood is brief. Indeed, tablets, computers, phones, and smart TVs are common methods of distraction.

However, they don’t really induce creativity or provide children with certain experiences and training, and cognitive development.

20 offline activities for children

First, using the Internet as a form of entertainment is reasonable. However, it becomes a problem when the child becomes dependent on it for distraction. It also poses a risk due to online predators and other forms of inadequate use, according to a study published by the Journal of the Institute of Legal Research).

1. Separating objects is a nice dynamic for one-two year-olds. Thus, teach them to classify objects instead of handing them a tablet to entertain them with videos. Cushions, stuffed animals, or plastic blocks are great for this purpose, let them organize them by color, size, or type.

2. Target practice with an empty toilet paper tube you can decorate with your child. Use it to throw balls of paper into one of the openings of the roll and stimulate healthy competition and whoever accumulates the most wins.

3. Are you looking for a simple and fun game? Here’s one!

It requires paper and straws, the amount will depend on the number of participants. Form several balls with paper and mark starting line and finish lines with other toys, shoes.

The point of the game is to blow the paper ball to the finish line with the straw. Whoever hits it first wins. Design a race track and roll the balls around it for more excitement.

4. Design a treasure map and hide a prize somewhere in your house. The goal is for the child to find it following the clues. Reversing roles is also exciting: parents can hunt a treasure prepared by the children.

5. Origami is great for learning basic skills, according to the article published by the magazine Ciencias de la Educación of Universidad de Carabobo.

Apart from online tutorials, there are books with which to learn paper folding techniques to create animals, airplanes, cars, hearts, and many other shapes. You don’t even need scissors or glue for this activity, just pay attention and be patient.

6. Make up a trivia game with family facts so the children get to know each other better.

Write the questions and answers on cards, shuffle them and take turns asking questions. That who gets the most correct answers wins. Alternatively, you can choose a topic of interest to everyone.

7. Every family has one or more artistically inclined members. Thus, bring it out by organizing small shows that involve dancing, acting, puppets, magic, etc. This isn’t just a chance to exercise creativity but also addresses stage fright.

8. Come up with recipes using the ingredients in your pantry or something else you both enjoy, be it baking cookies or decorating a cake. Children will love this particular offline activity.

9. Stop is a game that consists of randomly selecting a letter to start and type a word for each of the 5 different categories that start with that letter.

Every word adds up to 100 points and if two participants use it then its value decreases to 50. As you can imagine, the player who gets the most correct words in the least amount of time wins!

10. Board games are a classic and there’s one for everyone. In fact, your children can invite their friends and spend a whole afternoon playing.

11. This bowling game requires empty plastic bottles as pins and a ball to knock them down. Define how many turns there’ll be along with a scoring system. The rules are up to you and the children.

12. Set up a circuit for sit-ups, jumping jacks, and other simple exercise routines. It’ll help you entertain yourselves away from the Internet and will actually promote your health.

13. Scientific experiments will encourage a child’s ability to create using principles of chemistry and physics in a fun way. Firstly, figure out a science project you can do at home as you might have to go online for that purpose.

14. Explain the importance of recycling and motivate children to reuse some waste materials to make simple toys.

15. Fundacion Ayuda en Acción highlights the benefits of tongue twisters for children as contributing to vocalization, improving vocabulary, memory, and awakening interest in language, among other benefits. Thus, make a fun list and practice them.

16. Yoga and meditation can help children channel their energy. This is because they’re methods of breathing and relaxation that greatly benefit health and improve mood.

17. Reading is one of the most important offline activities you can encourage, far above any other. Alternate between stories and books on specific topics that might spark their interest.

18. Word games! In this game, the first player says a word, and the next one adds another word that begins with the last syllable of the previous one. Furthermore, finish every round without anyone getting stuck but don’t take too long to continue.

19. Make obstacle courses with furniture, cushions, and toys, and add some special challenges. The winner is the one who completes it in the shortest amount of time.

20. Lastly, involve the children in organizing the house. This is because they should be a part of household chores from an early age.

In fact, you can delegate chores such as mopping, washing dishes, folding laundry, or taking out the garbage. In addition, get them used to check from time to time which toys they no longer use and donate. It’s a great way for them to collaborate in making room for other things in the house.

The importance of offline games and recreational activities in children

Offline activities are great for learning and developing physical abilities and emotional and social skills. Thus, give them the freedom to explore the outdoors and allow contact with nature and others in their environment for the following reasons:

• Firstly, because offline activities help children overcome fears.
• Also, because they learn to relate and share.
• In addition, it stimulates cooperation and leadership.
• Also, they allow them to use their imagination.
• Finally, they become more independent.

Offline alternate methods to entertain children

A world aligned with technology makes it almost impossible to keep children away from screens — especially when there’s so much content available.

Therefore, it isn’t a matter of keeping them completely away from the Internet, only of limiting the time they spend there and supervising what they’re doing.

Finally, allow a reasonable amount of time for them to be online and plan activities with family, friends or spend time outdoors without a tablet, computer, or phone. Furthermore, show them how much they can learn and enjoy offline!