Chances are, you’ve been inundated with study upon study that social media is no good for your teen. But what’s next?
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt says the answer lies in providing children with more free play and responsibility in the “real world.”
“We need to roll back the phone-based childhood and restore the play-based childhood,” Haidt tells CNN in an article by Matt Villano published earlier this year.
Here are some ideas for parents looking to swap out the phone with other engaging activities for their kids:
- Visit a friend’s house after school or host a playdate or sleepover. Bonus points if it’s screen-free!
- Play a game of tag.
- Kick around a ball with kids in the neighborhood.
- Bring a sheet of wax paper to the local playground and sit on it as you go down a slide. (It makes you go faster!)
- Build a fort out of sticks and natural materials.
- Design an invention using only materials around the house.
- Make a vision board using magazine cut-outs or a collage of all your favorite things.
- Start a scrapbook compiling all of your favorite photos.
- Pull out an old puzzle or board game or teach your child(ren) a game from when you were their age.
- Play a game of charades with family or friends.
Fun in the Chesapeake region
If you’re stumped on where to turn next, head to your local library to check out a few books or movies of your child’s choice. Libraries are great resources for more than just reading materials; they often host free community events for people of all ages.
The Anne Arundel County Public Library offers arts and crafts events where your teen can learn the basics of using a sewing machine or discover a new hobby with others their age.
Other events include family bingo, yoga, chess club, LEGO building, game nights including a Mario Kart tournament, movie nights, teen hangouts and community service opportunities.
For melodic memories, head to the Glen Burnie Library for a ukulele group strum on Feb. 20. It’s alright if you’re not a pro just yet.
Most of these events—with the exception of family bingo—are geared for teens ages 11 and older. If your tween is worried about getting roped into a “kiddie” activity at the library, they have nothing to fear!
When the weather warms up for spring, go outside and explore. Anne Arundel County is home to more than 140 parks and sanctuaries. Can you visit them all?
Pack a basketball, fishing pole and picnic lunch on your trip to Fort Smallwood Park and make a fun afternoon with friends or family. Kids can swing at the playground while older teens try their hand at fishing or crabbing at the pier.
To satisfy a sweet tooth, try the cupcake of the month or a French macaron at Sweet Eden Bakeshop in Severn. The family-owned business offers cookies, cake pops and other treats including vegan and gluten-free options.
Or make your own cake pops with a simple box of cake mix and customize them to your liking. Cake pops make the perfect gift for a friend or loved one.
While the sweet treats might be Instagram- or Pinterest-worthy, the memories created with family will go far beyond any number of likes or comments.
