Good Old Fashioned Fun for Kids Without the Use of Modern Technology

In today's society of advanced technology, information and entertainment are at the touch of a button. But is all that technology really good for you? There have been many a study done about the negative effects of television on children. Now with the advent of the inter-net and easy accessibility, there are even more ways for children to stay glued to an "idiot box" so to speak instead of having fun, energetic activity.

Whatever happened to old fashioned fun and games for kids? What ever happened to family activities? Where did those fun and nostalgic days go? With everyone being on the go today, family time can be hard to come by. Even if you can't get the whole family to join in, there are plenty of activities for children that can be fun, educational, and pass the time away for hours. Here are some great ideas for activities for kids to enjoy without the use of modern technology.

1. Board Games. Hello, what ever happened to these? Family time can be loads of fun for just about any age with a tried and true board game. Younger children enjoy games like Checkers, Shoots and Ladders or Sorry. Older kids and grown ups too enjoy the classic Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit or Yatzee. The whole family can join in for a game of Life, older ones helping the younger ones to read the game cards. You can even get the neighbors involved by holding game night tournaments where the winners of each family play off against each other to see who the winner is. Make the prize something simple like the winner buys the take out for the night. Kids enjoy tournaments where the winner gets to be exempt from chores. Try out some of the newer board games on the market to throw a twist into the mix. These games are not only fun, but create reasons for kids to use their brains by problem solving and practicing stragety techniqes.

2. Card games. Another family favorite. Problem solving skills are honed with a simple game of Rummy or Canasta. For younger children you can play Old Maid or Go Fish. Buy a book of rules to many card games and try them all! Hold tournaments and give the winners a fun treat.

3. Mini market picnics. Try having a family dinner outing by packing a reasonable picnic with dinner style food. Mark each dish with the amount it costs to buy it, then give the kids money or markers to buy what they want. Not only do they get a great meal, they get to choose from several dishes for what they want, practice their math skills, and get a first hand idea of what its like to eat at a cafeteria! Kids of all ages love this "game". You can even make chore markers and they can barter and trade with these for the meals they love and the treats they really like! (for example, mark each dish with a number of chores they must agree to complete to have it, then have them draw from a hat a "chore card" and thats the chores they will have to do. If you don't like chores, make up cards with silly things to do).

4. Obstacle course. Create your own safety obstacle course either inside in a wide open space or out in the yard. Use safe objects that won't hurt them if they fall, and have them time themselves racing through it

5. Science experiments. You can do lots and lots of science experiments in the home with ordinary objects and kids love these. Educational and fun. You can find many projects that cost little to do in books at the library or even online at a multitude of science for kids sites. The kids don't even know they are learning, and for older children, minimum supervision is required.

6. Plan a trip around the world. Break out the old encyclopedias and dust them off. Kids can learn alot from actually reading these. Have them plot out a trip around the world and then read about the countries they would like to visit. Let them create an itinerary of places to visit writing a short description of each place. When they are finished, have them present the idea to the family. Have a family discussion about which places they would like to visit the most, what they would do and see there, and about the trip itself such as what to bring and why. Have them do artwork depicting the places they would go see and for younger children, you can even let them create costumes of the traditional dress of their favorite place they want to visit. Another great educational activity without the words school work involved.

7. Outdoors scavenger hunt. Make a list of things commonly found in nature. Then take the kids to a local park or let them loose in the yard if its big enough, and have them complete the list. Talk about what they find, what it is, what does it look like, feel like, what can it be used for etc. This will tucker the little fellers out that they will probably be asleep before you get home. Give them each a bag to keep all their items in and when you get home let them use the items to make a collage or other type of artwork for display.

8. Sewing circle. It never hurts to teach any child how to sew, you never know when they might need to know. To get boys interested in sewing, explain how surgeons use sewing during surgery or medics use it to save lives when there is no hospital around. Children of just about any age can sew as well. For younger children you can buy a plastic loom or other craft items such as hook - n - rugs for crochet or yarn and plastic needles for making large items with prepunched holes. Older children enjoy craft projects such as sewing dolls or stuffed animals. Quilts are popular with all ages, as they can create the style and color they want with rub ons and patches. Other popular projects include letting them pick their own patterns for clothing or sewing patches or beads onto clothing and bags to decorate them. The options are limitless with this one, its up to you how much you do, and its a hobby which after beginning instruction can occupy an older child unsupervised for hours. Let them enter their items into crafts fairs or art class displays for public recognition of their talents. Having something that they can show off which they made themselves is something they can be proud of, and sewing knowledge can be passed don for generations. Have older family members host a quilting bee involving the children and invite their friends so they can display their own knowledge of the craft.

9. Cook. Yes, you read that right, cook. Involve the children in cooking activities by letting them help with preselected recipes. Younger children can do easy no bake recipes while older children can make complete dishes even meals by themselves. Let them help plan out the menu and create the meals with them or supervise. Children can be quite accomplished cooks once they learn how. Classes that this would cover in school include home etc. math and reading comprehension. Besides, if they are going to make mud pies anyway, why not make Mississippi mud pie so everyone can enjoy!

10.Baby in a box. One of my favorites. Ever see that commercial, you know the one with the one where the narrator says "watching them play with the box it came in, priceless"? Well anyone with kids knows this saying is true. You can use cardboard boxes to make just about anything, and they are free. If you don't have enough big ones to make a fort or castle, visit your local grocery or retail store, they will have plenty to give away. You can let their imaginations run wild with a few boxes, some crayons and some box tape. The best part about it is at the end of the day, you don't have to find anywhere to put the boxes, unlike store bought toys, these are disposable.

Fun activities don't have to cost an arm and a leg, and kids don't need the latest and greatest technology to have a good time. A little imagination can go a long, long way towards making an afternoon of old fashioned fun last a life time for little minds.