There is no doubt technology and the internet have made life more convenient and enjoyable by providing us easy access to massive amounts of information and unlimited entertainment. But on the downside, it also somehow affects people in a negative way in terms of human interaction and a shift in focus and attention.

These days, children are so attached to technology at such an early stage that it can be worrying for parents. It is so common to see kids being glued to the screens, be it indoors or outdoors.

If you are growing increasingly tired of your kids having too much screen time, it may be a good time to change this by coming up with ideas to disconnect their minds from technology for a while.

Here’s a list of activities to help you get started on “operation digital detox”.

1. Treasure Hunt

My boys enjoy the idea of finding something that I’ve hidden in my room.

I will go on a search for hidden spots and hide as many small items as possible. They, on the other hand, get a thrill in searching and locating the “treasures”, and will let out a triumphant yell when they manage to find everything.

We take turns to do the hiding and they get a great sense of satisfaction when I get stuck trying to find the items that they have hidden. Sometimes, we also make it more fun and challenging by adding a time limit to this activity.

All in all, it’s a great way to engage the kids!

2. Board Games

Head down to Toys ‘R’ Us and you can find a plethora of board games to entertain the kids. From the traditional chess, monopoly and code breaker to the modern Twister, Pie Face and Pictureka, I am very sure there is definitely something that they will fancy.

Pictureka is an interesting search game that my boys enjoyed very much. It is a race against other players to find the most number of funny characters and objects on the boards based on the cards drawn to win the game. It is a test of speed, observation and memory that every kid will find delight in playing.

3. Put on your superhero costumes

Every child is obsessed with superheroes and imagines their overwhelming excitement when they get to pretend to be one.

Engage in role-playing with your children by turning them into Spiderman and Ironman while disguising yourself as the villain. Your kids will run wild chasing after you and might even land a few blows on you. Yes, you will be “begging for mercy” while huffing and puffing for a break.

4. Arts and craft

One of the best ways to nurture kids’ creativity is to engage them with art and craft.

Using items and materials that are found in your home, challenge your kiddos to come up with creative artworks or crafts that you can proudly display or hang on the walls of your home.

A great first step to take for this activity is to provide your little Picasso with the necessary tools to spark their imagination and creativity.

5. Cooking

If your kid has a penchant for food or cooking, involve him/her in the kitchen and let him/her be your assistant. Be it making a toast, cooking scrambled eggs or putting together a simple salad, teach and guide him/her along the way while injecting fun in the process. It is a great family bonding activity and everyone will end up having a blast together!

For younger kids, you could introduce clay to stimulate their creativity in food making as well as purchase kitchen playset for them.

6. Build anything you can imagine with Lego or building blocks

I have to agree that Lego is one of the most enriching and educational toys that benefit a child in many ways.

From building motor skills to promoting creativity, children can spend hours building amazing works of art and you can see the sense of satisfaction and achievement on their faces when they proudly show you their creations.

Together with parents, the sky’s the limit on what a family can build together through cooperative play and teamwork.

7. Engage in outdoor activities

It is important for children to adopt a healthy lifestyle by engaging them in outdoor activities. Kids need vitamin D for bone growth, so do take them to outdoor playgrounds and let them run around and burn their boundless energy.

On the other hand, you can teach your kids to cycle at cycle-friendly parks. Once they can cycle on their own, take them to a cycling adventure and venture to the other parts of unexplored Singapore with cycling routes like West Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park and Woodlands Waterfront.

For kids who enjoy the sea, sun and sand, make a trip to the beach. With imagination and innovation, you could work on building awesome sandcastles that are set to be the next big thing on Instagram!

8. Attempt to break free from escape rooms

Escape room,  one of the latest craze that is gaining popularity around the world, is a game that requires a group of people to look for hidden clues, solve puzzles and find concealed passages to escape from a room in less than 60 minutes.

This activity is a big hit with our family of four due to the immersive experience. Every room has its own theme and it is all about teamwork – so everyone needs to put on their thinking cap and use their wits to break free from the escape room.

It is certainly an awesome activity to do with your kids every once in a while.

9. Volunteer at Animal Shelters

If your child adores dogs but for some reason or other, you are unable to commit to keeping a pet at home, being a volunteer at an animal shelter is a great way to give them the experience of spending time with the furry creatures.

Your kid can take on roles like showering and walking the dogs, cleaning the cages and feeding them with love. This helps to educate your kids on the responsibilities of keeping a dog and the amount of love and care every dog requires.

Doing volunteer work is a very meaningful way to engage kids as it also provides a chance to give back to society.

In a nutshell, parents should set a good example for their children by reducing their own screen time so their kids can follow suit. Find joy in spending more quality time with them and they will end up having lesser time for gadgets.