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.
- Read a book together after dinner.
- Watch a movie as a family, and then dress up as your favorite character.
- Try learning a new language or make up your own.
- Write a song or rap.
Fun in Baltimore
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 events for the community for people of all ages.
Baltimore County Public Library offers “crafternoons,” writers’ clubs, LEGO building sessions, movie watch parties, teen hangouts and even a teen chill space if your 13- to 18-year-old just needs some snacks and some downtime after school.
Pick up a new skill such as playing the ukulele or coding, or delve into local history right at home. The Reisterstown—local library archives are full of hidden treasures.
You’re never too young to be a hero. Learn to save a life with Stop the Bleed life-saving or CPR training from members of the Baltimore County Fire Department; sessions are open through February at various local libraries for teens as young as 14 years old.
Encourage your teen to use that newfound knowledge to become a babysitter or “mother’s helper” for a neighborhood mom. They’ll earn some cash while spending quality time with a kid and learning life skills around the house.
Your child can save that hard-earned money or spend some of it on an experience they’ll cherish; rock out at a CFG Bank Arena concert when their favorite artist comes to play.
When the weather warms up in the spring, go outside and explore. Take a bike or a hike at Patapsco Valley State Park, where you’ll find trails, picnic areas, campsites, cabins and fishing and canoe access. If you’re feeling extra outdoorsy, plan a family camping night or try backpacking!
To satisfy a sweet tooth, try a chocolate caramel tart or a s’mores bar at Harmony Bakery.
The Chestnut Avenue spot has outdoor tables and a menu of gluten-free desserts and pastries. While the sweet treat might be Instagram- or Pinterest-worthy, the memories created with family will go far beyond any number of likes or comments.
