Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama. Update: I didn’t quite get the original 31 days series written back in October, but this is a work-in-progress and I’ll keep adding Unplugged Play ideas as we go.
Today’s the day! We’re beginning our much anticipated series on Unplugged play: no batteries required.
It seems, at times, like play and childhood are becoming obsolete. We live in such a hurry-up world that it can be easy to forget that life doesn’t have to be that fast-paced and play doesn’t require batteries or the endorsement of a television character. I invite you and your kids to slow down and reconnect with simple play. It is time to get back to basics and have a little fun doing so!
Unplugged Play
Each idea will feature a short post with a simple idea or two for “unplugged” play – no batteries or power cords required. Whether or not you choose to unplug from all other electronics (video games, television, computer, other screen time, etc) is up to you.
Day 1
Unplugged Activity #1 – Today, I’m starting you off with perhaps the easiest unplugged play idea: simply open the backdoor today and send your kids outside to play. Bonus points if you go with them.
Overly simple? Maybe. But when was the last time you played with your kids outside? I have a feeling some of you are overdue for some backyard frolicking and I bet your kids would be thrilled if you joined them for some sandbox digging, a game of tag, or a walk around the yard. Get out there!
Need a little more direction? Kids looking at you wide-eyed with no idea where to get started? Have children who don’t really want to play tag or dig in the dirt?
- Hand them a camera or sketch pad and tell them to take picture/draw what they see.
- Go on a nature walk, around the yard or neighborhood. Don’t forget to look up and look down.
- A pile of picture books and a blanket = a reading picnic. Enjoy the October sunshine while we have it, friends.
However, I would also stress that you shouldn’t be afraid to give your kids what Kim John Payne calls “the gift of boredom.” Don’t feel like you have to direct their every move outdoors. Give them some space to get a little bit bored and eventually they will find something to do, even if it is just to sit and cloud watch or daydream (good for grown-ups, too).
Unplugged Activity #2 - two words: blanket fort. I’ll leave how simple or elaborate it becomes up to you and your kids.
Have fun!
More Unplugged Plays Days:
Activity #3 – Stuffed Animal Zoo
Activity #4 – Story Themed Playscape
Activity #5 – May I take your order?
Activity #6 – Take dolly for a walk
Activity #7 -Apple painting
Activity #8 – Cardboard Castle
Activity #9 - Games for Paper and Pencil
Activity #10 – Stick Puppets
Activity #11 – Garden Playscape
Activity #12 – Calm Down Jar (glitter bears)
Activity #13 – Play a game together
Activity #14 – Play Dough
Activity #15 - Post Office Pretend Play
Activity #16 – Apple Orchard Playscape
Activity #17 – Junk Mail Art Projects
Activity #18 – Stacking and Building
Activity #19 – Bathing baby dolls
Activity #20 – Knock! Knock! Jokes
Activity #21 – Newspaper Hats
Activity #22 - Sidewalk Chalk
Activity #23 – Kiddie Pool Bubbles (think GIANT bubble bath)
Activity #24 – Solar Oven S’mores
More ideas coming soon!
Are you ready for some simple, unplugged playtime fun?
About Kara
I’m in! Looking forward to starting this with you!
Robin from Frugal Family Times´s latest post: Hard, Sweaty, Fun: Organize Your Day for YOUR Happiness!
We’re always up for some good unplugged play ideas. I absolutely love taking books outside, and we don’t do it nearly enough. I’ll make sure that my littlest one and I do that tomorrow. Looking forward to it
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Two Chicks and a Hen´s latest post: Happy October!
Love, love, love this idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Debi´s latest post: Why We Love Ranger Rick Magazines
Love this series already. Thank you!
Caroline´s latest post: Weekend Inspiration: Clinging to the Vine
Oh – this is wonderful!
Can’t wait to hear more ideas for this type of play (is it just me, but I feel that this is fast becoming a lost art for so many children and parents alike).
Becky´s latest post: A Nature Shelf! {week 1, October 2012}
We’re actually headed out on a walk in the woods today! Woot!
Johanna @ My Home Tableau´s latest post: 5 Tips to Maximize Your Mornings
The leaves are just perfect here, I think a little walk is definitely in order!
Molly Makes Do´s latest post: Underground: Reclaiming the Little Holidays
I can’t seem to shake off the sleepys this morning. I think a walk outside is the perfect idea.
Ashlee´s latest post: Miss Me?
This is just brilliant – I love it!!! I can’t wait to see the fun you get up too!!!
se7en´s latest post: Where in the World is Wally… A Wonderful Awesome Amazing Collection of GiveAways and Swaps…
Thank you Kara! It’s been a while since we’ve play outside ALL together. =)
Aimee @ Simple Bites´s latest post: A simple guide to cooking dried beans
I love both ideas so far. You are right, I am almost always outside with my kids, but rarely am I ever actually playing with them. I am usually puttering in the yard and trying to get something accomplished!
I am really looking forward to your other posts!
Thanks so much!
The Orchard´s latest post: Bedtime Coziness
Fun!! I hope the rain stops, then we may go for a walk. If not DEFINITELY the blanket fort!!
Heather´s latest post: Another Zoo Day
Yay – this will be fun!!
Simple Homeschool – Jamie´s latest post: How to deal with twaddle in your homeschool
Thanks for these great ideas! My kids are now outside playing in a tent(close enough to the idea I figure)! Can’t wait for tomorrow .
Sounds great, Kara. I’m looking forward to a month of play. We were outside yesterday painting. I have bought a giant canvas, which we are decorating to hang on our wall.
Catherine´s latest post: An Invitation to Build: Lego Vehicles
Love this series already. I would like to give my kids the gift of boredom! Glad to have found you through Nester’s link up. I’m looking forward to what you have to share. I am blogging “I Wear Pink”. Please stop by.
Fun! And this is a perfect time to be sure we’re enjoying outside time–never know how long that will last!
Lynda @ Rhody Reader´s latest post: Lois Ehlert Toddler Crafty
Thank you for the mom inspiration. We just moved and I wanted to start “fresh”. I need simple ideas and I am looking forward to reading each day. Thanks in advance.
This is going to be good! Looking forward to a daily dose of inspiration. We’re doing the 31 day series too.
Melitsa´s latest post: 31 Days Of Sensory Play {Day Three} Reading Car Maze
I love this 31 Day Topic! We love getting outside and playing. Especially now that we can run around without Mama getting sweaty (I get cranky when I sweat).
We’re doing a 31 day series, too.
Allyson @ All Our Days´s latest post: Duplo Blocks Counting & Tower Matching Busy Bag
Thanks so much for these great ideas. Our focus this month has been on slowing down and living a bit more simply. Your ideas are wonderful ways to do just that while connecting with our little ones!
This is my kinda 31 days. I pride myself on not turning the tv on. I like the challenge of finding activities for my toddler and I to do. It’s memory building and so much more fun than being “plugged in”.
Mel@ThDizzyMom´s latest post: Fancy Ramen
This fits perfectly with our theme: Bonding with Family Fun. Single moms need more ideas just like this one to increase family together times.
Oddly enough, we did just this yesterday. It was entirely my daughter\’s idea. She chose to take a solo walk with just me and as we headed out the door in our sweaters she grabbed two pieces of paper and two pencils and told me we were going to write everything interesting that we see. Our very first entry was dog poop. LOL We\’re keeping that our secret find. The rest were amazing things like tulips, a huge lilac bush, a squirrel, worms, etc. Fun, in-the-moment walk.