In this BIT: Stuck on how to stop doomscrolling and reduce screen time? Try these screen free activities and in person activities!
Got some free time on your hands? Often, when we find ourselves with nothing to do, we reach for the screen. A phone. A TV remote. A video game or movie. Although these are fun and easy ways to beat off a little boredom in our day, connecting with other people is shown to bring us the most happiness. Below, find out all the best activities to do to spend time with others – your friends, kids, or family, off-screen and offline!
Too much time on the phone or iPad is linked with many negative side effects. Research has shown that too much screen time can cause insomnia, back pain, vision problems, headaches, and loneliness. Many studies have discovered that individuals who are ‘screen addicted’ have shrunken or lost tissue in their brain in areas that allow for planning organization, and empathy. Less time online can allow for more time spent outdoors, better sleep, and stronger emotional comprehension skills. But what can we do when we’re bored? Keep reading for our favourite screen free activities!
Creating something with our own hands is always a fun experience. The act of combining ingredients, stirring them together, and then enjoying a tasty snack with people you care about makes for a meaningful space for conversation, laughter, and memories. Try one of these recipes. Spend quality-time making cookies, cupcakes, or another treat. If time doesn’t permit, make dinner or meal-prep meals together!
Find all the blankets and pillows around your home, and use a couch or chair for structure. Then, assemble the fort and spend some fun quality time inside! Bring a flashlight and a book, try one of these conversation starters, or play a board game together.
This is one of our favourite screen free activitie! Look for a few special items that represent the current year and stage of life of everyone in your family. Place them into a secure box or container. Once assembled, bury it in the backyard and set a date to uncover it!
This skill is fun and easy to learn! The best part? Everyone makes a bracelet they love, plus gain the skill to make a bracelet for anyone else in their life. Try this tutorial.
An activity designed for kids to learn happy habits and for everyone to spend time together as a family. Pull out one card a day – be it a conversation starter or activity idea – and allow for everyone to discover what brings them happiness. Each card features one of four happiness characters, too! Learn alongside Happy the Unicorn, Spikey the Dinosaur, Cloud and Marshmallow the Sheep.
Overall, there are so many ways to connect and spend time with family and friends without a screen. We hope that these activities help you stop doomscrolling, and bring you and your loved ones a Small Bit of Happiness.
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
Featuring quick videos created for teens by teens.
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