Children are using devices from far too young an age and it is understandable that parents will want to be able to sit down and relax when they can, but it begs the question what is your kiddie going to do?
Children are using devices from far too young an age and it is understandable that parents will want to be able to sit down and relax when they can, but it begs the question what is your kiddie going to do?
At home, it is a different story your child can roam around the house and do as they like in their own environment but once out in a restaurant or a coffee shop it is must harder to placate your kid.
Here are a few ideas instead of handing over your expensive phone and downloading apps that may cost a fortune!
Plus, once your kiddie gets their hands on your phone, it will never be yours again and that will cause loads of trouble in the future…
- Colouring books and crayons - Go back to the old school days and pull out the crayons and colouring books. A tip here is to go into a cheap pound shop and grab a box of crayons and a new colouring book as this will please your child – being new and shiny!
- Jigsaws - A few jigsaws will keep your kiddie happy but be sure to get larger ones and the chunkier the better to avoid falling pieces everywhere. A child should sit happily and do them while you get some chatting time in.
- Blocks or Lego - Again the chunkier varieties are a better option unless your kids are older and will care for the bits themselves. Most kids love blocks and Lego. Building stuff is great fun after all.
- Healthy snacks - Apple slices, banana, toast or yoghurts will feed your little one and keep them quiet for a little while. Washing it down with some milk or water is a good idea too!
- DVD player and ear phones - The portable DVD player is great and while they are not used as much these days as before, they should be. For one, it isn’t your phone so if your kiddie chooses to throw it you won’t lose your phone and with earphones these are a great way for your child to watch a much-loved film without any distractions. Your phone may do the job, but a phone is not your child’s property, so you shouldn’t treat it as such.
- Books - Yes, kids do love books and they should be encouraged to read from a young age. Older kids can sit and read to themselves while younger ones should enjoy spending time looking at picture books and pressing the buttons.
- Crafts - Give your kids some wooden sticks, glue and pom poms. They may make a tiny mess, but it shouldn’t be a problem once you put some newspaper down on the table before they begin to create some cool crafts.
- Sticker books - Sticker books are loads of fun and kids usually love them. Being able to fill a book with stickers should get you lots of time to chat quietly with your friend. Even little books of stickers will do and give your child a notepad and a new fancy pen. Anything, that they can create something and have fun doing it.
Written by Emma Hayes, Staff Writer, with Family Friendly HQ.