Unplug with these Family-Friendly Activities for Kids

More than ever you need to Unplug with Family Friendly Activities for Kids. If you are determined to keep your kids off the tube, iPad or iPhone- FEAR NOT! I have put together a list of eight activities that all families can indulge in- which will help you all reconnect- have some good old-fashioned fun and don't require any kind of PLUGGED IN fluorescent lighting! 

#1 Work on a jigsaw puzzle. If you can't seem to find one in your humble abode get thee to the nearest Dollar store- you can stock up on five  for FIVE DOLLARS!

#2 Go for a walk with your dog. And if you don't have a dog- borrow your neighbor's and offer to walk theirs ( not only will you get in some much needed exercise but you'll be doing a good deed in the process!)

#3 Try a new recipe. Open up your cabinets and let your kids experiment! We took snickers bars and cut them in bitty pieces and microwaved them on graham crackers.

#4 Volunteer at an animal rescue or shelter. There is Always something an animal rescue group shelter needs help with! Feeding , walking, cleaning and or just playing with these animals who could use some love while they wait and hopefully get adopted by a family! 

#5 Arrange photos/keepsakes in a family Scrap book. If you are like me you probably have a gazillion photos and keepsakes/drawings/ kid awards/ laying around your house in a box or stacked in a pile. Grab your kids and have them help you sort through your memories and keepsakes and organize them in a scrapbook! This is a great way to relive some of your most precious experiences and to do a little cleaning without it feeling like a chore!

#6 Play a BOARD GAME! You know you have at least one game in your house! Break out the Monopoly, Life, Candyland, Scrabble or any board game and JUST play. You will be surprised by how much fun they can be– we are actually big on CONNECT FOUR and Chess. Don't forget Jacks, Pickup Sticks and a good old-fashioned card game of SPIT can be fun too!

#7 Read Aloud from a chapter book. Take turns reading to each other. Its a great way to help your kids brush up on their reading skills, to get their heads in a book- and then to have a little discussion afterwards to see just how well their reading comprehension skills measure up! Some books we like: Aesop's Fables and The Brothers Grimm.

#8 Play Charades. Think it is a lost art form- Think again! You will be surprised at how clever your kids can be and at how much fun you will have trying to figure out the answers!

There are so many things you can do instead of watching TELEVISION! So grab your family and UNPLUG today!

And in addition Here are some ways to Unplug with these Family Friendly Activities for Kids thanks to the book UNPLUG: 365: Fun, Family-Friendly Activities for Kids (Weldon Owen; 9/22)