Screen Free Week is coming up May 1st-7th! Here are 10 fun activities to keep the kids busy and engaged.
1. Get outside!
Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and get outside. Head over to Forest Park (the zoo is now open!) or check out one of our many Massachusetts State Parks. Take a hike at Mt. Tom or go for a bike ride at Ashley Reservoir (Holyoke).
2. Indoor fun is an option.
This is a perfect time to visit the Springfield libraries, Springfield museums or get some energy out at Bounce (trampoline park) or Interskate 91 South (roller skating, laser tag & more).
3. Take a drive!
Visit the many interesting things to do in the surrounding areas! McCray's Farm (S. Hadley), Children's Museum at Holyoke, Ecotarium (Worcester), The Apple Place (East Longmeadow), Connecticut Science Center (Hartford), Amelia Park Children's Museum (Westfield), Look Park (Florence), Hilltop Farm Creamery (Suffield), Sonny's Place (Somers, CT), and more. There are so many fun things to do in the surrounding Springfield area.
4. Pull out the board games.
Get competitive and have fun together as a family! My favorite is a game of Uno cards, but any board game is sure to have everyone giggling and enjoying themselves. Think Scrabble, Sorry! or Monopoly.
5. Cook or bake together.
I have been meaning to bake some hot cross buns for the kids. I know they'd have a blast helping make them - and would enjoy eating some hot, fresh out of the oven sticky buns. Make a list of recipes you've been meaning to try or cook a favorite meal together as a family. Even better: enjoy a picnic meal outside!
6. Visit with extended family.
Screen free time can be turned into quality family time together. Invite cousins, aunts & uncles or grandparents over for a cup of tea or lemonade. Maybe play a game of charades.
7. Get creative!
Do some crafts, make homemade cards or try your hand at making your own piñata! Making a piñata is surprisingly easy! And once completed, fill with your favorite candies and break it apart.
8. Recreate old photos and have a family photo shoot.
This is sure to get everyone's interest! Pull out some baby or old family photos and recreate them.
9. Spring cleaning!
This may not be everyone's favorite thing to do, but why not use this time to purge and organize?! After the spring cleaning haze has settled, go out for frozen yogurt or ice cream as a family. Rice Fruit Farm (Wilbraham) has some of the best ice cream around!
10. Start a garden.
Whether you use grow bags or plant into the ground, Screen Free Week is a great time to work on a flower or vegetable garden. My kids love going outside every day to check on our strawberry plants. Get outside, get some vitamin D, breathe in fresh air and get your hands dirty!
Screen Free Week is a great opportunity to create new habits and spend time together as a family. It's also a great time to remember that while screens are helpful - they are not what's most important in life!
End the week with some family fun at The Depot at Graham Central Station! Sunday, May 7th from 10AM-2PM.
