How to keep kids busy? An age-old dilemma that has baffled and beaten even the most weathered parents for generations. When it’s said that it takes a village to raise a child, nothing else could be truer. It really does take it all you’ve got, and then some. Here are some best games to keep your kids busy.
Coming up with newer, better ways to entertain your child, keeping a balance between what they need and what they want, all while also maintaining your own sanity is a feat only parents can do. It’s nothing less than a super power.
Why is it so hard to keep kids busy?
It’s no secret that kids have shorter attention spans as compared to adults. But how short are we talking about. According to Brain Balance Centers, kids between the age of 2 and 10 only have an attention span of 4 to 30 minutes.
With an attention span that short, kids are bound to get bored quickly and jump from one thing to another. If they do not have a toy or an activity at hand to focus their attention to, they will demand your attention.
And then you will have to cater them unless you provide them with another thing that fancies their attention. It’s a vicious cycle.
Keeping Kids busy in Covid time
Normally, school provided a relief to parents from their full-time job of entertaining their kids. But during a pandemic, when all schools are closed, and learning is done via a screen from home, parents all around the world found themselves in a middle of a tough scene. Not only they had to entertain their kids after school, now they had to co-teach, watch and keep their child engaged during school as well.
With children being most vulnerable from a deadly virus like this, they had nothing to do except stay at home round the clock, and parents had to bear the ultimate brunt. The attention span increases with age and several practices. But what about those early years – where thinking of new ways of child entertainment is a full time job.
Considering all this, it hardly comes as a surprise that parents are constantly in search of high quality toys, games and activities to keep their kids engaged and productive.
Is screen time the ultimate answer?
One such most popular method is screen time. Kids love screen time; there’s no denying that. It’s convenient for parents, kids can stay hooked to a screen for hours without uttering a word, but is it a viable solution?
No, it’s not. In fact, an unregulated screen time has been linked to an array of issues like obesity, weak eye sight, lack of sleep or irregular sleep hours, unexpected behavior issue, and even violence.
Why prefer other games/activities over screen time?
It’s been proved that children benefit the most from unstructured or open end play. Such activities require your child to use their creative and motor skills, and thus encourage their mental and physical development.
Another great way to keep your kids engaged to an activity for hours is playing games. Card Games, board games and other such kids games that require presence of mind, ability to think quickly and respond quickly.
Here are the top picks for 5 best games to keep your kids busy – lockdown friendly!
Uno Card Game
Wholesome family entertainment can’t get better than this. 2 to 10 players can play this game at once, making it a wonderful card game choice for game nights, or big families.
UNO is a classic card game in which you have to match a card in your hand to the card on top of the deck either by color or number. A player has to reach 500 points to win a game. Do not worry if you do not know how to play UNO. It’s extremely easy to lean, and once you learn it, it’ll be impossible to stop playing it. You’ll get hooked.
This game will have the same effect on your kids who want something new and entertaining every other minute. Pull out a deck of UNO cards and watch them focus their entire attention on winning the game.
Where to get it: Mattel Uno Card Game
Pokémon Card Game
With a card game like this, even you will be tempted to join in with your kids. Pokémon craze stared with the Pokémon cartoon which first aired on Cartoon Network. A group of young kids go on an adventure collecting new and exciting Pokémon and then participate in tournaments and battles.
It appealed to the large majority of kids and thus started the whole Pokémon phenomenon. To this day, people collect valuable Pokémon cards and flaunt their collection. This intense 2-player game will keep your kid hooked for hours especially if they are a fan of Pokémon or Pokémon Go.
This card game, Pokémon Battle Academy, also comes with guides so that the very first game easy to follow, although no need to read it if you consider yourself an experienced Pokémon Master. Parents can plan a whole activity around this game by playing Pokémon cartoon marathon and discussing which Pokémon are your kids favorite and why.
Where to get it: Pokémon Battle Academy Card Game
Snakes & Ladders Game
Sometimes you don’t need very expensive things to keep your kids engaged and entertained. Sometimes the fun can come from something as simple and inexpensive as a classic snakes & Ladders board. This age old board game has provided wholesome family fun to thousands of families over many years.
Just roll the dice and start an exciting game of triumphs or getting bitten by a snake and climbing down several numbers. This easy to play game is sure to keep your kids engaged for quite some time while you can relax nearby and watch your kids enjoy the game.
Where to get it: Snakes & Ladders Family Board Game Set
Table-Top Football Game
Be it kids or adults, everyone loves a good table-top football game. It provides hours of wholesome fun. A table-top football game can be set upon any table and it comes with 12 players, a ball, slider score boards, and an assembly and guides manual.
The best feature of this table top game is that it is lightweight and portable. It can be stored away when it’s not being played with. The table has a sturdy built and can be used for years with proper care, hence making it a wonderful and reliable game activity for your kids. Even you can indulge in a game session with your kid on this table-top football game.
Where to get it: Power Play Table-Top Football Game
There’s no denying that Corona has done irreparable damage to millions of people around the world. It has wreaked havoc in day-to-day routines of children and adults alike.
Since children are generally more outgoing, not going out is bound to make them more irritable and whiny. But as a parent, one should realize that this change of routine is as hard for them to accept as it is for you.
So instead of taking it all negatively, now would be the perfect time to bond with your children and plan family activities that will not only provide wholesome family entertainment but also keep your kids engaged in games like Card Games, Spelling Games and be a source of so many of their precious memories that they will hold dear their entire life.
