Off-screen activities for small spaces.

Struggling to get your child engaged offline? Can’t go outside? Here are some games and activities that children love….

Hula Hoop, Footsie, Pick-Up Sticks and Jacks…

These are all fun games that burn energy, enhance fine motor skills, and build proficiency and self-confidence. It’s also great practice for kids to take turns and display good sportsmanship—social skills that have taken a hit since school has moved online.

Card games, memory games and magic tricks (with printed instructions) can act as bonus reading activities that involve memory and sequencing.

Other activities that help with this are board games (Battleship, Guess Who, Connect Four), puzzles, and building blocks (like Lego).

The plasticene type of modelling clay (as opposed to the softer versions, like Play Doh) does wonders for holding children’s attention and developing their fine motor skills. It’s also a good idea to keep an arts and crafts box handy. Fill it with cast-off materials, including some board, paper, scissors and glue, and you’ll be amazed at the creations kids can come up with! Activities like these really engage children and hold their focus.

Important note: Remember—a huge part of children enjoying a game is your presence or interaction. (Think about how often you hear, “Mummy! Daddy! Look at me!”) Even if you cannot join the game, try to put in a word of acknowledgement and encouragement. Take pictures of their building blocks and other artistic creations. Makes videos of their hula-hoop and footsie skills. Set challenges for them to increase their sustained time on an activity.