Screen Free Family Nights

Why schedule a screen free family night? 

Screen free family nights can be such a great thing to include into you week or month. It can allow you to do something different as a family and really be present with each other. Now don't get me wrong, I love technology and as a family we enjoy our screen time. While I am writing this my little dude is cuddled into me watching paw patrol. He is in the process of giving up his nap and if this buys me some time, well, so be it. 
I am also quite enjoying Just Dance 2020 on the Xbox as well as getting quite stuck into 'my time at portia' with my eldest. We also really enjoy movie night with pizza, popcorn and cuddles on the sofa. Now I've never seen this in any mindfulness blogs or books but I am not trying to be perfect, just trying to be real. I don't want parents feeling guilty for having that screen time, its okay but how about we aim to include some screen free time too? I have found scheduling it so that you and the children know it's coming. It is also very important to see this as the opportunity for fun that it is, it is NOT a punishment!

sCREEN free ideas

• Cook Together
• Play a board game - Monopoly and scrabble are family faves here  
• Card Games
• Take a Bike ride - summer evenings are definitely more preferable in Ireland than the winter ones
• Take a walk after dinner. No destination needed, turn phones on Aeroplane mode and just enjoy what nature has to offer.
• Puzzles. I love a good jigsaw!
• Stargazing
• Lego building
• Family friendly Truth or Dare
• Talent show
• Bowling. Could go out or see if you can create your own version for even more fun! 
• Kareoke
• Flashlight Hide and seek. So much fun if children are old enough for this one!
• Craft. Crafting and mindfulness go together hand in hand.
• Tell ghost stories. My eldest loves this but obviously use your own judgement here, don't get too scary just before bed!
• Scavenger Hunt. Takes some planning!
• Make up your own play or act our a book
• Paint rocks
• Create an appreciation jar where you write something you have noticed someone in the family do that week and say how proud/ happy it made you. Can keep anonymous and read them out on this screen free night.
• Make Pizzas - ok could come under cook together but pizzas just needs a sentence of its own.
• Build a time capsule
• Read a book - we are really enjoying 'Goodnight Mister Tom' at the moment.
  
• Build a den inside - think sheets and tables.
• Create a stairs slide - safely of course… This was my best or most careless invention...… no liability this end so be careful. 
• Play show and tell
• Ask the children if they have any ideas! There imagination is amazing! Learn from them!! 

Have fun!

I hope you have fun with these ideas and if you have any more please comment below as I would love to hear them!

Let me know if you are going to be scheduling in any screen free movie nights!