Some days we are ALL for the screen time, BUT some days we feel like our kids need a break. For those days, I have created a little list of things we are currently using (and enjoying). I incorporate these games and activities either as breaks during school time, quiet time while the littles (or mom) are napping, or supplements to our normal schoolwork. Can you say FRIDAYS when we are all DONE!
I purchased all of these off of Amazon, because we were moving around a lot in our RV and I need reliable pickup times and locations. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t LOVE Amazon.
My kids and I enjoy learning random facts and with all the car time traveling, these are fun to read. Brixton (5 years old) and I read his cards together before nap time and he really enjoys them. They challenge the kids enough, but are still “fun”. Plus, I had them when I was a kid and remembered how much I enjoyed them. Don’t tell my kids that, they might not want to read them anymore.
SUPER FUN GAME ALERT! The adults and kids in our family enjoy this game! Brixton and I usually are on a team, but Knoxton (9 years old) plays by himself. The goal is to get the most points by building trains across North America. The company sells different versions, like Europe or Asia, so you can pick what would interest your family most. Maybe your kids are learning about Africa in school this year and you would like to reinforce geography, while incorporating fun game play.
The boys can play this one by themselves. The cards give them a starting point of which pieces they will need and they have to finish the circuit puzzle and make the lights light up. The cards range from easy to expert, so even my five-year-old enjoys this one by himself. He loves puzzles and solving things, so this one fit the bill.
No Stress Chess and Magnetic Chess Board
We have started teaching the boys to play chess as an extracurricular. No Stress Chess has a board which (1) shows where the pieces go and (2) has cards where Brixton can draw a card which shows him a piece he should move and HOW the piece moves. Knoxton on the other hand doesn’t need the help and caught on fairly quickly. The magnetic chess board is great if you are in the car a lot or if you have a 1 year old sister who likes to disrupt a game and hit the board, destroying the entire game. Sigh.
NO MESS and GREAT FOR YOUNG KIDS! Lawsyn (1 years old) loves to play on this. It is a mat that she draws on with “pens” and “paintbrushes” you fill with water. The water eventually evaporates and leaves the mat clean again. I also use this with my big kids when they are practicing their spelling words or dictation.
Design and Drill Activity Center
Honestly, all my kids still play with this toy. This is a plastic board with screws and a battery powered screwdriver and regular screwdriver. It reinforces fine motor skills and introduces STEM. Pattern cards are included so the older kids can try and duplicate the design, but they also like to create their own designs as well.
I hope this helps get your brain flowing and helps to give you ideas to keep your kids entertained, while also feeling good about what they are doing.
Let me know what your kids enjoy playing with! I love hearing from other people what their kids enjoy.
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XO,
The Fabulous Life of an RV Wife
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