35 NO SCREEN Activities For Kids

Do you worry about how much screen time your child gets?
Do you know how much is too much?

I know we've all seen or heard the phrase "Cut the Cable". It is one of the latest trends in television watching.

I also know that it is mainly due to the economy and people trying to find ways to cut back costs, save a few bucks a month, or to get a better selection of what they view. Why pay for channels and programs you don't watch!?

But, what about cutting out screen time completely?

Okay, not completely, 100 % of the time.  I just mean cutting...wayyy back.

Did you know that using game systems, tablets, cell phones, and computers, are also considered screen time?
Studies have shown the many effects that too much screen time or stimulation can cause on children.
Did you know that too much screen time can affect children's sleep patterns, eating habits, and over all physical health? It can also cause difficulties in school, difficulty focusing for long periods, and behavior issues; such as, aggression, depression, social anxiety, and more.
Check this out:
Screen Free

Do you have NO SCREEN DAYS?

I used to. When we had our own home, we were cable free for over three years. We also had days when I didn't allow the televisions to be turned on at all! No tablets, television, game systems, computers, and occasionally they could listen to music or have ear buds for a limited time on those days.

Those days we had to find other ways to occupy our hours.

I admit some days seemed to drag on and some days I caved in and let the television be turned on. We aren't perfect, but making a conscious decision to try and limit screen time for everyone is a good step.

I know for some, this task is easier than it is for others. Most of us have had access to all these devises for quite a few years, and our children most likely have never been without at least one of them.

Remember the days of one "family TV", with 3 channels and everyone had to watch the same show or nothing at all.

Ah, those were the days. For myself, no screen days is pretty simple

Oh, wait, oops. No scratch that!

I do my work on the computer, mostly have my phone at the ready; constantly checking emails, texts, etc.

See, we all need a little less visual stimulation in our lives!

How are we going to do this NO Screen Thing?

Well, I'm glad you asked! I've come up with a list of 35 NO SCREEN Activities For Kids!

Hey, parents! Don't be afraid to join in.

Children learn by example!

1.Read a book

2. Do sidewalk chalk/play hopscotch

3.Sing a song-silliest wins!

4. Color/draw/paint

5.Build with blocks or Legos

6.Do a puzzle/jigsaw/maze

7. Run a race

8. Play dress up

9.Build a blanket fort

10.Play in the sand or dirt or mud!

11.Play a card game or board game

12.Have a scavenger hunt

13. Play I Spy or Would you Rather

14. Walk to a park

15. Play a game of catch or wiffle ball

16. Throw a Frisbee

17. Write a letter

18. Play career, be a doctor, teacher, veterinarian 

19.Play grocery store or restaurant- cashier/customer

20.Have a water balloon fight

21.Blow bubbles, make a water station

22.Call a friend, grandma, cousin

23. Make a snack, create a recipe

24. Go to a farm or petting zoo

25. Play with play-doh(who doesn't love this stuff...right?)

26.Give your toys a wash/clean up

27. Do arts and crafts

28. Play school

29. Play with a pet you have

30. Make homemade slime

31. Have a picnic indoors or outside

32. Go watch a ball game

33. Ride a bike, skateboard, scooter, roller skates

34. Go to the library

35. Go bowling

I hope this list gives you some great ideas for your NO SCREEN days!

Crayola has a ton of great arts and craft supplies and craft ideas.

Ticketmaster is a wonderful place to find deals and discounts on so many events. Concerts, games, plays, and more

Be sure to check both of those out for amazing ideas!

I would love to hear any other ideas you've found!

Sharing is caring!

What's That Quote? #21(Parenting)

It's Monday again y'all!
Who's ready for today's quote and tidbits of my life?

This quote made me chuckle a bit at first, and then I thought...
Wow! This is pretty accurate!

I have three daughters. Their ages are pretty spread out.

They are 20, 15, and almost 5 years old. You would think by now, with 20 years experience under my apron, I would have figured out how to drive this bus! I thought so too.
Apparently Martha(the name my girl's gave our real GPS) has other plans!

To be honest with y'all, most days I am just as lost as I was in 1998 when I brought home my first wrinkled and crying bundle of hunkin' love.
I have no clue where we are headed most days. There is no point in planning our route.
God, or the weather, someone, or something in life is going to be thrown in my path of peace and say..."Recalculating!"

And, I am sure y'all are familiar enough with life to know that by the time you get turned around; you've missed the next step/turn anyway and are now just winging it and hoping to reach your destination unscathed, and before they run out of chicken nuggets, or have to go potty in the backseat.

Short and sweet for today:
Parenthood is basically driving around in your mini van, cranking up the radio, dodging crayons being thrown at the back of your head, tuning out your little's pleas, trying to figure out what the sh*t that smell is, wondering if that light on the dash is important, Did I remember my wallet, and hoping you are headed in the right direction.

I have already made coffee, made the bed, dealt with a toddler melt down, taken daughter #1 to work, daughter #2 to doctor, then to school, then back home, gotten laundry gathered,...oh, and wrote a whole post(pics included) all before 10 am!

How's your Monday morning going?

What are your parenting U turns you deal with?

Remembering the Holocaust: Book List *Updated List*

" Fear makes you weak, anger makes you strong."
Irena Sendler

*This post contains affiliate links

The Holocaust, which was a genocide of Jews and anyone not considered of their "pure Aryan race"; officially began on January 30, 1933, when Adolf Hilter became Chancellor of Germany.

For the next twelve years, Nazis and their supporters, humiliated, tortured, and killed over 6 million Jews and almost 5 million others. Gypsies, Jewish supporters, handicapped, homosexuals, and anyone they feared were not like them.

VE Day, May 8, 1945 officially marks the end of WWII by the formal surrender by German Forces.

January 30, 1933- May 8, 1945

While, I understand dates, statistics, and facts are a huge part of learning history, and figuring out who done what, when, where and why; I want this post to be more about the actual people.

I have always been intrigued by the history of the Holocaust. For me, it is one of the most fascinating and tragic wars ever. 

The first time I ever heard of it was probably around grade 5 or 6. Yes, reading The Diary of Anne Frank. While I didn't have the mentality to fully grasp the severity, nor the horror of these events; I was captured by her! I truly believe my learning of Anne Frank and hearing her story is where I began my love of reading and being fascinated by people. Real people who have shared their stories, their truths, their lives with the world.

I am always in awe of the things people endure. The strength that we as humans have. Not just physically, but emotionally, and mostly spiritually.

How amazing their lives are.

That is what I want to share with you.

I want to pass on some of these wonderful books. I want you to learn who the people were, not just the events. These are real life people who lived through trials, tragedies, turmoils, and came out triumphant!

They are sharing their own lives with us. Whether it be to educate, to cleanse themselves, or just for a chance to be heard. 

These are their stories.

**UPDATED LISTS**

Here is a list of some of the books I have read personally.

You can click here to read more about each one: Goodreads: Holocaust and WWII Book List

1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Anne Frank

2. Behind the Secret Window- Nelly S. Toll

3. The Secret Holocaust Diaries- Nonna Bannister

4. Sarah's Key-Tatiana De Rosnay

5. The Nazi Officer's Wife-Edith Hahn Beer

6. Thanks for My Journey- Erica Miller

7. The Seamstress- Sara Tuvel Bernstein

8. A Lucky Child- Thomas Buergenthal

9. Witnesses to War- Michael Leapman

10. The Last Train- Rona Arato

11. Irena's Children- Mary Cronk Farrell

12. The Hiding Place- Corrie Ten Boom

13. Don't Forget To Write- Pam Hobbs

These books below are considered Historical Fiction. I still highly recommend them!

14. One eye laughing, the Other Weeping(Dear America)- Barry Denenberg

15. A Faraway Island-Annika Thor

16. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel- Louise Murphy

17. Block 11- Piero Degli Antoni

18. While We're far Apart- Lynn Austin

19. Between Shades of Grey- Ruta Sepetys

20.The Lily Pond- Annika Thor

These books are by far some of my favorites of all the books I have read.
Be sure to also check out A Novel Experience my blog dedicated to all things I love about books!

**Updated**

A few more I have read more recently,

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel

River In the Sea by Tina Boscha

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

I also wanted to list a few people that I recommend learning about. Some "heroes or heroines" of the Holocaust

Corrie Ten Boom

Irena Sendler

Oskar Schindler

Nancy Wake

"You see a man drowning, you must try to save him. Even if you cannot swim."

Irena Sendler

I hope you enjoy this list and will read as many as you wish!

What are your favorite stories/books?

I would love to know and add to my own list!

Please Share!!