It’s been the winter of never-ending snow days here in Kansas City. We’ve hardly had any snow for the past several winters and Mother Nature is trying to make up for all of that right now. Between regularly scheduled days off from school and unexpected snow days, I don’t even remember the last time my children had a full week of school. November?
We’re all in survival mode right now, so the screen time flows abundantly around this house, but I do make my children alternate between “screens” and “not screens” at regular intervals throughout the day.
Somehow my children always know exactly what they want to play with during screen time, but when it comes to “not screens,” my smart and creative six-year-old suddenly acts like he’s never played with another toy in his entire life.
“But, Mo-om, I don’t know what to do!”
My most frequent response? “Well then be bored.” Boredom is great for kids, as it turns out, so I still maintain that this response is totally legit. But, at least in my house, this phrase doesn’t quickly inspire my children to the kind of independent play that allows me to return to my own work (or much-needed alone time, depending on how many snow days we’ve had in a row). Verbally listing off options has the same (non) effect.
But a few months ago I made these “activity option cards” and they are somehow the magic tools to remind my children how to play. If I tell them “play with your cars” I frequently get back arguments of “I don’t feel like it” or just grumpy stares. But if the CARDS suggest they play with their cars, suddenly it’s a good idea.
A hastily written list also worked pretty well for my six-year-old, but since I also have a preschool daughter who can’t read, these picture cards allow her to use them, too. Plus the visual and reusable nature of these cards appeal to both of my children, and to me.
Obviously, the cards I made are very specific to the ages of my children (3 and 6), and their particular interests and toys. My very literal preschooler does best when the photos are of the *exact* toys that we have. Older children may do better with more “symbolic” photos. Still, I am happy to share the document I made in case you are able to easily print and use some of them, or maybe they just inspire you to make your own version!
DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITY CARD PDF FILE HERE!
Once you print the cards you can just keep them in an envelope (we move ours from the green to the blue envelope when the activity has been completed), hole punch them and keep them on a binder ring, or even put them in photo pages for easy viewing.
Depending on your child’s personality, you could use the cards in a variety of ways:
- Let the child pick out 4 or 5 cards at the beginning of the day to act as a checklist. Once they complete an activity, move it to the back of the pile or into a separate envelope. Repeat until all the cards have been completed. Repeat if necessary.
- Choose one at a time. Whenever it’s time for a new activity have the child pick a new idea card from the stack.
- Limit options by having an adult pick two or three cards and then letting the child pick from just those activities.
- If your child likes surprises and spontaneity, or has a hard time with choices, make it into a game and have them blindly choose a card from the stack. Whatever the card says goes! (Maybe consider giving them one or two opportunities to “pass” if something just really doesn’t appeal.)
- Use the cards to earn screen time! Set the number of activities a child needs to do (be sure and set a minimum time for each, too) and then have your child turn in the completed cards in exchange for a screen time allotment.
You know your child’s personality (and your own) the best! Do whatever works best for your family. Whether you are trying to survive snow days, sick days, or just the weekend, I wish you the best of luck, friends!
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