When my kids were little, I craved a little quiet time on days they were home from school. Now that they’re older, I’m scrambling for conversation starters, things to do that don’t cost a fortune and a reason for them to want to look up from their tablets.
The YouTube Challenge
To leverage the power that YouTube has in my house, I issued my tweens a challenge. No, not like the ridiculous Tide Pod challenge, but I told them to find something you can learn to do on YouTube.
The caveat: It can’t involve Minecraft or another video game.
Credit: Giphy
They came up with some pretty fun finds — some they could do in their rooms and some that needed a little supervision.
I’m certain you can learn how to do almost anything on YouTube. Here are a few favorite topics at my house:
Rainbow Loom Videos
Rainbow loom bracelets are only the beginning. Learn how to make charms and 3-D creations like this spectacular rainbow.
Pet Care Videos
Have some free time? Why not retrain your dog or learn how to make dog-friendly treats?
How to Build LEGO _____
Fill in the blank. No, really. LEGO cars? Check. LEGO houses? Check. LEGO fidget spinners? Check. There’s a treasure trove of videos out there for that box of LEGOs in the corner of your child’s room, I promise.
By challenging my kids to make their screen time a little more productive, they win twice — they get their coveted screen time AND they engage in the real world.
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