Even in this digital world, there are still ample opportunities to get off all the video screens and spend some some old-fashioned play time with your kids. What to do to keep your kids entertained without a screen, though? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen – herself a working mother of three little ones – has a curated a list of the creative new off-line analog activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts, imaginative play and outdoor structures.
its time to turn off the digital world – at least for bit
It’s official. The screen backlash has begun – at least in our home, anyway. After almost 5 weeks of social distancing and using copious numbers of screens and screen time to both educate and entertain the kids, we are starting to limit their use again.
Don’t get us wrong – we have loved and are still loving all of the great content that has become available for us to enjoy these past weeks. It’s just that we’ve found we are enjoying more and more the connection and creativity that comes when our family actually sits down and plays. Not to mention it’s another thing for the kids to do while we are trying to tackle work projects.
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And it appears that we’re on to something. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists things like family connectivity, improved mood, reduced stress and brain stimulation as just a few of the many benefits of good old-fashioned play time.
So it should come as no surprise that amid the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, play can be a powerful outlet for your child and your entire family.
With that in mind, we set out to answer the following question: what are some of the best toys, games and crafts to stifle boredom off-line? We’re pulling from our own experiences as parents, as well as the newest options we’re read about that are hitting the market.
The Best New Creative Off-line Activities for Little Kids
From creating custom comic books to opening up a mini Neiman Marcus in the comfort of your own home, here are our top 20 picks for entertaining the kids – and in many cases the whole family – in an old-school analog way.
arts and crafts
1.
We love all of the DIY kits from Kid Made Modern, but our favorite right now has to be their Comic Book Kit ($20). It’s perfect for kids obsessed with graphic novels and superheroes. And it comes with everything they need to create their own hilarious misadventures or epic superhero stories.
Kid Made Modern Comic Book Kit.
BUY NOW $20.
2.
Lego has started to move into the DIY/craft space with the launch of its 2D Lego Dots. Kids can use them to make jewelry holders, picture frames and bracelets, and you can buy “booster packs” to dress up the projects even further with fun patterns and emojis. Our pick is the colorful and fun Pineapple Pencil Holder ($20) – they can use to outfit their homeschooling desk!
Lego Dots.
BUY NOW $20.
3.
Can’t get out to see the cherry blossoms in bloom? Kids can grow their own with Norman & Jules’s Crystal Growing Cherry Tree ($8). This kit includes a paper tree form to grow crystals on, creating a blooming cherry tree. The brand also makes a Golden Aspen ($8), a Maple Tree ($8) and a Coral Reef ($14), too.
The best activities (games, toys, crafts): Norman & Jules Crystal Growing Tree.
BUY NOW $8.
4.
The slime trend is not going away, and we can see why – there’s just something so oddly satisfying about squeezing and stretching something in your hands.
The OG of it all, Play-Doh, fits that bill. And now the brand has also come out with a series of new compounds to keep little hands happy. The new Slime Variety Pack ($15) includes Play-Doh Slime, Slime Super Stretch, Krackle, Cloud and Foam, all of which feel just a little bit different to the touch.
The off-line activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts: Play Doh Slime Packs.
BUY NOW $15.
5.
The I Love Unicorns Craft Kit is a rainbow of crafting fun. It includes 6 projects perfect for the kids out there who still believe in a little magic. It includes things like a DIY unicorn headband, a how to make your own unicorn stuffie, materials to create decorative unicorn garland, and more.
The off-line activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts: Unicorns Craft Kit.
games
6.
Looking for a game the whole family can enjoy – including kids across a wide age range? Chuckle & Roar Potato Toss ($10) makes a game of hot potato fun and easy. My girls, ages 2, 7 and 9 have laughed for hours over the past four weeks tossing this musical spud around the house.
The off-line activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts: Chuckle & Roar Potato Toss.
BUY NOW $10.
7.
We love the modern and sleek design of PlanToys Foosball Table ($100). It’s small enough that you can tuck it away, but it’s crafted beautifully enough that you don’t necessarily feel the need to hide it. Not to mention that it’s easy to play, so the whole family can enjoy it together.
The off-line activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts: Plantoys Foosball ($100).
BUY NOW $100.
8.
Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games. Why not introduce your family to the 5,000 year old game with a stylish and playful Lucite Backgammon Set ($160) from Aussie brand Sunnylife?
The off-line activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts: the Sunnylife Backgammon Set.
BUY NOW $160.
9.
The Scrabble Luxury Edition ($249) is another beautiful game that is fun for the family. Kids will enjoy crafting fun words while also learning basic skills like strategy, concentration and math – not to mention, it helps build vocabulary, too.
The off-line activities best for little kids, including board games, toys, arts and crafts: the Scrabble Luxury Edition ($260).
BUY NOW $260.
10.
We’ve written about the soothing power of puzzles for adults, so why not bring the rest of your fam into the fold? Lose yourselves in a flow state by concentrating on the cheerful, chaotic illustrations that cover this 500-piece Keith Haring Puzzle ($35). The fact that the puzzle is black-and-white helps make it as challenging as it is charming.
The best activities (games, toys, crafts) during this time of social distance: Keith Haring Puzzle.
BUY NOW $35.
imaginative play
11.
Magna-Tiles were invented by a Japanese mathematics teacher who wanted to create a better hands-on experience when teaching geometric concepts in school and at home. Today, kids around the world love them because they can build almost anything they can imagine in a range of translucent and brightly colored magnetic tiles. Our advice is to get the 100 Piece Set ($110) so your kids can build big towers right from the beginning. Otherwise you will be adding set after set. Trust us.
Magnatiles.
BUY NOW $110.
12.
Play food is always a good idea in our book and it doesn’t get any more fun (or chic) than Tender Leaf Toys Charcuterie Crate ($20) and a coordinating Bread Plate ($20). Kids will definitely enjoy hours of playing picnic and kitchen with them. And you won’t mind pretending to eat such cute foods.
Tender Leaf Toys ($20).
BUY NOW $20.
13.
Kids love to pretend they own a shop. And what better way for them to do so than with a Neiman Marcus Store Playhouse ($450)? It features adorable details like tiny awnings, a red carpet and even private dressing room.
Neiman Marcus Store Playhouse.
BUY NOW $450.
14.
Kids can really get a feel for engineering and construction with the new Design and Drill Buddy Playsets from Educational Insights. Each comes with a kid-sized toy drill that helps them take apart and reassemble the toys. As of now you can choose from a Pick-up Truck ($25), a Race Car ($25) and our favorite, a Rocket Ship ($25).
The best activities(games, toys, crafts): Design and Drill Rocket Playsets.
BUY NOW $25.
15.
Take pretend play to a new level with this toy replica of a Dyson Vacuum ($69). It features a working suction that can pick up small debris like the real thing – every parent’s dream!
The off-line analog activities best for little kids, including imaginative play and outdoor toys: the Toy Dyson Vacuum.
BUY NOW $69.
outdoor toys
16.
Kids bouncing off the walls? Let them with a Vuly Trampoline ($950), rated one of the safest brands on the market. Not only is it completely netted in with an extra-tall enclosure, self closing doors and double sided foam, it’s been built to withstand UV rays and severe weather alike. Plus when the kids grow out of it, it makes for a great workout option for you, too.
The best off-line analog activities best for little kids, including imaginative play and outdoor toys: the Vuly Trampoline.
BUY NOW $950.
17.
Sidewalk chalk is nothing new, but with Renegade Sidewalk Chalk Tagging Set ($20) kids actually make the chalk themselves, mixing chalk paint together at home and then taking the finished product outside and create artwork with stencils and brushes. The kit even includes a “bandit” mask to make them feel like a true graffiti bad girl or bad boy. Watch your back, Banksy!
The best off-line analog activities best for little kids, including imaginative play and outdoor toys: Renegade Sidewalk Chalk. Tagging Set.
BUY NOW $20.
18.
Lifetime’s Geometric Dome Climber Play Center ($250) encourages strength building, balance and self-confidence – perfect for kids otherwise stuck indoors. During the evenings, you can throw a large blanket over it to create a tent for evening ghost stories to keep the fun going.
The off-line analog activities best for little kids, including imaginative play and outdoor toys: the Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center.
BUY NOW $250.
19.
You can’t go wrong with an iconic red wagon. Radio Flyer’s Big Classic Red Wagon ($150) is fun for creative outdoor play time. Kids will enjoy pulling it around on their imaginary adventures and filling it with everything they find, while parents will enjoy pulling their kids around the block for a little bit of fresh air, too.
The off-line analog activities best for little kids, including imaginative play and outdoor toys: the Radio Flyer Red Wagon.
BUY NOW $150.
20.
One of our biggest wins so far during social distancing has been the purchase of a Hauck Lightning Ride-On Pedal Go-Kart ($100). The kids love to speed around in circles, and even give one another rides across our terrace. There’s been a race to get to ride it first almost every single day – now that’s what I call a win.
The off-line analog activities best for little kids, including imaginative play and outdoor toys. Hauck Ride-On Pedal Go-Kart ($150).
BUY NOW $150.
The Best New Creative Off-line Activities for Little Kids
That’s it, our top 20 picks for harnessing the power of play while social distancing. Your kids might moan at the thought of no screens now. But in the end, it just may help your family stay a little bit happier and healthier – together.
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
Join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.