As children, my sibs and I entertained ourselves outside of the house most of the time, the way human children have done since the beginning.
Playing soccer, playing hide 'n seek, playing EVERY sport you can think of, just running for an hour with a friend and chatting, doing stupid and dangerous and fun things like trying to see who who can go over a high-jump bar the highest or climbing a tree, and so on. Sledding in the snow. Swimming and playing in someone's backyard pool. Building a fort in the snow or from boxes. Just sitting on the porch steps and talking about whatever. Building something, fixing a bike or adding a doo-dad, writing and putting on a play (can also be done indoors, of course).
Kids will entertain themselves for zero dollar cost when given the chance, and when NOT given the idea that they need expensive stuff in order for life to function as it should.
Plus, this kind of natural, self-directed play is REAL LIFE. It teaches. It develops social competence. It keeps the child fit and healthy. It stays with you for a lifetime.
Get them outside, on their own, if that's possible where you live, without any "technology" and without adult-directed activity of any kind. If you live where that wouldn't be safe, drive them out to where it is or better still, move.
Being outside, doing whatever the child is interested in, is the path to a healthy body and a strong, free, and agile mind.
Push 'em outside.
As children, my sibs and I entertained ourselves outside of the house most of the time, the way human children have done since the beginning.
Playing soccer, playing hide 'n seek, playing EVERY sport you can think of, just running for an hour with a friend and chatting, doing stupid and dangerous and fun things like trying to see who who can go over a high-jump bar the highest or climbing a tree, and so on. Sledding in the snow. Swimming and playing in someone's backyard pool. Building a fort in the snow or from boxes. Just sitting on the porch steps and talking about whatever. Building something, fixing a bike or adding a doo-dad, writing and putting on a play (can also be done indoors, of course).
Kids will entertain themselves for zero dollar cost when given the chance, and when NOT given the idea that they need expensive stuff in order for life to function as it should.
Plus, this kind of natural, self-directed play is REAL LIFE. It teaches. It develops social competence. It keeps the child fit and healthy. It stays with you for a lifetime.
Get them outside, on their own, if that's possible where you live, without any "technology" and without adult-directed activity of any kind. If you live where that wouldn't be safe, drive them out to where it is or better still, move.
Being outside, doing whatever the child is interested in, is the path to a healthy body and a strong, free, and agile mind.