This spring, we’ve been putting more focus on mental health! This past year has definitely been a different one, and we are looking at ways to better support girls with their mental health. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our time spent behind our screens has increased between working from home, virtual school, and connecting with loved ones from a distance. Increased screen-time can make us feel mentally drained and can be bad for our eyes over time, so it’s important to try to take screen-free breaks throughout the day and avoid spending more than a few hours consecutively in front of the screen.
To help combat this, lifetime Girl Scout and Occupational Therapy Doctorate student, Alyssa, came up with a round-up of activity ideas for you and your family to engage in that are safe and screen-free! We’ve also created a Bingo card to help you keep track of some of the activities that you’re doing!
Get active
- Have an impromptu dance party
- Create an obstacle course out of furniture or other household items
Game on!
- Have a family board game night. Don’t own any board games? Try creating your own!
- Play active games such as tag, hide and seek, Simon says, charades, etc.
- Have a “minute to win it” inspired game challenge
- Learn a new card game or play an old favorite
- Engage in brain games like word searches, crossword puzzles, and sudoku
- Create your own scavenger hunt
- Solve a puzzle
Spend time outdoors
- Stargaze. Can you find any constellations?
- Watch the clouds. What shapes do you see?
- Go for a walk
- Play with bubbles
- Play outside
- Have a picnic lunch
Get creative
- Create a craft. Pinterest has 100’s of simple ideas!
- Make origami
- Cook or bake something new with your family
- Do a fun science experiment such as elephant toothpaste, Alka-Seltzer rockets, or slime.
- Color
- Create your own skit
- Write a song or practice a musical instrument
- Learn a new skill
- Create Mad-libs
Take time to relax
- Have a spa night
- Have a tea party
- Read a favorite book
- Do yoga
- Make home-made ice cream in a bag