60+ Activities for Screen-Free Week {2013}

I’ve come up with some activities for a screen-free week along with a list of goals for a screen-free week. I’m so thankful to the Kid’s Blogger Network for the inspiration! Technology has come such a long way, and it’s a huge part of today’s society. But sometimes we get so dependent on our screens and devices that we forget to be present with our children and students. Choose some activities from the list below and keep busy, engaged, and present during screen-free week!

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I am so excited to be partnering with The Educators’ Spin On It and other fabulous blogs from the Kids Blogger Network for Screen-Free Week! I hope you can take the challenge with us and unplug from April 29 through May 5. If you’d like more information, please check out Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood’s “Celebrate Screen-Free Week”.

As I mentioned in my “Goals for Screen-Free Week”, my household will be participating with our own little “twists”. I have set goals for myself, as well as Engineer. I’m hoping this week will help us to “reset” and develop a plan of action for using screen-time more frugally.

Below, I’m sharing some ideas for Screen-Free Week. I hope this list inspires you and your family to step away from the television, the computer, the tablets, the smartphones, and the video games. If you try any of these ideas, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments section below.

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Be a Scientist!

Use Jell-O and vinegar to make colorful explosions – Make your own “flags” to explore the wind – Make crystal snowflakes (or other shapes) with borax – Experiment with water and oil – Explore the inside of fruits and vegetables – Make a mess with shaving cream and cornstarch – More science activities for kids

Be an Artist!

Draw pictures for Marines (or other servicemen and women)- Create Styrofoam sculptures – Paint with natural items – Explore circles – Use fruit to make prints – Create a patchwork elephant based on Elmer – Paint self-portraits – More painting projects for kids

Get Outside!

Play at a local park or playground – Go for a bike ride – Play in the mud – Go for a walk together – Play with chalk and water on the sidewalk – Play basketball – Go on a nature walk or a leaf hunt

Be Authors Together!

Make a book about the farm – Use art and book-making to tell The Gingerbread Man story – Use Post-Its to label the house – Create Name Books – Write and draw together – Make a book about silly monsters – Write secret messages – Hold a taste test and record the results

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Read a Book! (some affiliate links have been added for your convenience)

Duck on a Bike – Read rhyming books together – Penny Lee and Her TV – I Can Read with my Eyes Shut – Doug Unplugged – Wild About Books

Create a Sensory Bin!

Coffee and flowers – Water beads and ice – Rainbows and coins – Pine cones and tree branches – Shaving cream – Oats – Colored ice – Soapy dishes – More sensory play ideas

On top of all those fun ideas, we have a blog hop just for Screen-Free Week! Come on by and check out what others are sharing between now and May 12.

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Hands-On Preschool Materials

It is imperative that we keep our classrooms stocked with materials that will give our students the hands-on learning experiences that they love (and need!). There are a few specific things that I always keep on hand in my classroom. Check them out in the list below.

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

When it comes to preschool, this list is really just skims the surface of the wide variety of materials that can be used. The best thing about this age group is that they learn the most while playing. So, whether they’re playing on the playground, building with blocks, or creating a masterpiece, rest assured that the children are learning so many important skills, all while having fun!

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 has created some amazing preschool lesson and activity plans that will be perfect for your classroom. Click on the images below to learn more about some of our fun resources!