Device-Free (but not screen free) ideas for the windy, wet, Typhoon days in Hong Kong
Summary
It is far from the first weather related day off this summer and school term. Your fatigue (like mine) is real, and typhoon Ragasa is expected to be a big one. With kids being off school for one day already, and routines disrupted, I know keeping kids entertained, while juggling work and life, all while living in an apartment can be challenging. We hope you find these tips helpful.
It essential to recognise that connection and belonging within the family unit is crucial for children’s emotional well-being. Slow days offer us an opportunity to create rituals that foster belonging…
This blog explores some fun, creative, device-free (but not screen-free) ideas to keep them entertained, and to keep you sane during these wet, windy, wild, Typhoon and Rain Days. All, while fostering some connection.
Some ideas to help plan the day
1. Have dedicated reading time
School and after-school routines are often crammed leaving little time to unwind and relax. This leaves little room to encourage our kids to read for pleasure. Reading, especially for pleasure, is on the decline globally. However, research shows that kids who have developed a love for reading at a younger age, continue to enjoy reading for pleasure even in teenage (and beyond) (Sullivan, 2015). Imagine, a portable paradise tucked in the pages of a book for kids to escape to (especially during those turbulent teenage years). Like classes and ECA’s, being intentional, and scheduling 30 minutes of reading time each day, ideally after lunch, and before any screen-time activities is one way to get them (and you!) turning pages of a book.
Do you know, reading to children is one of the best way to support children’s learning and school readiness. For older and independent readers, shared reading and reading out loud to your children continues to offer a myriad of benefits (Jafari & Mahadi, 2016).
2. Build together
Invite your kids to use throws, blankets, towels and build forts together. Use this safe, cozy space as their reading nook for the day! Alternatively, get them to team up and build a fort using lego, kapla, duplo blocksto keep the wind at bay.
3. Build a Jigsaw Puzzle together
Not only are jigsaw puzzles a mindful, screen-free activity, puzzlescan have our usually distracted, inattentive kids engaged (and occasionally frustrated!) for longer periods of time. Puzzles can also be a collaborative project for all members of the family to join in together. The Lion Rock Press have some interesting Hong Kong themed puzzles, suitable for a variety of ages and abilities.
Nerd Alert: You won’t be surprised to learn that jigsaw sessions have been evidenced with improved cooperation, teamwork, collaborative skills, valuable intergenerational learning, all of which contribute to improved learning outcomes? (Jeppu et.al., 2023; Ruby, 2015)
You could actually have something to show off, for your days in during Typhoon Ragasa!
4. Play Board Games together
Play, really is the language of children. Playing board games with their safe adults helps them build social, emotional skills, can support emotional regulation, while also building cognitive skills (Cès et.al. (2024).
5. Cook or Bake Together
These slow days offer the perfect opportunity to get kids involved in the daily rhythms of life. Maintain their routines and rhythms and if possible, involve them in meal preparation and cooking. It not only builds connection, but over time, it can develop a greater sense of appreciation for what is involved to sustain daily rhythms.
PS: I heard you, yes, you need to get comfortable with the mess.
6. Get outdoors (safely)
If the Typhoon-8 signal is hoisted down, and it is safe outside (but they are still off school), get outdoors. Walk around the block, scooter around the neighbourhood, and try and beat the rain back home.
7. Watch a documentary together
Watch a nature based documentary together. There are plenty of options on Netflix. We have loved the David Attenborough series and My Octopus Teacher.
You know what they say about a family that learns, laughs, and grows together…
8. Watch a Family Movie together
Take turns at choosing a family movie each day. Watching movies, connecting over funny lines, having connected conversations about the movie can be a meaningful way to connect. Here is a helpful guide if K-Pop Demon Hunters is on repeat in your home.
We hope you included popcorn in your supermarket shop yesterday!
My Love Letter to you Mama…
Finally, remember to take care of YOU Mama
Self-care on these days will look very different. Embrace the minutes you can carve out. Take whatever it takes, a shut eye, some mindless scrolling, enjoying a hot cup of tea in silence with the door shut (and the screen-sitter on), whatever it is, there is no judgment.
If you are looking for a screen-free option, consider purchasing and working through our journal, “Raising Me to Raise You“. Bite-sized content, evidence-based strategies for any day of the year, but most specially for days like this.
My Love Letter to you Mama…
Remember Mama, they, (and you) will remember the good-enough moments, with laughter, tears, (some) yells, (some) tears, the mess, and all. Embrace the chaos (inside the home) this Typhoon and stay safe.
Written by Lisel Varley
References:
Cès, P., Duflos, M., Tricard, E., Jhean-Larose, S., & Giraudeau, C. (2024). Playing board games to increase emotional competencies in school-age children and older people: A systematic review. Leisure Sciences, 1-24.
Jafari, S. M., & Mahadi, T. S. T. (2016). Reading to Children: The Importance and Advantages of the Issue. International Journal of English and Literature, 6(4), 35-44.
Jeppu, A. K., Kumar, K. A., & Sethi, A. (2023). ‘We work together as a group’: implications of jigsaw cooperative learning. BMC medical education, 23(1), 734.
Ruby, M. (2015). Family jigsaws: how intergenerational relationships between grandparents, parents, and children impact on the learning that takes place between the generations, and how this contributes to the child’s learning experiences at home and at school (Doctoral dissertation, Goldsmiths, University of London).
Sullivan, A. (2015). The life-long benefits of reading for pleasure. The School Librarian, 63(1), 5.
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