Remember the summers before screen time? The long days that felt endless, water fights and the boredom that somehow always turned into creativity. That's the magic of an "analogue summer".
Here’s how to give your children the kind of summer memories you had.
Putting the phone away
There are so many ways to digital detox or just take some time off the screen. Using a social media blocker like Brick will help you be more present, but also help stop your kids from asking to use your phone. Less scrolling, more memory making.
If you don’t want to invest in a brick, even just place your phone in a holder rather than on your person. Not carrying it with you everywhere. Take it a step further with a phone holder on the wall, somewhere communal like the kitchen or hallway. You could buy one or make it a quick craft project together. Hanging the phone up, literally.
Crafts
Learning a new craft together is a great way to create lasting memories and have phone-free time. Friendship bracelet making is a perfect craft. It's screen-free, it's sociable, and every finished bracelet is a tiny keepsake.
Bucket list
Before the last few weeks of the holidays disappear, sit down together and write a list of everything you want to do before school starts. It gives your summer a bit of routine, gives the kids things to be excited about, and gives you a log of your summer activities to look back on.
Using the post-dinner light
Why not make the most of the brighter evenings, while you can? That golden hour after dinner is made for a walk, playing outside, or just being outside before bed. It's a small ritual, but it's the kind kids remember.
Get them involved in dinner
Turn cooking into the activity, not the chore. Let them stir, chop (with supervision), or plate up. They'll feel involved, pick up a new skill, dinner becomes something you did together, and a lasting memory.
