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Honey, I unplugged the kids

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With a long school break upon us, the temptation is strong for kids to spend hours on end staring at a screen of some sort, be it a phone, tablet, computer or TV.

Every parent wishes their child to be healthy and active by engaging, exploring and enjoying experiences that take their world beyond the four walls of their bedrooms. With the abundance of apps and games that encourage children to live their imaginary world online, technology can also be used effectively by parents to find their kids a multitude of real-world outdoor and indoor pursuits.

“Technology is part of our everyday lives, but it doesn’t necessarily have to confine our children to online pursuits. The tech space encompasses so much more than just static, sit-down-and-play or scrolling activities. Parents can pick from a wide range of cutting-edge tools to encourage their children to spend less time ‘plugged in’ and more time discovering what the world has to offer them,” says Kevin Tucker, founder of PriceCheck.

Here are some top ideas suitable for every child and every budget:

  • For exploration on a shoestring, old-school technology still does the trick. A butterfly magnifying glass is a great tool to help your kids learn about bugs the fun way - by getting up close to check out their beautiful features.

  • Remember chemistry sets? Well with new technology, they’re more exciting than ever before. With a crystal growing kit, kids can grow their own beautiful crystals that glow in the dark. For kids who want to help save the Earth, innovative eco science kits teach scientific principles using cool experiments with recycled materials lying about the house.

  • For those more musically inclined, an electronic keyboard encourages imagination, strengthens finger power, and develops hand-eye coordination. Family concerts will never be the same again. 

  • Have your kids always wanted an aquarium but you can’t deal with the constant upkeep of a tank? You’ll want to get your hands on an Aquabot – a robotic fish that really swims! Each fish is fitted with a water-activated sensor which brings it to life. It can be set to motion in a sink, a bathtub or even your swimming pool!

Tucker says, “Previous generations used to play and explore and now technology can inspire our children to do the same in the safety of their homes or back yards. By comparing prices and shopping online, your smartphone or tablet can unlock real-time, real-life activities for your kids from the comfort of your own home and at the click of a button, creating opportunities to bond and engage the family in fun in new and exciting ways.”

How are you getting your kids to unplug this holiday? Send us your ideas to chatback@parent24.com and they could be published.

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