Indoor Activities
- Charades
- Painting
- Board games and electronic kits provide hours of fun activities for children. Many of them can be played with parents and siblings whereas others keep the children busy on their own. Examples of these games and kits include:
- Cooking as a family
- Reading Books
- Reading is a great alternative to media. However, words have a profound impact on young minds and it is very important that children do not read books that have inappropriate content and ideas. You can get a list of approved by Wali ul Asr’s reading team from our Web Site – Reading List
- Arts and Crafts
- Puzzles
- Indoor sports (Here are some choices that will allow children to have fun indoors when the weather does not allow for playing outside):
- Holding family discussions about various topics in which each member gets an opportunity to discuss their perspective
- Taking the opportunity to have a family discussion about how the oppressed masses in the world have suffered far greater plight for a very long time, how we have so much to be grateful for, despite the current quarantine challenges and what we could do to alleviate their suffering once things return back to normal.
- Holding commemorations at home with children reciting the Nasheeds, speeches and getting an opportunity to express their love for the Ahlal Bayt (a).
- Assigning portfolios to children for the family activities e.g. director of gardening, director of family Quran recitation and director of sports and making them responsible for ensuring that the family activity occurs according to the plan.
- Create a journal for children to paste memories of activities they have performed so this encourages them to want to do more device-less activities so they have more things to paste in their journal.
- This one is especially good for families with multiple children. Together with children, create a poster with pockets, or a tree to have papers pasted on each branch. Children should be encouraged to write on small pieces of paper what they have done in the day/week to make the Imam (ajtf) proud. Each child should have their own side on the poster.
- Make one day of the week a day in which one member of the family would teach something new to the rest of the family. It could be a topic of discussion or a new skill (e.g. drawing an elephant, cooking, explaining why some birds don’t fly, video-editing etc.). Allowing children to teach something makes them feel valued and more motivated to learn new things.
- Reorganize the house with children and let them make some of the decisions and lead others so they feel proud of the result instead of considering it a chore.
- Have a pillow fight with members of the family in a safe way
- Learn to crochet
Outdoor Activities
Nature has a therapeutic effect on children and adults. Research has shown it to be one of the most effective alternatives to media. Children who spend time outdoors are smarter, happier, attentive and less anxious (Why kids need to spend time in nature). Here are some suggestions for outdoor activities:
Winter activities – There is no reason for children to hibernate during winter as there an amazing set of possible activities including:
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- Ice skating – Once you invest in a pair of ice skates, you can go for skating for free or for a very nominal price at many locations near your home. Some of the places also allow you to rent skates and helmets. Gage Park is an example of the types of facilities provided for free by various cities. If you are looking for a memorable adventure, try the ice skating trail at arrowhead provincial park
- Sledding – The joy of coming down a steep slope on a sled while screaming loudly is an indulgence available to all families within minutes of their homes. You can go to the nearby parks and nature reserves or ask around for the slopes in the area to enjoy this wonderful activity. If you live near Brampton, try the Major Oaks hill this winter.
- Snowboarding, Skiing and Snowshoeing – Snowboarding and skiing is fun but can be expensive and daunting. For those who are not too keen about going down on slopes, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing presents a good starting point. Public facilities in cities often organize training for winter sports and are typically less expensive than the resorts.
- Ice fishing – For those who love fishing, winter is no reason to stop catching fish. It is a great experience and allows the family to bond together in a memorable experience.
- Snowball fights – While skiing, ice fishing and snowboarding are lots of fun, there is nothing that compares to the delight of an old-fashioned snowball fight in the backyard. Draw a line in the middle, create buffer zones on both sides of the line, and come up with a set of rules of engagement. The more serious players can decide to build snow fortifications before the fight but in most cases the game does not require any preparation.
- Snow fort – Building a good snow fort in the backyard can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Snow forts build properly can last a season and the children love to have a warm cup of chocolate milk with the parents in the fort. How to build a snow fort
- Sledding hills and luge runs – Why drive to a sledding hill if you have big backyard. Get a few families onboard to help you build hills and luge run and enjoy it throughout the season – Building a sledding hill
- Bowling – Although not technically outdoors, bowling provides a good opportunity for the family to get out of the home during winter. Please do asses the bowling alley in terms of the environment as some of them are not suitable for a family. Also, visiting it at a time when its not too crowded results in a much better experience
- Bonfire in snow – If your backyard is big enough to allow for a fire pit, consider enjoying the warmth of a nice fire in the cold weather while roasting nuts or marshmallows, sharing tales of your childhood with your children.
- Visiting Science Centers, Aquariums and Museums – Winter is a really good time for the whole family to visit the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Center and the Aquarium
- Curling – Yes its not for everyone, but it’s a must-try activity at least once in a lifetime to be able to say confidently that you did not enjoy it. However, beware that many fall in love with the game after trying it. You can visit a facility like the Brampton Curling Club
- Archery tag or Battle Archery – A trip to archery facilities provides hours of fun for the whole family. For those looking for something more than shooting arrows at paper targets, try visiting a place like Battle Archery. Please do asses the facility as some of them are not suitable for families.
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Summer Activities – We strongly recommend that children spend time outdoors on a daily basis during summer. There are endless possibilities in the summer, including:
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- Provincial and National Parks – Ontario is blessed with rolling hills, lush forests, stunning lakes with pristine waters and spectacular views from towering cliffs. You can enjoy the fascinating grotto and singing sands beach in Bruce Peninsula National Park, watch the 1,000 lbs Moose that roam the Algonquin and hike between the beautiful purple rocks at Killarney with your family.
- Sports – Basketball, Soccer, Cricket, Frisbee, badminton, hockey, football and lacrosse are some of the many options that provide a wonderful alternative to media for the whole family.
- Yard games – Not all sports require you to drive to another location. You can setup a basketball hoop in your driveway and invest in a portable badminton and volleyball set to enjoy sports with your family for the whole summer.
- Fishing – Ontario has over 250,000 lakes teeming with delicious bass, pike, perch, salmon and many other varieties. Many parks and recreational areas conduct free fishing workshops and community members who enjoy fishing are always willing to mentor others.
- Gardening – Yes you can buy groceries from a store for a price, but the joy of growing Non-GMO organic vegetables in your own garden is priceless. Use fabric pots or plant them directly in to your garden and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labour.
- Camping in the backyard – There are some amazing provincial parks within reach but if you would like to enjoy the comforts of the home while getting a taste of camping. Try sleeping in a tent for a night with the children. It is an amazing experience for them that would be very memorable InshaAllah.
- Picnics and BBQ – Nihari, Zereshk Polo, Batata Harra and Bamia in the comfort of home provide great culinary delights but using a good old-fashioned charcoal grill to enjoy BBQed vegetables and kabobs in your backyard or having a weekend picnic with friends makes for an amazing experience for children.
- Fruit picking – From delicious plums and peaches which are far tastier and cheaper than the grocery stores to the wonderful berries, there are many options for picking your own fruits in Ontario.
- Zoo – Over 5,000 animals belonging to 450+ species in habitats spanning 700 acres+ provide for an entire day of fun for the whole family. If you prefer the comfort of the car, you can always go to the African Lion Safari
- Road trip – Canada is blessed with a uniquely beautiful landscape and rich history. Whether it’s the quaint buildings in Quebec City, the rolling green hills of the Prince Edwards islands with red soil or the breathtaking lakes and mountains of the Banff and Jasper National Parks, the experience is worth the drive. You can save costs by staying at chains like Motel 8, which offer a safe and clean option at affordable prices, and by taking a portable stove with supplies in a cooler.
- Fall colors – Do not miss the awe-inspiring beauty of the fall colors. Plan a trip with the family during the fall weekends to various nearby locations. You can research online to find the best fall colors near you.
- Backyard activities – Kites, foam planes, paper planes, drones, building an outdoor aviary where birds can nest, building a cardboard fort and obstacle courses are just some of the many activities possible in the backyard.
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The greatest alternative to media for children is spending time with their parents. Whether its flying paper planes in the house, the parent throwing foam balls that the children dodge or baking and cooking together, children love spending time with the parents. Raising children who have monitored access to devices and do not use them for entertainment, requires patience, courage and perseverance. However, the effort is definitely worth it as we are loosing a staggering percentage of our youths to the devices.
- Please make it a family priority to offer Salat on time and to read and discuss Qur’an.
- Plan outdoors trips to parks, lakes and hills. Spending time in nature, without devices, is a great way to appreciate the creation of Allah. There are many stunningly beautiful areas within driving distance in Ontario.
- Elementary students should spend at least 5 hours a week and middle and high school students should spend at least 10-15 hours a week to revise concepts covered in the previous grade and study in advance for the next grade. MathSmart and EnglishSmart workbooks, as well as Kumon practice books, available on amazon are good resources.
- Archery, basketball, soccer, hiking, badminton, hockey, ultimate Frisbee, gardening, camping in your backyard or at a park and even playing simple games like tag are a wonderful way for the family to bond together and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Baking, barbequing, cooking, sewing, woodworking, painting and origami are also amazing summer activities for the entire family.
- Summer is great time to read; please refer to Wali ul Asr’s Web Site for a list of books that have been scanned for content – Reading List