Long road trips, dreary days indoors, or after the umpteenth rendition of “Let It Go”—there are moments when you might feel compelled to reach for your phone to keep your little one occupied. And that’s perfectly fine; you can’t always be the Pinterest-perfect parent. Fortunately, you don’t have to rely solely on videos or cartoons. Here are some engaging and imaginative activities that utilize your iPhone, allowing you to feel less guilty about screen time.
Before you dive in, it’s important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against screen time for children under 18 months. At this age, high-quality programming like PBS or Sesame Street is recommended occasionally. For kids aged 2 to 5, the AAP suggests a maximum of one hour of quality programming. Make the most of that time with these five ingenious DIY tricks that are sure to impress you too.
1. Transform Siri into a Storyteller
If you’re on the road and your child is expecting endless entertainment, Siri can be your go-to companion. Here’s how to set it up:
- Navigate to Settings > General.
- Scroll to Accessibility and select Speak Selection, adjusting the speaking rate for a more natural sound.
- Open your iBooks app and select a book.
- Choose a word to highlight, then drag to select the portion you want Siri to read.
- Tap “Speak” and let Siri narrate your story, turning your phone into a personal audiobook.
2. Create a DIY Film Projector
Movie night just got a creative twist! For this project, gather a shoebox, some paper clips, a magnifying glass, and a knife. If your shoebox has a light interior, consider spray painting it black for optimal results. Use the magnifying glass to trace a circle on the top of the box, cut it out, and affix the magnifying glass in place. Fashion a stand for your iPhone using paper clips. Remember to flip your screen to avoid upside-down images by going to Settings > General > Accessibility and enabling AssistiveTouch. Project onto a white surface or wall, and enjoy a theater experience at home with some popcorn!
3. Make it Glow in the Dark
While we’re not suggesting you host a rave, you can easily turn your phone into a blacklight for some glow-in-the-dark fun. Place a small piece of tape over your LED light next to the camera lens, coloring the edge with a blue Sharpie. Repeat with another piece of tape, this time coloring it purple. Turn on the flash and watch as you create a homemade blacklight! To make it interactive, let your child doodle on white paper with a highlighter, and watch their artwork come to life in the dark!
4. Voice Change Fun Without Balloons
You’ve probably already had your little one don Snapchat’s fun glasses and dog ears. Now, add an extra layer of excitement by using the voice changer feature on the app. This is sure to keep them laughing as they hear their own silly sounds!
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In summary, there are innovative ways to entertain your kids using an iPhone that can spark their creativity while making screen time more meaningful. From storytelling with Siri to DIY projects, these activities are not only fun but also encourage imagination and engagement.
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