bluebonnetgirl Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 What are your best hobby and activity suggestions for a 12 year old boy to replace screen time? I'm talking about in the house activities that are not chores, reading, cooking, or schoolwork. Caveats...we live in the suburbs, not in a farm, there is only one other sibling and they don't always want to be together. Most of the kids in the neighborhood are indoors hooked on their screens or are in organized sports away from home. We already do some sports and I'm looking at volunteer opportunities. However, what I'm really looking for are in the house independent activities that can take the place of screen time and are pretty engaging and maybe even useful for future skills? Thanks so much for all your ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Learn to yo-yo and then compete in some competitions. Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My 10.5yo likes woodcarving, train tracks, random physics experiments, and drawing. Look at BSA's merit badge books at scoutstuff.org. for more ideas. You can purchase the books without a membership, and many libraries have them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My DS likes to make para cord bracelets, cardboard/foam weapons from weapon books w/ patterns, and this winter is wanting to learn how to make knit hats from the circle knitter thing and learn some basic carpentry. He likes to cook so I also want him to try and cook from scratch some--make foods he likes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 film-making science kits experiments (seconding physics experiments) drawing architecture kit DIY.org will give lots of ideas - maybe get him involved in that - it's screen time followed by real life work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paceofnature Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My son love to build RC planes. There is a company called Flite Test who offers plane for sale or the plans to make your own for free. They are made out of dollar tree foam board (nice and cheap!) and look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Models, books about the military, puzzles, and playing Air Soft with friends. I periodically lock my kids in the backyard with plenty of water for an hour at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kharisma Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Citizen science projects maybe? There are a bunch. Like COCORAHS weather recording, Lost Ladybug Project, Project Feeder watch or the free one eBird? Just a thought. It would be meaningful as it helps collect data for scientists, he might like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My 12 year old is currently working on an elaborate stop motion animation project using Star Wars legos. Not exactly the hobby I would have liked for him to have picked (because it does involve screen time), but he's very motivated and has been steadily working it all summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My 12 year old is currently working on an elaborate stop motion animation project using Star Wars legos. Not exactly the hobby I would have liked for him to have picked (because it does involve screen time), but he's very motivated and has been steadily working it all summer. I was going to say Stop Motion Animation too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrale Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Geocaching. Cross country running Life hack skills from YouTube Cooking Building a PC from scratch. Rebuilding a motorbike or car engine. Good time to start on a first car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 When I was that age I was interested in martial arts. Most martial arts can be practiced indoors, as long as you have at least moderately-sized rooms. I spent hours drawing and writing stories at that age, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My 10.5yo likes woodcarving, train tracks, random physics experiments, and drawing. Look at BSA's merit badge books at scoutstuff.org. for more ideas. You can purchase the books without a membership, and many libraries have them too. I found a TRUCKLOAD of boy scout badge books at a library sale. I think they were 25c each. I only got a few bc most weren't interesting to me, but they are out there. I see boy/cub scout stuff a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 DS8 is learning bread making, Nerf gun modifying and painting, robot building, and legos. He's a bit younger than your DS, but the interests seem pretty ageless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Quilting, cooking, gardening, playing board or card games, reading, painting or drawing, other sewing projects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I know someone who got into SCA and made his own chain mail. My boys loved doing model rockets with dh. They also helped him scrub coins (ancient ones--you soak them in olive oil for a couple of weeks, then use a wire brush). Not the most scintillating hobby, but a hobby, nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaCoop04 Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Don't have a boy that age yet, but I picture my boys enjoying whittling or wood burning or even simple carpentry (buy own tools, build a shelf, toy box, bench, etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGHEALTHYMOM Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Lego's or other building sets Tool box with real tools to Build something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukriyya Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Origami Magic/card tricks Legos Thames & Kosmos robot kits Single player logic games like Traffic Jam Kits to build various famous world structures Audio books Rainbow Loom (lots of boys are into this here) Knitting String games Jigsaw puzzles Making weapons out of foam and duct tape Gardening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlcc Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Photography Archery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbird2 Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 I just picked up this book, and it looks very promising. The kids do all of the projects on their own. Perhaps there are a few neighborhood kids your son can recruit to help him? http://www.amazon.com/Carpentry-Children-Lester-R-Walker/dp/0879519908/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406670691&sr=8-1&keywords=carpentry+for+children Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Earn DIY (diy.org) badges? The badges are free to earn unless you want the physical badges and there are all sorts of things to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin'sMom Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 I found this while searching for something to replace some of the hours Kevin wants to spend on MineCraft: http://www.artisbasic.com/2014/07/secret-city-drawings-3rd-4th-grade.html I leave the drawing pencils and sketchbooks out in the kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Benny Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Robotics. Lego club. 4h had robotics curriculums you can buy without joining. You wouldn't have to join lego club either but it takes lego robotics to another level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 LEGO LEGO LEGO More LEGO Okay, any sort of building activity. Origami Drawing, creating comic books Woodworking Logic puzzles, chess, board games Costume design/building These are all things that my 12yo girl and 9yo boy do in their free time. They also spend a lot of time practicing their martial arts skills individually or with each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftyplayer Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Getting him a guitar and a subscription to Jamplay.com I know a few boys that taught themselves and, when they got a bit older (15-16) started a band with their friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.