Without something else to do, many kids — and adults — will revert to screens. They may use their thumbs to text for hours or binge-watch Netflix or whatever’s on the DVR.
While a little bit of technology never hurt anyone, too much can take its toll. That’s why families need to have lots of items on hand for amusement, creativity and a bit of healthy competition.
Game Tables
Some of the must-have entertainment assets for the home are game tables, including air hockey, foosball, darts and Skee-Ball. These are the games you might remember from your childhood or your parents’ basement. They’re just as fun to play between household members as they are with guests when you have friends or family over. Plus, they never go out of style.
Musical Instruments
Do you have a family of budding musicians? Make it simple for them to play real instruments by outfitting a space with a keyboard, guitar, drum set and other musical items. To add extra encouragement and inspiration, purchase a stereo system that includes a vintage-type turntable. Then, you can get all those vinyl records out and teach the kids what “real” music sounds like. You’ll be amazed at how much young kids and teens appreciate being introduced to bands, singers and songs they’ve never explored.
The Library
Many people read less than they want because they don’t have a specific reading place. Construct a comfortable reading nook complete with a recliner, floor lamp, blankets and side table. Then, begin amassing a library of books that appeal to different people in your family. You might want to purchase sets of books, such as a series, for each person. In time, reading will become more natural for everyone because it’s simple to get cozy and enjoy new worlds.
The Art Room
It’s hard to resist the temptation of a place filled with empty canvases, paints, stickers, markers, sculptor’s clay and other arts and crafts supplies. Let your family's inner artists roam free by setting up an art cranny in an unused space, such as a corner of your basement's laundry area or climate-controlled garage.
Depending on how many artistic offerings you have, you could buy everything from a full-blown easel to a sewing center. The goal of sprucing up this part of your home is to give everyone a place to innovate — not to churn out masterpieces. That includes adults in the family who may find the art room a place to decompress after work. Whether one of your family members creates Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) pieces is up to art critics to decide.
Board Games
What could be more satisfying than winning a mentally stimulating Scrabble marathon or finally besting a family member at chess?
Board games have captivated the imaginations of children and adults for generations. They're relatively inexpensive and also easy to store. As long as you have a cabinet or closet to store them when they’re not in use, you will always have something to do. If you’re living in a multigenerational household, include games that will appeal to each person and try games that might be unfamiliar. Sometimes, learning the rules can be half the fun.
Try New Entertainment Options Today
Entertainment doesn’t have to come with a screen or buttons — it can stem from a million other places, such as hitting a small plastic ball across a table tennis conversion top or getting lost in an author’s fictional universe. With the right games, you can make having fun a multifaceted adventure in your home.
Now’s the perfect time to add entertainment pieces and items that your entire family will love. They’ll even come in handy for future get-togethers with buddies and loved ones, too.
Browse HB Home's products today to see what you can add to your home.