By William Coleman
It seems now days that you cannot turn around without seeing a child glued to the screen of an mobile phone or tablet. One Lancaster holiday park has taken the initiative to limit the amount of time kids play on phone by swapping screen time for outdoor activities and fun days.
The first step taken by Moss Wood caravans was to banish mobiles phones in favour of a series of traditional summer games. From past experience you can sway children away from phones and tablet by making the outdoors more engaging and exciting. Something Moss Wood has found success in doing this summer.
The challenge was set by Moss Wood on the last Saturday in August during one of the school holidays’ busiest weekends.
The site had an open invite to all families to take part in the cold turkey scheme to put down the screens and spent a tap tap free day away from social media and game and actually play real life games.
Henry Wild, the park’s owner, said that the digital detox experiment was a top success which drew large crowds the sites specially constructed games arena.
It was not just to tots who put the tablets down as mums and dads got fully immersed in the summer activities. Candy Crush was swapped for the good old coconut why and the tin can topple as guest took turns hurling bean bags at their targets.
There were also three-legged races and a chance to “splat the rat” along with other high-octane activities – plus a hugely popular welly wanging competition.
International fun also got a look-in with the Swedish game of “kubb” where towers of wooden blocks have to be demolished – and for the less energetic, the more passive pastime of bowls.
“For a few blissful hours, our guests ditched their digital devices and went back to what leisure was like when our park first opened over forty years ago,” said Henry.
“It was a time when youngsters on holiday would often meet up to play games and make new friends, rather than staying in touch with their existing chums online.
“Everyone said how much they enjoyed getting stuck in to our traditional games and activities, and a number of youngsters said they hadn’t missed their mobiles for a second.
“We rely as much on the internet as any other modern business, but it’s great just occasionally to pretend that the digital revolution simply didn’t happen!” added Henry.
Moss Wood provides holiday homes to buy as well as pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes. There is more information about the park at www.mosswood.co.ukl
This is a great idea that can be incorporated on site and at home. I can sometimes be a tad bit guilty of staring at my phone for a little bit too long, which usually stops me from having a good night’s sleep. So why not try this on site and at home.
