5 Misconceptions of High Payoff Activities
By John, Owner, Fight Against Screens
When we talk about High Payoff Activities, we really just mean one thing:
They'll actually be worth the effort they take.
This typically means activities that are:
- Low prep
- Low cleanup
- Low supervision (when safe and age appropriate)
- High Engagement - they hold your kid’s attention and give them something useful from the activity
- Stuff you have available
So there's a few misconceptions about this idea that we should address.
#1 The same High Payoff activities work for everyone
We'll all parents here. We know that's not realistic.
What's most important is what works for your kid, not ours, your best friend's, or your neighbor's.
Although some activities definitely have higher popularity, what's "high payoff" for me is likely not the exact same for your kid(s).
This is why we look at things like your child's age, energy level, interests, and how much help you can give.
This gives them a much higher chance of working for them.
#2 High Payoff means minimal effort at all costs
As I mentioned, High Payoff activities generally favor activities that are
- low prep
- low cleanup
- low supervision (when safe and age appropriate)
But it's not always the case.
If my son will play for an hour with water and some tools, my wife had to lightly supervise and clean up for a few minutes after - was it still worth her time?
Almost every parent would agree - yes.
Even if there was a few minutes of cleanup (the cleanup of course can be part of the activity) - it was absolutely worth it
#3 They'll work every single time
Sometimes your kid's just not in the mood for a specific type of activity.
If they're too jumpy for a craft, it doesn't matter that it has our "High Payoff" label on it...
They probably need to burn some energy first.
That same exact activity might be amazing once they're calm.
#4 They always have to last a long time
This is not necessarily the case.
Take our Busy Board for instance.
If takes seconds to hand over and seconds to clean up.
If it took minimal work but my son played with it for 15 minutes, is that High Payoff?
I'd argue yes.
He got 15 minutes out of it, he got to practice fine motor skill while learning how real things work (like buckles, shoelaces, zippers, and so forth), and the effort to me was essentially zero.
#5 High Payoff just means keeping them busy
These activities are absolutely meant to keep them busy, but of course we want our kids to get something out of the activity as well.
Sometimes that's exactly what you need.
If you need 20 minutes to make dinner and an activity gives you that, that's a solid payoff.
Keeping your kid engaged is a big part of High Payoff.
If something takes 30 seconds to set up and keeps them happily occupied for 20 minutes, that's already a pretty good return.
But we also look at what they're getting out of that time.
Such as:
- Burning energy
- Claming down
- Practicing indepdendence or fine motor skills
- Learning how something works in real life
So 20 minutes of really useful play can sometimes be a higher payoff than 45 minutes of something that required a ton of work from you.
So yes, engagement/time matters significantly, but it just isn't the only part of the payoff.
Once you know what's High Payoff for you...
The reward can be absolutely beauitful.
It's like you know what works for your kid. You have it in the reporitoire.
Parents tell us that once they understand this idea - they can't unsee it.
They start asking if activities they see online will be "high payoff" for them.
Or to put it simply, it changes the standard of what they consider worth doing.
All of a sudden that elaborate craft they saw on Pinterest that needs a long setup and $30 of supplies isn't as appealing.
I'm not saying that can never work, but it looks like a riskier bet.