It’s no surprise that we’ve become dependent on technology. Between games, video streaming services and social media, there’s no shortage of ways to distract and occupy individuals — and children are no exception.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only two hours of screen time for children under 5 and no screen time at all for those under 2. Even with school, sleep, meals, bath and other daily activities, your child can still find plenty of time with nothing to do.

Fortunately, Athens and Limestone County offer several ways to help kids stay active and engaged without the screens. The following are just a few:

Storytime at the library

Newborns and those under 18 months are able to enjoy 15-20 minutes of stories, songs, rhymes and more at 10:15 a.m. each Friday at Athens-Limestone Public Library. Parents also get to mingle with each other after storytime ends.

“Whenever a baby starts storytime … that time spent reading is also going to encourage them to want to read on their own and develop a love for books,” said Amanda Coleman, head of youth services.

Toddler Storytime is for those 18-36 months old as of Sept. 1 and starts 10:15 a.m. each Wednesday. This program focuses more on developing social skills.

After the toddlers finish, preschoolers (3-5 years old) get their chance with felt board activities, games and picture books at 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays. For those with children of multiple ages, the library has family storytime at 11:15 a.m. on Fridays.

Registration is not required for these free programs, but parents and caretakers must stay in the room with their child and space is limited.

Children of all ages are encouraged to also join the summer reading program. Coleman said the calendar will be available in April or May, with registration starting June 4. The program prevents students from falling behind in their education.

“It’s scientifically proven that when children have been reading all summer, they’re ahead of the game and ready for the next school year,” Coleman said.

Boy and Girl Scouts

Scouting is another great way to get kids involved in their community and interacting with children outside of school.

Scouting offers multiple levels of participation, including Cub Scouts for grades 1-5 and Boy Scouts for children 11-17 years old. Parents can find local scouting units by visiting www.scouting.org. Units usually meet once a week or once a month. Scouts are able to learn life skills and progress through ranks by completing challenges and earning merit badges.

Girl Scouts may be best known for their cookies, but selling cookies is just one way Girl Scouts helps children develop life skills, set challenges to overcome and get to know their community. Age groups for Girl Scouts focus on school grades, from kindergartners and first graders as Daisies all the way up to high school juniors and seniors as Ambassadors.

Parents can sign up for Girl Scouts at www.girlscoutsnca.org.

Awana

It began in Chicago in the 1940s, but the nonprofit ministry and discipleship program, Awana, can now be found in 104 countries around the world. In Limestone County, the clubs are featured mostly at local Baptist churches, though David Carter, youth minister at First Baptist Church of Athens, said membership at the church is not a requirement for kids to be involved.

Children in the program are placed into classes based on their age. At First Baptist, classes meet 5-7 p.m. every Sunday for games, Scripture, crafts and music.

“It’s really a great ministry to grow kids up, because they’re learning Scripture each week, and it’s a memory-based ministry that allows kids to remember Scripture but also learn what it means,” Carter said.

Older children get handbooks and can work with their parents and class leaders to complete sections and earn patches for their vest. They can also earn awards.

“It gives an opportunity for parents to be with their kids and learn with their kids and watch them grow,” said Carter, whose three daughters participated in the program.

Carter said kids are also given opportunities to learn about tithing and giving. First Baptist recently held a canned food drive called “Super Bowl of Love,” and kids are encouraged to tithe 50 cents each week, which is then used to help cover the cost of the program.

“It doesn’t cover the whole cost,” Carter explained, “but it helps them learn about giving.”

Parents can learn more about Awana and find a local program at www.awana.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs

With two locations in Limestone County, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama aim to encourage children to be the best they can be through daily after-school programs and activities.

These include physical activities, such as basketball, playground access and group exercises. Students work to achieve academic success through programs like Power Hour, Project Learn and even summer STEM classes taught by NASA-trained staff.

Applications for the Boys & Girls Club can be found at bgcnal.com. Membership fees are $45 per week per child for the first two children and $15 for each additional child, plus an annual registration fee of $20.