Being a parent is tough. But I think one of the challenging things about being a parent today is navigating screen time. Not to mention the millions of opinions we are bombarded with through social media and other platforms. To be honest, I think that screens can be beneficial, and I don’t necessarily think there is anything wrong with using them. I simply believe that the most important thing is to find that healthy balance of screen time and time doing screen free activities.
As I said before, I think it is important to find that balance of using screens but not being consumed by them. Too much screen time can really take away from our kids childhood. Your child won’r remember the times they spent watching tv or playing video games. In fact, what they will remember are the times they spent with you, the times they spend imagining, creating, and exploring.
100 Screen Free Activities For When You Need A Screen Break
From time to time, I like to detox myself and my kids from screens for a week or so. Doing so really makes a difference for our moods, my kid’s behavior, and helps us to reconnect. If you’re looking to take some time away from screens, check out my post about how to have a successful screen free week here. I share my best tips and tricks for making it a smooth week for everyone.
Creative Screen Free Activities
My kids love coloring and doing crafts. These are some great activities for kids who like to do creative things. These are also great for fine motor skills and more!
- Coloring
- Paint
- Sticker or Stamp Books
- Make Paper Airplanes
- Play with PlayDoh
- Make Cereal Necklaces
- Create Something with Wax Sticks or Pipe Cleaners
- Cut and Paste Pictures from Magazines or Catalogs
- Make a Sensory or I Spy Bottle
- Make a Tie Blanket
- Make Shadow Puppets
- Write a Story and Draw Pictures to Go With It
- Play Charades
- Make New Crayons with Old Broken Crayons
- Decorate Pillow Cases / T-Shirts / Hats with Fabric Markers or Fabric Paint
- Make Sock Puppets
- Make Stepping Stones
- Build a Cardboard House
Indoor Screen Free Activities
Rainy, freezing cold, or super hot days can put a damper on outside play. Here are several fun indoor screen free activities.
- Play a Board Game
- Play a Card Game
- Read
- Listen to an Audiobook or Podcast
- Bake or Cook Something
- Do a Puppet Show
- Play Dress Up
- Have a Fashion Show
- Learn A Magic Trick
- Make Suncatchers
- Paint Your Nails
- Build with blocks, legos, magnetic tiles, etc.
- Do a Puzzle
- Have a Tea Party
- Make a Masking Tape Race Track For Toy Cars
- Play Sticky Ball – First, place packing tape across a doorway. Second, throw small and light balls at the sticky side of the tape (we use ball pit balls). The object is to try and get the balls to stick to the tape.
- Learn How to Play Chess and/or Checkers
Outdoor Screen Free Activities
Getting outside and into the fresh air can really turn a sour day around. Just being in the sun can boost mood and improve sleep later. Because of that, I am a big fam of outdoor activities. And aside from sending them to the backyard for free play (which I do frequently!), here are some great outdoor activities.
- Collect Rocks
- Make a Bird Feeder
- Plant Flowers
- Make a Fairy Garden
- Do A Scavenger Hunt
- Have a Picnic
- Fly Kites
- Play Frisbee
- Go For a Walk
- Draw with Sidewalk Chalk
- Blow Bubbles
- Look For Bugs
- Shadow Tracing
- Practice a Sport
- Dig In the Dirt with Toy Construction Vehicles
- Play in the Sprinkler
Active Screen Free Activities
As I have said before, it’s no secret that kids are bursting with energy. Finding ways to give them an outlet for that energy is always a good idea. This is a short list of active activities you can do at home.
- Dance
- Build an Obstacle Course
- Build a Blanket Fort
- Jump Rope
- Hula Hoop
- Ride Bikes
- Roller Skate
- Flashlight Tag
- Play Keep The Balloon Off The Floor
- Hide and Seek
- Nerf Dart Play- Stack cups in a pyramid shape and try to knock them down by shooting them with nerf darts. Alternatively, you can make a cardboard target to hang in a doorway.
- Play Fetch with the Dog
- Do Yoga
Learning Activities
It’s amazing how much kids can learn and absorb from simple activities and games. As a matter of fact, there are a zillion different kinds of STEM and learning activities you can do. Here are just a few that are simple and fun.
- Matching or Memory Games
- Build Words with Blocks – Use a wet erase marker to write letters on large blocks or magnetic tiles, and use them to spell words
- Color Mixing
- Sorting Games
- Wipe Clean Books
- Dot To Dot or Paint By Number
- Number Tower Builds – Show your child a number, and have them stack blocks with that number of blocks
- Grow Crystals
- Pom Pom Straw Races – Everyone gets a different colored pom pom. Next, use a straw to blow the pom pom across the table to the finish line.
- Make Wildflower Seed “Bombs” – Find my how to here
- Make Ice Cream In A Bag – You can also find the instructions here
- Make a Domino Train to Knock Down
- Marshmallow and Toothpick Building
- Make a Ball Run With Magnetic Tiles
- Make Rock Candy
- Lacing / Sewing Activities
- Origami
Activities Outside the House
Often times when I am feeling overstimulated and really tempted to just put on a movie, getting out of the house can really make a difference. Here are a few fun activities you can do when you need a change of scenery.
- Visit the Library
- Go to the Park
- Visit a Farm
- Go to An Indoor Playground
- Go to the Pet Store
- Visit an Animal Shelter
- Go to The Zoo or Aquarium
- Visit the Children’s Museum
- Go Bowling
- Go Putt Putting
- Go to a Frisbee Golf Course
- Go to a Splash Pad
Activities to Do For Others
Teaching our kids to serve others, and that everything is not always about them is one of life’s greatest lessons. I love these activities to help kids learn kindness and selflessness.
- Take Cookies to a Neighbor
- Make Dog Treats to Take to the Animal Shelter
- Mail a Letter or Card to a Friend or Family Member
- Make a Snack Bag for Your Mailman
- Draw Pictures and Take Them to a Nursing Home
- Write Thank you Cards or Pictures and Take Them to a Fire Station, Police Station, or VFW
- Help a Grandparent, Neighbor, etc with Chores – Mow the Lawn, Rake Leaves, Do Dishes, Fold Laundry, Walk the Dog, Clean the litter box, etc.
Screen Free Activities For All
As you can see above, there are many ways for kids to stay busy without using screens. A large portion of the time it’s a matter of letting kids be bored, and letting their creativity shine. I hope you found something in this list that you and your kids can enjoy, no matter their age or interests.
One Last Thought Before We Go…
No matter how you choose to use screen time in your life, you are a great mom! Do what works best for you and your family. Given that all families are different, this will look different for everyone.
On the other hand, I know there are a lot of voices out there that can really trigger that mom guilt. But I want to encourage you to remember that you and your families unique. In short, you’re doing your best and I am proud of you!
What are some of your favorite screen free activities? Is there anything from this list that you’re looking forward to doing? As always, I love hearing your thoughts in the comments below!
You are doing amazing!
