Finding screen-free activities for kids that keep children engaged for more than ten minutes can be challenging.
On many occasions, I’ve set out an activity for my children to complete and they were finished or bored with the activity in less than five minutes. Feeling defeated and sometimes frazzled, I’d sometimes relent to episodes of Storybots – one of my 13 go-to screen activities for kids. Has this happened to you?
Related:
9 Fun Ways to Teach The Alphabet
9 Awesome Number Activities for Early Learners
7 Steps for Kickstarting a Carefree Kindergarten Homeschool
Why it’s Necessary to Manage Screen-Time for Children (and Adults)
Not long ago, I purchased a book called The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv; it’s a dry read but I understand the message loud and clear, the physical and mental problems impacting our children can largely be attributed to the lack of time spent outdoors. Louv suggests that children are suffering from nature deficit-disorder (not a diagnosable disorder) but a real problem.
How to Reduce Screen-Time at Home
Some of the learning resources I use in my homeschool for my oldest child includes online apps that require a screen; I also allow timed screen-time on specific days of the week. So…I’m not one to admonish anyone for using screens for education or as desired; however, I am here to share ways screen-time can be reduced. Before we get to the list of screen-free activities here are some two helpful tips:
Tips for Reducing Screen-Time for Young Children
#1. Don’t just take, replace.
Instead of taking screens, consider replacing the time in the day screens are used with other activities. I’ve crowded by child’s schedule with family nights (free), reading hour (free), classes at my local library (free), and classes offered in the community (dance, piano, and martial arts). I’ve invested in museum memberships and have created a park club for predictable play dates (free). Perhaps you can do something similar with the activities below.
#2. Show, don’t just tell
Be an example for children. If you want your children to read more – read more. If you want your children to spend less time in front of television – do the same. Up until a certain stage, parents are the prevailing guide for actions of children.
10 SCREEN-FREE ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE QUALITY FAMILY TIME
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Pssst. ALL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE SUPERVISED BY AN ADULT.
1. GO FOR A WALK TOGETHER
After a long day, a brief walk may be the last thing on your mind but after dinner, consider it. Skip the urge to turn on the television and slump into the sofa. Take a turn around the block or the cul-de-sac. It’s a great way to get out the house and spend quality time with your children. The extra bonus is you get exercise as a family. There is research that shows that 15-30 minutes of walking after a meal also helps with food digestion, metabolism, and sleep.
Tip: Use the time to get the children talking with these conversation cards for kids or lists of would you rather questions.
2. COLOR & CRAFT
Crafts are a great way to learn more about your child’s personality. Use your imagination to help the family create age-appropriate homemade crafts. If your little one is too young for crafts try homemade noisemakers by placing beans or chickpeas in a plastic bottle and watch your little one shake.We recently completed this sweet sewing project. If you want something with less prep-time, coloring pages are great tools. There are tons of free coloring sheets online and I often create my own here.
Resource: 10 Benefits of Coloring Pages for Kids’ Psychology and Development
3. BAKE SOMETHING
Choose a simple recipe that is new for everyone in the family and have a kitchen adventure. Now, if you are a mom that prefers to order food, I get it. I’m not suggesting that you become Martha Stewart but in can channel your inner Rachel Ray short and sweet recipes that require less than 10 ingredients. My favorite resource for recipes right now is the Minimalist Baker, BudgetBytes, and Broma Bakery. I recently tried homemade brownies and blueberry muffins, both recipes got two thumbs up from the family. BAM!
4. PAINT
Painting can be fun and soothing. If you are painting with young children, consider non-toxic and water-based paint options. The mess will be worth the fun. Paint-by-number is usually inexpensive in most craft stores and Target or the Dollar Store has cheap watercolor paints and brushes.
Resource: Painting with young children: There’s more to the picture
6. MAKE BATH TIME A CELEBRATION
Many parents use bath time as a lead up to bedtime but you are brilliant and can use bath time as an activity, any time of day, which is sure to make a splash – and take up time. Bring toys, make bubbles, draw on the wall with these, turn on music, and have some fun.
5. PRETEND PLAY
Older children may not like this one but if you still have a little one, pretend play is a perfect screen-free activity. Break out the stuffed animals and the tea set. Grab the toy race car or build a fort with pillows and blankets. Give children a few empty boxes and transform a room into an imaginative play world you and your child can enjoy for hours or days. One of the best purchases we made was the Ikea Duktig Pretend Play Kitchen Set.
Resource: The Importance of Pretend Play in Child Development
7. SCAVENGER HUNTS
I’m a sucker for a good scavenger hunt and these can be done in the car, at home, or out on the town. The easiest may be the ABC scavenger hunt. Here you’ll find a sweet set of different kinds of hide-and-find scavenger hunts. Have the children find objects that start with each letter of the alphabet or hide letters around the house for the child to find.
8. GO TO THE PARK
Most towns and cities have parks. If the weather allows, pack a budget-friendly bag of snacks and drinks and enjoy a day at the park. Walk trails, have a picnic, find the playground so children can swing, slide, and run and play.
9. FIND INDOOR PLAY CENTERS
Indoor play centers can be the bees-knees, if you can find them in your area. They aren’t all created equally but there are some good ones that are clean, safe, and great for taking children away from screens and encouraging imaginative play. If you are in the Raleigh, NC – area with little ones check out this list of indoor play centers:
- Pineytown Playhouse
- Review of Pineytown
- Little Doodles Play Cafe
- Alara + Zane
- Bumble Brews
- Angel Island
- Notasium
- Tumble Gym
- Over The Moon
- Happy Feet Planet
- The Wonder Lab
10. DRESS UP/PAJAMA PARTY
Pull out the matching jammies or that old Halloween costume you only got to wear once and have a fun family party in the living room. Psst. You don’t need to wait until nighttime to get the party started. For extra excitement, provide the children with flashlights and have some fun.
11. READ & SHARE STORIES
Together stories is taking turns to start and finished a fictional story. It’s a great activity to do anytime there is a long wait while you are out-and-about or at home. It’s also a great tool for learning different story elements like title, characters, plot, and setting. Use this list to find free and cheap books for kids.
12. VISIT LOCAL MUSEUMS
Sometimes, getting child to want to do something other than grab the tablet may require getting in fun environments like local museums. This may sound boring but many museum have areas especially for kids and if you’re lucky the whole museum will be for kids. Memberships and free-days can make these outing more affordable. I’m lucky enough to live near Raleigh, NC the home of free Natural Science Museums, fun Marbles Museum (the membership is worth it), and a free history museum. Find out what is available near you and get creative about ways to include these resources in your weekly or monthly schedule.
Eliminating digital distractions and screens may be challenging and at times impractical. Finding success requires replacing (filling the void) the time in front of screens with activities that are equally stimulating.
Get started with what your child enjoys most and focus on those screen-free activities first.
Tip: It’s easy to get pulled out of your family moments with a ring of the telephone or a text alert, to ensure you do not get distracted, turn the phones on silent or leave them in another room.
I’m betting technology will be around for decades, the formative years with your child is limited. Get lost in the precious moments you have with your children before they are all grown up. And…thank you for taking the time to read this screen.
What activities would you add to this screen-free activities list?
