50+ Screen FREE Activities
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Screen time has it’s advantages for parents! It allows parents to…
get things done
separate fighting kids
have a few moments of quiet, reflective meditation to evaluate the meaning of life
While it is tempting to let the screens rule, we know that kids need a break from the glow and hypnotism of their selected devices.
As parents we get the need for…
fresh air
conversation
human contact
creativity
The problem is that it’s hard to think of games and projects in the chaos of the moment. Often kids can come up with their own fun, but it never hurts to have a…
plan B
idea tool kit
starter list
…especially when you anticipate the potential head drooping and whining that follows the cutting of the cord.
Today I present you with over 50 ideas to entertain kids without screens. You can…
Use this list.
Let it inspire you to create your own.
Share it with your favorite babysitters, friends and family!
Screen Free Activities…A Starter List
Finger paint with pudding! Chocolate is the best! On paper or just on the table or high chair tray! MMMM…messy, but deliciously fun!
Go old school with MARBLES and JACKS… you can print out directions ahead of time for playing marbles here and Jacks here for free.
Save the sock folding for older kids. They can roll the socks into balls and shoot hoops into the laundry basket. Anyone up for a game of HORSE?
Write a letter to a celebrity! Google your celebrity to find their fan mail addresses. Look at the photos to see what author and illustrator Eric Carle sent to me after writing to him with my class.
Bring out some old family photo albums or create one to share.
Wash the toys. Give the kids some wet rags or add toys to the bath or pool to be washed!
Dress up! Get out some of your old clothes or last year’s Halloween costumes and let the kid’s imaginations go crazy!
Squiggle art! Draw a crazy squiggle and have the kids turn it into a picture and write a story about it!
Make pet rocks. Find some rocks to paint and add some google eyes!
Teach kids to play solitaire and other card games.
Enjoy a family Happy Hour.
Word-less books and picture-less books…kids can write the words or draw pictures for the stories! (Photo below in slideshow)
Dice Games.
Try Story Cubes! Create oral or written stories depending on the pictures you roll!
Use parts from other games to create a new game. Monopoly money? Scrabble letters? Apples to Apples cards?
Puppet show! Kids can make puppets using socks, paper bags, popsicle sticks or mis-matched gloves!
Play no drop catch. How many times can you throw and catch the ball without it dropping to the ground? 25? 50? 100?
Make a blanket fort! The more blankets and sheets the better!
Use tubes from gift wrap, paper towels or toilet paper rolls to create a marble rollercoasters or tunnels for matchbox cars!
Make a backyard obstacle course.
Water day! Sprinklers? Water Balloons? Sponges?
Plant seeds for flowers or a garden.
Get some Coffee Table Inspiration!
Scavenger hunt! Make it active… Start with 10 jumping Jacks then look for a clue near the cereal… Make your cereal, eat, wash your bowl and look for the next clue in the dishwasher…Read 2 books and look for the next clue near your toothbrush…etc Older kids can create different hunts for each other!
Guess what’s in the sock. (See photo) One person selects an everyday item to put in the sock. The other person, without peeking… puts their hand in the sock and tries to guess what the item is.
Change up the music. Play new background music. What does it inspire you to do? Classical…paint a picture? Italian…cook a pasta dinner? Country…square dance?
Buttons…sort them…string them…count them…glue them…sew with them.
Collect the loose coins in the house. How much is there? Can you afford an ice cream cone?
Mix the Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs…Build! Sculpt!
Let the kids look up a recipe to try. Have them copy the ingredients for the next trip the the grocery store. If they are old enough, have them make the recipe.
Try magnetic fishing! (See photo) Put paperclips on some cardboard fish. Put a magnet at the end of a handmade fishing pole!
Use construction paper, ribbons, old gift wrap and cards to make cards for birthdays, or any occasion.
Nature walk. Look for seeds, flowers, wildlife, rocks.
Give the kids a tape measure. How big are their shoes? A fork? A marker? Barbie? Books?
Hand over a few office supplies and inspire a little imaginative play. School? Office? Restaurant? Library? Store?
Use old magazines or junk mail to let the kids cut apart pictures for a collage.
Draw a map of bedrooms, the house or the neighborhood.
Freeze bubble gum. See how long it takes for kids to be able to chew and blow a bubble.
Teach kids a few new chores to help with. Folding clothes? Organizing toys?
Try something new…Rollerblade? Skateboard? Frisbee golf? Putt-Putt?
Support a cause! Volunteer! Donate unused toys and clothing!
Go fly a kite!
Pick a small to medium size toy to hide! Let other friends and family look for the hidden toy!
Meet friends at the park for a game of kickball or softball.
Make ice cubes out of juice and fruit to add to a fun drink later.
Look for free community festivals and concerts in your town.
Volunteering for teens can be a great way to gain job experience as well as college references. Try local libraries, recreation centers, and museums for volunteering needs.
Older kids can set up a neighborhood story hour for younger kids in the neighborhood.
Go fishing.
Tour a local candy factory, historical location, sporting venue for a behind the scenes learning experience.
Train for a local charity race.
Set up a picnic for friends and stuffed animals.
The possibilities are endless! Write them down and keep them handy!
Share this post with other parents you know if you found it helpful!
Remember…Parenting is not about perfection! It’s about the POWER in your PLAN! Think it! Note it! Parent it!
Here are more tips, ideas, and inspiration for your parenting plans…
If you are ready to create your best plans for raising your kids? Click below! Get a copy of the award-winning book, Noteworthy Parenting: How to Use Your Own IDEAS to Creat Your Unique Parenting Roadmap and BEGIN!
