As much as we love a good movie night or tablet time, there are days when you just want to unplug and keep things a little more hands-on. If you’re searching for screen-free activities that still keep your kids happily occupied, I’ve got 20 ideas that will work wonders.
These activities are easy to set up, require little prep, and will engage your kids in ways that are both fun and creative. So, let’s swap the devices for some good old-fashioned playtime and make some lasting memories!
20 Screen-Free Ideas for Kids
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1. Magnetic Color & Number Maze Puzzle
I can’t tell you how many times this Magnetic Maze Puzzle has saved the day. It’s the perfect screen-free activity that actually keeps my kids engaged for hours. They love sorting colors and counting, and I love that it’s helping them work on important skills! Plus, it’s simple enough to just pull out and let them go!
2. Washable Chalk | Creative Fun Without the Mess
Washable chalk is hands-down one of our favorite outdoor activities. It’s so easy to let the kids get messy with their drawings, and the clean-up is a breeze. Whether it’s for sidewalk games or creative doodles, it keeps them engaged for hours. The vibrant colors make it fun for them, and I love that I don’t have to worry about stains!
3. Crayola Air Dry Clay | Affordable Creative Fun for Kids
For less than $11, this Crayola Air Dry Clay is the perfect addition to any craft session. The 5-pound bucket of clay is soft and easy to mold, making it perfect for hands-on projects. It dries naturally, so there’s no need to fire up the oven!
4. Crayola Model Magic | 30 Pack of Air-Dry Fun
When I need something quick, fun, and screen-free, I grab Crayola Model Magic. This 30-pack gives kids 15 vibrant colors to mix, mold, and create all sorts of crafts. It also dries on it’s own so no oven required!
What’s the difference between the two clays? The air dry clay is heavier and denser and great for painting! This one is more clay-like of the two. We have mode vases and other sculptures like that with the air dry. Better for older kids!
The model magic is more foam-like. You need to warm it up in your hands to make it more moldable and is soft and spongy. This one stays lightweight even after drying. This one can also be painted or mixed with other model magic or even colored with markers!
5. Scratch Art Paper Kit | Colorful Creative Fun
This Scratch Art Paper kit is the perfect thing to have in your bag for a screen-free activity on the go! Whether we’re waiting for food at a restaurant or sitting through a long appointment, it keeps little hands busy and happy. Total lifesaver!
6. Pattern Scissors | Fun Craft Time
These fun craft scissors are a favorite at our house! With six different patterned edges, my kids love turning plain paper into something special. They’re easy for little hands to use (but safe!) and perfect for scrapbooking, card-making, or just cutting for fun.
7. Gymnastics Bar and 8. Foldable Beam | Big Fun That Pays Off Every Day
Gymnastics Bar | Gymnastics Beam
Okay, this one takes a little more space and setup, but if you’ve got a mini gymnast at home, it’s worth every penny. This bar gets used constantly at our house and has been the best outlet for energy and movement. Rainy day? After school? It’s there. Bonus: it’s a great way to build strength and coordination without leaving the house.
The beam is also used daily and the best part is, it folds up! Our kids’ gym teachers even use it!
9. Stomp Rocket Jr | Backyard Fun
Looking for a way to get the kids outside and moving? This Stomp Rocket Jr Glow Rocket Launcher is the answer! They’ll be running and jumping to catch the glowing rockets, getting plenty of exercise while having fun. It’s perfect for wearing them out before bedtime!
10. Pick-Up Sticks | Classic Screen-Free Fun
This 41-piece Pick-Up Sticks game is such a fun throwback! Just scatter the sticks into a pile, then take turns trying to pick one up without moving the others, sounds easy, but it’s surprisingly tricky (and fun!). We love playing it outside in the shade or inside during quiet afternoons.
11. Magna-Tiles | The Toy My Kids Never Get Tired Of
Magnetic 100 Pc. Set | Smaller Set; Jungle Animals
Magna-Tiles are hands-down the most played-with toy in our house. My kids (even my almost 9 year old!) build for hours—castles, garages, zoos, anything. Totally screen-free and worth the investment.
12. Giant Bubbles | Unicorn Theme Kit
This giant bubble kit is pure magic. The bubbles are huge and my kids can’t get enough. Perfect for backyard play that feels like a party. Even my 5 year old can do this all on his own!
13. Candy Land | A Screen-Free Classic
This timeless game is a staple in our game collection. With no reading required and easy-to-understand rules, Candy Land is perfect for the whole family, young and old. It’s quick, entertaining, and a great way to unplug and spend time together.
14. Rainbow Loom Mega Combo Set | Perfect for All Ages
The Rainbow Loom Mega Combo Set is one of my kids’ favorites. They love making bracelets and necklaces, especially with the letter charms to personalize each piece. It’s a fun, creative way for them to make something they can actually wear!
15. Magnetic Drawing Board
This is a newer to use activity but our kids are loving it! We actually keep this in the car and have it for restaurants, sporting event, or just long car rides.
The yellow pen has a magnet on it and it pulls up the bead into the hole. When you want to clear it out to create something new, just push the ball back down the hole!
16. Reusable Water Balloons
If your kids love any and every chance to play with water, check these out! We’ve had these for about 3 years and the kids love them. I just fill up a bucket with water and let them at it! It’s easy enough for my 5 year old to use and fun enough for my almost 9 year old (and grown ups too!). The kids could play with these all day every day if I let them.
17. Monopoly Deal
This game has become a family favorite for well over a year! We bring it on every trip and play it ALL the time. It’s one game that helped our 5 year old so much with math (in a fun way!). It’s WAY faster than the original monopoly game but just as much fun.
18. Tinker Toys
Tinker Toys (we have the orginal one thanks to my mom for holding on to them so the ones linked are the updated version!)
Our kids have been playing with my old Tinker Toys for years and they just love them! Our youngest especially loves making fun creations out of them and keeps coming back to try something new.
19. Hook & Ring Battle
Another family fun game that we keep coming back to is this one! This hook and ring battle is fun for the whole family (our youngest who is 5 beats me all the time). It’s easy to put together and fun to play.
When you hook your ring, move the peg one spot but quick keep going before the other person hooks theirs!
20. The Highlights Book of Things to Do
And if the above 19 items don’t do the trick, try this book! I have my kids find something in here to do if they’re really looking for something “new and exciting”. A lot of them can be done with minimal prep and are super fun!
These are the activities I keep coming back to when I need something fun, easy, and screen-free. They’ve saved us on long afternoons and slow mornings, hope they do the same for you!
If you liked this post, you’ll love my Road Trip Essentials for Kids + Tips and Tricks for more easy, fun ideas to keep your kiddos happy and entertained all summer long!
More Screen-Free Ideas
Bracelet Kit | Red Drawing Board | Digital Camera | Model Magic | Reusable Water Balloons | Basketball Hoop | Marbling Paint | Found It
Hot Pink Swim | Shells Swim | Lemon Swim | Pink 2-Piece | Orange 2-Piece | Surfer Print Shorts | 3 Colored Trunks | Pineapple | Printed Swim Shorts
Science Kit | Wooden Blocks | 3D Print Pen | Pixel Art Challenge | Doodle Projector | Mechanical Hand | Drawing Robot | Guess in 10 | Pottery Wheel | Bug Catcher Vacuum
