Screen time can be a great way for a stressed or tired mom to get a short break. Or, to even be able to focus on other household duties without a little one attached to your hip.

However, too much screen time is bad for any kid.

Most studies show that children who are get exposed to “too much screen time before the age of 6 suffer when it comes to their reading effectiveness and have a shorter attention span.” So while your little one may “be captivated by what’s on the screen, they’re not learning from it.”

So, to help you find some easy ways to reduce screen time here is a huge list of over 125 screen-free activities. They are broken down into 6 different categories. Some require a little more effort than others, while some are simple as giving them a coloring book and crayons.

Although, this is a long list just know there are endless ways to have some screen-free time that can be both nurturing to your little one and a time-saver for you.

It’s all about how much effort you can put into planning it out ahead of time.

Games:

1. Play Bingo

2. Play Simon Says

3. Play the Floor is Lava

4. Play a card game

5. Play Charades

6. Do a puzzle

7. Play with jacks

8. Play hand games like “Patty Cake”

9. Play Tic Tac Toe

10. Play Hangman

11. Play Twister

12. Play Mother May I

13. Play Red Light, Green Light

14. Play Connect Four

15. Play Hot Potato

16. Play with Lego blocks

17. Play I-Spy

18. Play hopscotch

19. Play tag

20. Host a family/friends game night for the little ones

21. Play hide and seek

22. Play Duck Duck Goose

Educational:

23. Teach Spanish Numbers 1-30 using this printable pack

24. Make a map of your town

25. Create a compost bin (get the simple directions here)

26. Teach your little one about some notable Black influences using this printable set

27. Make a time capsule

28. Enjoy summer even more with these awesome worksheets

29. Let them teach you something they love

30. Have some fun doing some ice cream themed activities with these worksheets

31. Write a letter to a penpal or family member (if you need to teach letter writing get a FREE worksheet here)

32. Do a crossword puzzle

33. Make a holiday card for someone

34. Do some educational Christmas themed activities

35. Enjoy some fun penguin related crafts and ideas

36. Do some at-home science experiments

37. Read a book alone or together

38. Have some fun with this cookie printable then enjoy some together

39. Practice learning a new language with the Spanish Colors Printable

40. Write your own book together

41. Review the history of Mexico with this Spanish Cinco De Mayo Pack

Creative:

42. Make a bird feeder

43. Have them make their own comic book

44. Make candles together

45. Create some alphabet crafts with these easy templates

46. Have an impromptu dance party

47. Build a fort

48. Make friendship bracelets or necklaces

49. Make a photo collage

50. Go on a scavenger you can choose from in-home or out and about using these fun lists

51. Put on a play/puppet show

52. Sing/make-ups songs

53. Tell scary stories ‘in the dark’

54. Create your own instruments and play them

55. Let them redecorate their room

56. Do origami

57. Create an in-home obstacle course and complete it

58. Draw a self-portrait

59. Write a poem

60. Paint a picture

61. Create egg carton crafts

62. Have an in-home luau

63. Color in a coloring book

64. Make a family tree

65. Make a new invention

66. Do some tie-dye

67. Make slime (play at your own risk haha)

68. Create a reward wheel together for chores, good behavior, or other occasions

69. Host a sleepover

70. Plan your next family vacation together

71. Make macaroni art

72. Research a new hobby

73. Take a fun quiz together

74. Go visit a family member

75. Act out your favorite movie scenes

76. Try out some magic tricks

77. Let them give you a makeover (do your hair, makeup, or nails)

78. Help them start a new collection

Physical Activities:

79. Play sports (basketball, catch, etc.)

80. Take your dog for a walk (if you have one)

81. Have an impromptu treasure hunt (here’s a great St. Patrick’s theme one you can have for FREE)

82. Go take a walk and photograph nature

83. Do some animal yoga with this free printable

84. Exercise

85. Go stargazing

86. Go camping in your backyard

87. Have a race with friends

88. Fly a kite

89. Go cloud watching

90. Play with hula hoops or jump ropes

91. Go for a swim

92. Go bird watching

93. Plant flowers/garden (here you can find free and easy gardening ideas)

94. Water balloon fight

95. Jump on the bed

96. Play outside with chalk

Out on the Town:

97. Go to a zoo

98. Go to the park

99. Go blow bubbles outside

100. Go for a bike ride

101. Go rollerblading

102. Go to the children’s museum

103. Go to a trampoline park

104. Go apple picking

105. Go pick flowers

106. Go ride scooters (rentals are available in many cities)

107. Go visit a charity

108. Go to an animal shelter

109. Take a ferry/train to a random destination

110. Go for a fun day trip

111. Go to an arcade

112. Visit a fire station

113. Visit a farm

114. Visit a downtown mural area

115. Go to a library

116. Go bowling

117. Go to the aquarium

118. Go to an amusement park

119. Go to the beach

120. Go play glow in the dark mini golf

121. Go fishing

123. Go camping (get the essentials checklist here)

124. Go to a sporting event (baseball game, football game, etc.)

125. Go to a car wash

126. Go to a police station

127. Go visit a post office

Food Ideas:

128. Make your own pizza

129. Bake a dessert

130. Cook a meal together

131. Have a tea party

132. Go on a picnic

133. Make homemade ice cream

134. Try baking your own bread

135. Make homemade pasta

136. Make lemonade and even sell some for fun

Remember that this screen-free list only covers some very basic things. While daily activities may take a little more time when you include your little one it can be very rewarding in the long run.

Take some time to choose the activities you would enjoy doing with them or that they would enjoy doing on their own then plan them out.

Print or buy the items needed, set them to the side with the directions, and then pull activity when needed.

It is essentially your own boredom buster. You can do this.

Get started today, your little one will thank you for it!

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Last Updated on November 3, 2024 by Kierra