100 Screen-Free Activities for Kids: Play, Create, Explore, & Connect

Screens are part of everyday life. We use them for homeschooling, work, entertainment, keeping in touch with friends and families, and about a million other things. I’m certainly not trying to eliminate them from our house but…sometimes we all need a break.

The problem is, the second you suggest putting the screens away, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll hear:

“But what am I supposed to DO?!”

Don’t worry. I got you covered. I’ve put together 100 screen-free activities for kids and families, divided into four categories: Play, Create, Explore, & Connect.

Even better? I’ve created four free printable checklists to go along with them!

Why Keep a List of Screen-Free Activities?

I’m not interested in making parents feel guilty about screen time. There are plenty of ways technology can be educational, useful, and just plain fun. And, honestly? Sometimes parents just need a break and utilizing a screen can be an easy way to achieve that.

I like having screen-free options available so our kids remember there’s an entire world beyond their devices. Y’know, like how it was when we were growing up in the late 1900s.

They can build something.

Make something.

Explore somewhere new.

Spend time with their family.

And, sometimes, they just need a little reminder of what they could be doing. That’s exactly what these lists are for! Rather than handing your kids a list of 100 activities at once (holy moly overwhelming!), I’ve divided the ideas into four different categories. They can choose what they’re in the mood for and go from there.

25 Screen-Free Ways to Play

Sometimes kids just need to PLAY. Build a blanket fort. Pull out a board game. Have a paper airplane contest. Make an obstacle course. Play hide-and-seek. Build a marble run.

There doesn’t necessarily need to be an educational objective or elaborate plan attached to everything they do – play is valuable all on its own!

My 25 Screen-Free Ways to Play collection includes simple ideas involving games, movement, imagination, building, and good old-fashioned fun.

25 Screen-Free Ways to Create

Give the kids some supplies and see what they come up with!

They could draw a picture, write a story, make a collage, invent something, design a board game, create something from recycled materials, or even build something using only paper and tape. The creative opportunities are endless!

Creative activities give kids opportunities to experiment, problem solve, use their imaginations, and make something completely on their own.

And, yes, they might also totally cover the table in craft supplies. It happens!

My 25 Screen-Free Ways to Create collection includes art, writing, building, designing, crafting, and plenty of opportunities for kids to use their imaginations.

25 Screen-Free Ways to Explore

Screen-free activities don’t always have to happen at home! Take a nature walk, visit the library, or explore a park! Go birdwatching, visit a museum, or look for animal tracks! Go stargazing or check out a state or national park!

Exploration is one of my favorite ways to encourage learning because kids get to experience what they’re learning about instead of simply reading about it. A simple family outing can turn into a lesson in science, geography, history, art, or something you never even expected to learn about that day.

My 25 Screen-Free Ways to Explore collection is filled with ideas to help kids get outside, look around, ask questions, and discover something new.

If your family enjoys learning through experiences, you’ll also want to check out my homeschool field trip and educational travel resources for even more ideas!

25 Screen-Free Ways to Connect as a Family

This might be my favorite category!

Sometimes we’re all in the same room together, but everyone is doing their own thing. Setting the screens aside gives us an opportunity to actually spend some intentional time together.

Cook dinner. Work on a puzzle. Look through family photos. Take a walk. Play a game. Tell stories. Start a new tradition. It doesn’t have to be complicated!

My 25 Screen-Free Family Activities are designed to encourage conversation, laughter, teamwork, and plenty of quality time together.

You can also grab my Family Conversation Cards when you want an easy way to get everyone talking, sharing stories, and learning more about each other.

Get All 100 Screen-Free Activities

Can’t decide while list you want? Don’t! I’ve combined all four printable checklists into one 100 Screen-Free Activities printable pack.

You’ll get:

• 25-Screen Free Ways to Play
• 25-Screen Free Ways to Create
• 25-Screen Free Ways to Explore
• 25-Screen Free Ways to Connect

That’s 100 ideas ready for the next rainy afternoon, homeschool break, weekend at home, family night, or inevitable announcement that there’s “nothing to do.”

Print the entire set or choose the pages that work best for your family.

Want Even More Screen-Free Family Activities?

These 100 ideas are just the beginning!

If your family enjoys getting away from the screens and doing something together, be sure to check out my Family Learning Adventures.

The Family Learning Adventures series is all about encouraging families to learn, explore, create, and make memories together through simple screen-free experiences. Some adventures might take an afternoon while others take a few minutes. Some may happen at home while others give you an excuse to get out and explore.

The important part is that you’re doing them together.

The next time someone says they’re bored, put down the screens, choose an activity, and see where it takes you!

Until next time, stay safe, & enjoy quality time together,