100+ screen-free activity ideas for children and teens of all ages, organized by indoor/outdoor categories and time requirements
When trying to reduce screen time, one of the biggest challenges families face is answering the question: "But what else is there to do?" This collection of screen-free activities provides plenty of alternatives for different ages, interests, and situations.
The activities are organized into several categories:
Each activity includes age recommendations, time requirements, and sometimes materials needed. Print this resource and keep it handy for those moments when the urge to reach for a screen is strong!
Make simple science experiments with household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar volcanoes or cornstarch slime.
Set a timer and challenge kids to rearrange or declutter part of their room creatively in just 15 minutes.
Turn off the lights and use flashlights to "tag" each other by shining the light on another player.
Gather items with interesting textures, sounds, smells, and tastes and explore them blindfolded.
Design paper airplanes and compete for distance, accuracy, or flight time.
Hide small items around the house and create simple clues for finding them.
Find unusual words in the dictionary and challenge family members to guess the correct definition.
Set up a "net" using string and play volleyball with balloons that won't damage anything indoors.
Learn to fold paper into animals, flowers, or geometric shapes using origami techniques.
Set up empty plastic bottles as pins and use a soft ball for indoor bowling.
Set up a mini-tournament with multiple board games, keeping score across all games.
Create elaborate forts using blankets, furniture, clothespins, and flashlights.
Save cardboard boxes to build castles, cars, spaceships, or entire cities.
Create a family cooking competition where teams must prepare dishes using specific ingredients.
Design a challenging obstacle course using furniture, pillows, and household items.
Create a simple escape room with puzzles and clues hidden around the house.
Organize a talent show where each family member performs a skill, song, magic trick, etc.
Set up tents in the living room, tell stories by flashlight, and make indoor s'mores.
Create artwork throughout the week, then hold a "gallery opening" with snacks and "tours."
Read the same book (or different age-appropriate versions) and discuss over special snacks.
Create a series of competitive events using household items like water balloon tosses, sack races, and obstacle courses.
Create a list of natural items to find (different types of leaves, rocks, evidence of animals, etc.).
Set up a bird feeder, get a basic identification guide, and keep a log of birds you see.
Use a paper map to locate local geocaches in parks or public spaces.
Transform your driveway or sidewalk into a massive art gallery with chalk creations.
Spend an hour picking up litter at a local park or in your neighborhood.
On a clear night, lay out blankets and identify constellations with a star chart.
Plan a family bike ride to a new destination with a specific goal or landmark to find.
Find clues online for letterboxes hidden in your area, or create your own for others to find.
Set up tents in the backyard for a "camp-out" complete with stories and star-gazing.
Collect meaningful items, photos, and letters to create a time capsule to open in 5-10 years.
Plant and maintain a small vegetable or flower garden, tracking growth and changes.
Work on detailed model kits (planes, cars, ships) that require multiple sessions to complete.
Create a collection of favorite family recipes, complete with stories and photos.
Identify a cause important to your family and work on a service project to support it.
Take on an age-appropriate home improvement project like repainting a room together.
Research family history through old photos, interviews with relatives, and public records.
Create an original story with illustrations, then bind it into a simple book.
Create a physical collage of goals, dreams, and inspirations using magazines and art supplies.
Create personalized decorations like string art, photo displays, or painted furniture pieces.
Start a creative journal combining planning, goal tracking, and artistic expression.
Transform old clothing items into new pieces through cutting, sewing, and embellishing.
Visit local independent coffee shops to find a favorite study or reading spot.
Write physical letters to friends, relatives, or even celebrities you admire.
Begin learning a musical instrument through library books or local classes.
Find local opportunities to volunteer with causes that match personal interests.
Spread a blanket on the floor and enjoy a picnic-style meal indoors.
Build a fort, then watch a movie on a portable DVD player (not streaming) inside it.
Create a list of unusual household items to find as quickly as possible.
Use a sheet and flashlight to create shadow puppets and tell stories.
Begin collecting something affordable like rocks, coins, or stamps.
Fill a box with random materials and challenge family members to create something.