Are you looking to keep your toddler entwined with activities that are screen free, and great for desperate times? I created a lost of 50 Simple, and fun go to activities to keep toddlers entertained without screens. Here is a list of 50 Go-To Screen Free Activities For Kids.

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Similar Fun Screen Free Activities For Kids:
50 Screen Free Activities For Kids
Here is a list of go-to screen free activities for kids. These are my go to activities when I’m out of ideas but I need something to keep my kids busy and entertained.
Creative Screen Free Activities
- Drawing & coloring on plain paper or coloring sheets
- Painting with water paint
- Make a paper collage from newspapers
- Playdough sculpting
- Building with air-dry molding clay
- Sidewalk chalk paint outside
- Create friendship bracelets
- Cutting and pasting shapes – Shape picture collage
- Paper folding crafts – origami
- Building a tiny house from cardboard boxes
Imaginative Play Screen Free Activities
- Pretend grocery store setup
- pretend restaurant dramatic play
- Dress up with simple costumes or clothes
- Puppet show with socks or brow paper bags
- Tea party with stuffed animals
- Build a tent with pillows, couch cushions and blankets
- Post office dramatic play – write letters.
- DIY car race tracks with tape or cardboard boxes
- Play school, house, or doctor.
- Treasure hunt with hidden objects
Screen Free Movement Activities
- Indoor scavenger hunt
- Indoors obstacle courses
- Play a game of freeze with music
- Play a game of ballon toss, dot let the ballon hit the ground
- Hopscotch indoors with tape
- Play a game of hide and seek
- Play Simon Says
- Play red light, green light
- Family game of musical chairs
- Who can jump the longest, play a game of jump rope.
Learning and Stem Screen Free Activities
- Build a tall tower with magna tiles
- Create patterns with beads or buttons
- Vinegar, baking soda, and food coloring science experiment
- Nature Scavenger Hunt ( Collect rocks, sticks, etc )
- Fun sorting game with household objects
- Build a bridge with craft sticks
- Put together puzzles
- Bake something – count and measure along the way
- Memory match card game
- Write, and draw a story
Quiet & Calming Screen Free Activities
- Take a picnic blanket outside and read outdoors
- Listen to an audio book or Yoto player if you have one ( We love our Yoto Player)
- Create picture with stickers
- Color by the number coloring sheets
- Write, and draw letters for family members
- Sting beads or pasta onto some string
- Sorting and organizing toys by color or size
- Cloud gazing ( What do you see)
- Kids yoga & meditation
- Create a cozy reading nook
Outdoor Screen Free Activities
- Ride scooters and bikes around the neighborhood
- Sidewalk Chalk Paint Activity– One of our favorites in the summer
- Nature scavenger hunt around the neighborhood or even at your local zoo
- Play Red Light / Green Light – A childhood favorite of mines
- Blow Bubbles – A crowd favorite with toddlers
- Play Tag or Hide & Go Seek – Another classic one
- Play Catch – A great gross motor activity
Why Screen Free Activities Matter!
There have been studies done that show children benefit from unstructured, hands on play. Play that allows them to be creative, and play without depending on screens ( tablets, phones, and televisions). Here are a few benefits of screen free time for kids:
- Promotes, and boosts creativity
- Encourages problem solving skills
- Fosters better relationships through cooperative play
- Can improve fine and gross motor skills through movement and exploration.
No matter what your day looks like, this list has options for every situation. Indoor activities, Outdoor activities, and even quiet activities!



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