It is important for children to develop a healthy balance between technology and screen-free time. Many parents find it quite challenging, and we’ve been there! So, we want to share with you some of our favourite screen free activities:

1. Go Outside

Getting outdoors is the ultimate distraction from technology! All you need to do is make sure you have weather-appropriate clothing, and you are good to go. If you need some help in choosing the right kit for your kids, check out the Outdoor Clothing Buying Guide.

You could head to your local park or woodlands, whether it is just going for a walk, a play in the park or perhaps playing games outdoors.

This is a great and inexpensive way to entertain your children. Plus, being outdoors and moving your body at any age is a great way to boost your energy, mind and mood and helps your little ones to get a good night's sleep.

You can find out more about the benefits of taking your children outdoors in one of our woodland blogs: 5 reasons walking in the woods benefits children.

2. Make Food Together

If there is one thing that children love to do, it’s eat! This is the perfect screen-free activity for your little one as it not only helps them learn a new skill, but you also get to eat and bond over food. Get your kids family with different ingredients and being safe within the kitchen. You could start with something easy like making sandwiches, or if you have a sweet tooth, you could make Rice-Krispy cakes!

3. Learn a New Screen-Free Skill

Following on from making food together, learning a new skill is a great way to keep your kids off their screens. Investing your time and effort, helping your little ones find a new skill or hobby will help you spend more time together and may even become their new screen-free obsession. Some ideas could be:

  • Gardening
  • Dancing
  • Handstands
  • Decorating Cakes
  • Origami
  • Photography (you could get a polaroid camera or a disposable camera)
  • Singing

The list is endless, there are so many fun-filled skills for your children to learn without a screen.

4. Build a Den

Whether you are indoors or outdoors, this is an activity all children love to do! If you have a garden, get your wellies on and set up a tent or use some old blankets and tie them to trees/fencing to build the perfect outdoor fort. You could make it even more fun by bringing out a picnic blanket, their favourite teddies and toys, followed by some hot chocolate and snacks in their new fun den!

The same goes for indoors, if you can do the same thing, by throwing blankets over chairs or tied to beds, and throw in some pillows! You could all sit around and read a story book or play some board games and enjoy a cosy den.

5. Go on a Bike Ride

This activity is so much fun and helps keep kids active, healthy and happy! Cycling is low impact but so much fun for all ages. If you have your own bikes at home, you can head out the door and go for a ride with your kids. Just remember you helmets and wear the appropriate clothing. Cycling in the rain can be fun too as long as you have the correct waterproof clothing.

best kids waterproofs

Alternatively, if you do not have bikes at a home. You could head out to a  bike park and rent bikes!

This can sometimes be costly depending on where you go, however there are many bike parks across the UK that have rentable bikes available. As well as cycle tracks suitable for all ages and abilities.

Cycling can help you little one gain confidence and boost their independence, plus it is another skill to add to the list!