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If you’re a busy mom trying to find easy screen free activities for kids, but everything feels overwhelming or messy (or even straight up unrealistic), you’re not alone. This post will list out simple, low-mess ideas that keep your kids occupied so you can actually breathe for a minute. Because we all need it.
The hard truth is that as our screen time goes up as moms, so does our kids’. And I don’t know if its just my kids, but screens aren’t even their favourite activity. They’d much rather be doing crafts (like the ones I shared in this blog post here), playing imaginative games like dress up, or running around outside. But sometimes my nervous system is too tapped out to let them do crafts unsupervised and the weather does not cooperate for outdoor play. This happened just the other day. I just wanted to make dinner in peace. That was it. And I caught myself reaching for a screen again… and I realized screens while I make dinner had become a part of our routine.
If you are looking for ways to reduce your own screen time as a busy mom, even if you have an online business, read this blog post here about 5 ways to stay off social media for your mental health.
That’s when I realized the problem wasn’t screens. It was I didn’t have anything else ready. And that most “kid activities” create more work for moms (and more cleanup).
In this post:
Why Most Screen Free Activities Don’t Actually Work
A lot of activities look good on Pinterest and Instagram, but for me, they’re too much.
- too much supplies
- too much setup
- too much supervision
- too much cleanup
And when you’re already overstimulated, this can cause more harm than good.
And then you add the guilt of screens on top.
What most of us actually need are activities that:
- keep little hands busy
- don’t take over the whole house
- give us actual moments of quiet
That’s where these come in.
If you are looking for more seasonal screen free activities, you might like these blog posts here:
- 12 Simple Spring & Easter Crafts Kids Love (Mom-Approved)
- 10 Easy Toddler Christmas Crafts Moms Love
- How to Make Treasure Baskets for Your Toddler
Easy Screen Free Activities for Kids that Actually Give You a Break
Simple set-it-and-forget-it activities
I first introduced my set it and forget it in my blog post about feeding picky toddlers, and I’ve decided to extend it into this one here. These are the activities that require almost nothing from you once they’re set up. And the set up itself is virtually nothing.
They’re repetitive, simple, and surprisingly calming for kids.
Sticker books or sticker scenes
Tape stuck to a table (or any surface) for peeling
Post-it notes on a wall to pull off (scavenger hunt style)
They’re not exciting to us, but kids love them. They literally never fail for me.
Creative Screen-Free Activities For Kids and Toddlers
Here I have rounded up a handful of my favourite activities I do with my kids and come back to again and again. I have linked the original inspiration, and over time we have out our own spin on the craft to keep things interesting! They all use simple supplies you can use over and over.
Quiet screen free activities (for when you need a break)
What you’ll need (click to find on Amazon):
- Ziploc bags
- Pony beads
- Paper and a printer (for printables)
- Tape
- Corn starch, food colouring & lotion (for cloud dough) – these plant based colours won’t stain little fingers!
These all require some set up, but can keep your kids entertained for hours.
One of my favourite resources for activities for kids is Best Ideas for Kids. The blog features free printables and activities listed by age and interest (science, sensory, etc). My kids are obsessed with science so this site has been invaluable to me for age appropriate “experiments”!
My favourites quiet ones are listed here:
Other ideas could be:
- A toy wash (a bucket of soapy water to wash toys or cars!)
- Set up a fort for them and let their imaginations run wild
- Cereal bracelets (cheerios and string work great!)
- Pasta threading (penne and spaghetti noodles, you can stick the penne in play dough for stability!)
- Rolling up play dough into shapes and having them cut it up (with safety scissors)
Hands-on activities (for when you can be more involved)
What you’ll need (click to find on Amazon):
- Paper and various office supplies
- Safety scissors
- Pipe cleaners
- Sticks from outside
- Water colour paints
- Crayons
- Construction paper
- Glue sticks
These are great screen free activities, but definitely require more involvement from a parent. These are great for mid afternoon when your littles might be napping and you want to spend time with your older children. These can of course be changed and evolved to whatever your kiddo’s interests might be! Let your (or their!) inspiration shine.
- Make a Book
- Handprint Butterfly Craft
- Pipe Cleaner Stick Wands
- Easy Winter Painting for Kids
- Paper Rainbow Craft
The messy ones (for when you are okay with cleaning)
What you’ll need (click to see on Amazon):
- Construction paper
- Safety scissors
- Tempura paint (washable and non-toxic – this set has lots of colours and includes brushes!)
- Acrylic paint (for the rocks – I would suggest only adults handle this one!)
- Corn starch and baking soda
- Shaving cream
I know this isn’t what most of us are looking for 😅 But we have personally tried many of these and they are a HIT. If you’re having a high-capacity day and want to tackle these screen free activities that involve some clean up, here are my favourites:
- Snowflakes
- Monster Blow Painting
- Rainbow Suncatcher
- Oobleck
- Shaving Cream Sensory Play
- Free Choice Paint
- Fizzy Art (Baking Soda Paint)
- Painted Rocks
Real-Life Activities That Make Kids Feel Helpful
You ever hear the saying, the younger the child the more helpful they want to be and the least helpful they are, and the older the child the least helpful they want to be but the most helpful they are? 😅 This is so true. So here are some ideas to make your little one feel helpful without actually interfering with your tasks at hand 😂
Kids don’t always need entertainment. They often just want to feel included!
Some simple ways to do that:
- “Folding” washcloths
- “Sorting” socks
- Sweeping with this little broom, mop and dustpan set (my two year old plays with this every day!)
- Wiping walls and baseboards with a cloth and spray bottle (with water)
- Pouring things (water, rice, etc) between cups
How This Supports Your Glow Rhythm as a Mom
This isn’t about avoiding screens completely. It’s about having options.
Which, for too long, I didn’t have.
This isn’t a craft blog. It isn’t a screen free activities blog. It’s about intentional living at home, with your kids, in a way that still tells your nervous system you’re safe. Because sometimes choosing between the guilt of screens or the overwhelm of screen free activities is the last thing you need to add to your plate.
If this resonates, you might like this blog post about reducing your daily demands to match your capacity.
Making Screen Free Activities Easier On Yourself
If this is something you want to build into your routine, start small. Choose 2 or 3 activities and keep them accessible, rotate them, switch them up. Make paper bugs one day and paper farm animals the next. Each day doesn’t have to be a new set up.
If you’re working on creating more calm rhythms at home, try these resources here:
- 7-Day Home Reset Guide | A Repeatable 7 Day Reset To Create A More Functional Home
- 26-Week Home Cleaning Rhythm | Simple, Real-Life Routines for Moms
- Glow Weekly Rhythm Reset | A Gentle Decision Framework for Moms Who Are Overwhelmed
A Gentle Glow Reminder
I started ending my posts with these reminders, because sometimes despite all our intentions we still feel overwhelmed by the time we’re done scrolling. But here’s your reminder:
You don’t have to do this perfectly.
And some days might still be screen days.
And that’s ok. It’s about expanding your options, not removing any.
If you want more gentle rhythms, wellness support, and honest motherhood reflections, you can subscribe to my emails. I share simple ideas, updates, and occasional discounts there too.
If all you did today was keep your kids safe, fed, and somewhat occupied, that counts. Even if it involved screens.
