Looking for screenless, budget-friendly activities to keep your kids captivated and entertained? This list provides ideas to stimulate your child’s imagination, encourage movement, and promote meaningful family time!
From tablets and mobile phones to video games and TVs, you can feel like your screen is everywhere. Technology certainly has its place, but giving your kids time is more important than ever off A screen that allows you to explore, create and engage the world around them.
Screen-free time not only benefits mental and physical health, but also promotes imagination, builds social skills and promotes real-world learning. That said, many parents face challenges like busy schedules, tight budgets, or children who simply don’t want to lower their devices.
The good news is: There’s no need to make it screen-free at once. Start small. Add an hour of outdoor time per week, or exchange one show for practical activities. Over time, these small changes connect and make a huge difference.
Free screen activities for kids on a budget
Here’s to help you get started 50 Frugal Screen Free Activities for Kids It’s fun, easy and perfect for all ages. Be sure to check Free Summer Bucket List There are many more ideas!
1. Teach them skills (gardening, cutting, cooking, etc.)
Passing life skills builds confidence and gives your kids a sense of responsibility…and you can even get help around the house!
2. Play a board game or do a puzzle
Throw away those family classics or grab a puzzle from a thrift store. They are especially great on rainy days! This post has some of my favourite board games for under $30 and you can play them over and over again!
3. Take a walk or ride a bike
Movement +Natural = win-win. It is also a great time to observe wildlife and explore new areas.
4. Training together
Turn on training videos for kids and stretch or do yoga. It boosts your mood and gives you energy. If you don’t know where to start, Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube It’s so much fun!
5. I’m going for a berry picking
Many local farms offer affordable options. It’s fun, educational and tasty.
6. Attend Craft Time at Hobby Lobby or Michaels
These stores often offer free or low cost craft classes for kids. Check your schedule online. (We’ll also post all the latest free kids activities when they pop up!)
7. Eat one meal every day
Whether it’s breakfast on the porch or dinner in the park, eating outside can be more memorable meal times and it’s easier to avoid screen temptation.
8. Try a crochet or knitting kit
These beginner kits It’s usually a great way to keep your little hands busy, at a reasonable price.
9. Make homemade theatrical fabric
You need some simple ingredients to make homemade theatrical dough, and doing it together is a fun activity in itself (and it’s a low-stressing way to teach your child’s cooking skills!).
10. Volunteer at a local food bank or animal shelter
If your child wants to join the community, this will help you teach empathy and teamwork while helping others. Call ahead to ask about age requirements.
11. I’m going shopping at the recycle store
Give your kids a small budget and look at books, clothes, puzzles and more, including treasures they can find. They love going shopping and go home with new activities!
12. I’m going to go to geocaching as a family
Use the free app to find hidden “treasures” nearby. It’s like a modern scavenger hunt!
13. Paint the rocks and hide them around the neighborhood
Add a little support to your community with painted rocks of kindness.
14. I’m going to the local museum
Many museums have free days and discounted admissions for children, making them perfect for summer outings.
15. Scrapbook their summer
Collect photos, drawings, ticket stubs and memories to create a scrapbook or diary.
16. Make a friendship bracelet or slime
These timeless crafts are cheap and keep your hands busy for hours. We love it This beaded friendship bracelet kit And this slime recipe is one of our favorites!
17. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Turn your driveway into an art gallery, obstacle course or Hopscotch Heaven.
18. Please do a yard camp out
Sellers tents, roast marshmallows, tell stories, and watch the starry sky from your backyard.
19. I’ll go to the theater on a discount
Local cinemas often have a movie day of $1-2 during summer holidays. Check out our list of family-friendly movies. This activity includes screens, but it’s worth having a fun family experience and then you can talk about the film together!
20. Pick up trash at a local park
This is an easy way to give back and take care of your environment.
twenty one. We will hold a baking contest
Choose a theme, set a timer and see what delicious pieces your kids can whip.
twenty two. Making origami
All you need is a paper and a YouTube tutorial, which is perfect for building focus and patience.
twenty three. Spa Day
Use any items you have at home, such as face masks, cucumber slices, and nail polish. This is perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening around the house.
twenty four. Make a collage board using old magazines
Let your children cut and glue images that inspire them or express their dreams.
twenty five. Create an outdoor obstacle course
Use corn, chalk, hula hoops, or anything you find in your garage to build your backyard challenge.
26. Give them room to renovate
Whether it’s their bedroom or the corner of the house, let them reposition, clean and decorate.
27. Visit all the local parks
Make your goal to explore all the parks in your town. Each one has something unique to offer.
28. Make a time capsule
This can be a lot of fun for kids! Fills containers that open your current favorites, texts, and drawings in a year (or five!).
29. Exchange toys with friends
Kids love “new” toys. Organize your swaps and update your toy boxes without spending 10 cents.
30. Play card games
Please tell me them Dutch Or let them create classics like Go Fish, War, Crazy Eights, or your own rules.
31. Create a backyard scavenger hunt
Hide objects around the garden and create a checklist to find everything.
32. Write a letter to your family
Please reply snail email! Children can draw and write notes to their grandparents and cousins.
33. Learn juggling or hula hoops
It’s stupid and active, and helps you build coordination and perseverance.
34. Building a blanket fort
Classic rainy day activities – perfect for reading, snacks and incredible adventures.
35. Do a science experiment
Build volcanoes, grow crystals, and build DIY lava lamps using supplies you already have.
36. Set up a lemonade stand Or yard sale
Have your kids practice math, creativity and entrepreneurship with homemade drink stands and yard sales.
37. Chore treasure hunting
Hide small prizes and coins around the house, and let the kids advance by completing small tasks in each location.
38. Let’s go for a walk in nature with themes
Try “Find the Red,” “Counting the Birds,” or “Collecting Interesting Rocks.”
39. Create your own board game
Invent a new family game from scratch using cardboard boxes, markers and dice.
40. Collect leaves and flowers and press them
Create a nature journal or framed artwork along with your pressed discoveries.
41. Watch the sunset together
This is a beautiful way to involve the day and talk about what went well.
42. Play hide and seek
This never gets old indoors or outside. There are particularly small ones.
43. Build and test paper planes
See whose plane fly the farthest or fastest. Decorative bonus points!
44. Please read the book
One of the best free screen activities for kids is to read, of course! Start a family reading material, take part in the Library Reading Challenge, use the printable reading challenge, or have your kids choose their own adventures.
45. “Zero Dollar” fashion show
Put on your kids in costumes and old clothes and strut things on the DIY runway.
46. Make dolls and hold shows
Use socks, paper bags or spoons. After that, they play for their family.
47. Please try the photo
Give your child a checklist of phones and cameras and photos: blue, shiny, funny. Or just take a selfie together. You will cherish those photos forever!
48. Create a cartoon
Let your child explain and write their own superheroes and stupid stories.
49. Learn to create art together
Learn online and take it offline! Craftsy and Artist Academy Perfect for learning new art skills. (Bonus: Membership for each site is currently under $2!) Use these sites to gather inspiration and explore techniques. Next, put down your device and watch your kids create off-screen hours with new skills!
50. Play “restaurants” or “stores”
Set up menus, money and roles. Kids love to pretend to take your orders and ring your groceries.
51. Create a “yes” day
For reasons, say yes to all children’s simple demands of the day. You will be amazed at their creativity.
Encouraging children to explore other ways to spend more time than screens opens the door to deeper creativity, stronger relationships and valuable life skills. And remember: start small. Select one or two activities per day. And most importantly, enjoy making important memories.
More screen-free inspiration you might enjoy:
- Why should you read your child aloud (with Jennifer Pepito)
- 101 Listen to Audiobooks with Kids
- Suitable odds for 15 4-year-olds
- Difficult truths learned from a month using the Opal app
- My Words for 2025: No plugs removed
- A simple summer activity for kids is under $1!
What other free screen activities for kids would you like to add to this list? please tell me!
Free Summer Bucket List!!
100 creative ideas for simple fun with kids!
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
