Screen-free time does not have to mean a big craft project or a perfect plan. Most of the ideas below need paper, crayons and ten minutes to set up. They are sorted by age and by moment, so you can find something for right now.
Free and ready to print: make a name tracing page with your child's name, a picture routine chart, a letter from Santa, or get 3 free activity pages.
Ages 2 to 4: little hands, big wins
- Dot marker pages. Dab a dot in every circle. Great for hand control and colors. Our Dot Marker ABC & 123 pack has 36 pages.
- Sticker lines. Draw a few lines and let them stick stickers along each one.
- Color sorting. Sort toys, blocks or socks into piles by color.
- Velcro busy book. Matching colors, shapes and shadows they can play with again and again.
- Big, simple coloring pages. One shape per page is plenty at this age. Try our kids coloring pages.
- Playdough snakes and balls. Roll, squash, count.
- Water painting. A cup of water and a brush on the balcony or a chalkboard. No mess.
- Treasure basket. A basket of safe household objects to explore: a wooden spoon, a scarf, a cup.
- Bath-time pouring. Cups and a funnel in the bath.
- Name in big letters. Print their name huge and let them decorate it.
- Animal walks. Hop like a frog, waddle like a penguin, stomp like an elephant.
- Read the pictures. Let them tell you the story from the pictures in a favorite book.
Ages 4 to 6: letters, numbers and making things
- Trace their own name. The fastest way to make writing feel personal. Make one free in the Name Studio.
- Alphabet tracing. One letter a day. Our Trace the Alphabet pack covers A to Z.
- Color by number. Numbers, colors and a picture at the end. See Color by Number.
- Cut and stick collage. Old magazines, safety scissors and a glue stick.
- Build a blanket fort and read inside it with a flashlight.
- I spy with colors. "I spy something blue" works anywhere.
- Shop pretend play. Price tags, a basket and paper money.
- Morning routine chart. Kids love ticking off their own jobs. Make a free routine chart.
- Mazes and dot-to-dots. Short, satisfying puzzles.
- Bake together. Measuring and counting, with a snack at the end.
- Nature hunt. Find something round, something rough, something yellow.
- Puppet show. Socks or paper bags and a cardboard-box stage.
- Draw a map of your home or street.
Ages 6 to 10: bigger projects and games
- Paper squishies. Color, cut, tape, stuff and squish. Our guide shows how to make paper squishies.
- Word searches and crosswords.
- Write and illustrate a comic. Fold paper into six boxes and go.
- Scavenger hunt. Indoors or out. Our Road Trip & Explore pack has ready-made hunts.
- Board game tournament with a homemade score sheet.
- Origami. Start with a paper cup or a fortune teller.
- Cook a simple meal from start to finish, with help.
- Write a letter to a grandparent or a friend.
- Design a board game with dice and paper.
- Science in the kitchen. Baking soda and vinegar, or which things float.
- Start a collection (stones, leaves, stickers) and label it.
- Bingo night. Make cards with pictures or words.
- Learn a card game like Go Fish or Crazy Eights.
Rainy days and quiet time
- Audiobook and coloring. Ears busy, hands busy, calm room.
- Puzzle afternoon. Leave a puzzle out on a table all day.
- Bath-tub art with washable crayons.
- Indoor obstacle course with pillows and chairs.
- Quiet bin. A box of activities that only comes out at quiet time.
Car rides and waiting rooms
- Car bingo. Spot a red car, a bridge, a dog. See our car bingo cards.
- 20 questions.
- Story chain. Each person adds one sentence.
- Pocket coloring kit. A few folded pages and four crayons in a zip bag.
Cozy winter and holiday ideas
- Advent countdown activities. One small family activity a day. Try our advent countdown.
- Letter from Santa. Make a free personalized letter from Santa and leave it by the tree.
- Christmas coloring and games. See all our Christmas printables.
Tips that make screen-free time easier
- Keep a ready box. Paper, crayons, tape and a few printed pages within reach.
- Offer two choices, not ten.
- Start it with them, then step back.
- Use routines. Screen-free time is easier when it happens at the same time every day.
Want new activity pages every month? Take a look at the Lune Club, or browse all kids printables.