125+ Low-cost Screen-free Activities for Kids

As noted, we’re trying to cut back on screen time. Also as noted, when we asked our kids to come up with screen-free ideas, most involved lots o’ money, like ice skating, shopping, going to the beach, concerts and so on. We explained to the kids that they need to get jobs if they want to support $-based screen-free activities and also pointed out that there are plenty of things kids can do that are super low-cost or free.

Below are some low-cost or free screen-free activities I came up with for my own household. My ideas are based mostly on supplies we already have around (sports equipment, art goods, etc). If your home is missing some of this stuff, costs will go up in the short term, but down again for the long haul.

Also, although the kids in my home are all over the age of 10, I’ve included activities for younger kids too – because I know many of you still have babies, toddlers and younger kids. I’ve included solo screen-free activities, as well as some that require more than one person. Lastly, some of these activities require parent help, but many are kid-independent.

Chill indoor activities (although some can be done outside too):

• Read alone.
• Read together.
• Start a family book club.
• Flip through cookbooks and decide on cool food to make.
• Draw.
• Build an entire Lego city.
• Do a crossword puzzle or play Sudoku.
• Play the “same word game” – Cedar and I go back and fourth thinking of words that sound the same but have different meanings. For example, “Can” means “Soup comes in a tin can” or “I can do it” or “Dance a can can.” Cedar NEVER gets tired of this game. We’ve been playing for years and it’s our go-to car travel game.
• Research your family and create a family tree.
• Learn some math you think is too hard for you.
• Make organic homemade pretzels in funny shapes.
• Paint.
• Get a Rubik’s Cube and gosh darn it, figure it out.
• Start a journal.
• Design your own comic book.
• Make a mix CD for your best friend.
• Get ready to explore your entire world.
• Write a story (or poem or song).
• Listen to records.
• While you listen to records arrange your LPs into piles – worst covers, best, goofy and so on. Look at all the cool inner liners.
• Talk.
• Put your photos into an album.
• Have a tea party.
• Learn yoga.
• Do makeovers – hair, make-up, nails and more.
• Play board games.
• Learn sign language – get a library book about it.
• Design, make, then play your own board game.
• Play dress up.

Great skills for kids (and adults):

• Learn to cook or cooking activities in general.
• Set up a home recycling center.
• Bake bread.
• Learn to change the oil or a tire on a car.
• Can your kid get a job? Can they rake leaves, provide yard-cleaning services, hold a car wash, shovel snow or babysit? Help them figure it out.
• Learn to make homemade body care like soap, lip gloss and body scrubs.
• Plan out all your meals for one week ahead of time.
• Sew.
• Green audit your school.
• Start a compost pile.
• Learn to use a map and compass.
• Plant a low-cost garden – in the yard or in containers.
• Dream up a new flavor of homemade ice pops.
• Color some old clothing or sheets with juice or tea dye.
• Build a rain barrel (pdf) - lower cost if you work it right, plus saves you money.
• Get an early start on homemade holiday gifts - like this memory game.

“I’m bored” ideas – when kids start whining:

• Let them whine. Boredom never killed anyone.
• Make the kids clean the house.
• Have the kids cook a healthy dinner – all on their own.
• Wash and fold all the laundry.
• Teach the kids to do a family budget. See how many money-saving ideas they can come up with.
• Sort and make goodwill piles of all your old, never used stuff. Or hold a garage sale.
• Have kids wash the car (cars).

Fun crafty ideas for any age:

• Design some jewelry with beads. No beads? Check out Artterro’s low cost art jewelry kits.
• Make homemade organic clay and sculpt something.
• Build a fort.
• Design some papermache projects.
• If you own your home (and are brave) dedicate one wall in the house to a kid mural. Get some non-toxic paint and let the kids go nuts.
• Make a DIY play kitchen - have the kids make the play food with clay or other art supplies.
• Learn origami.
• Make puppets. Get an old box and hold a puppet show.
• Build a massive domino structure. Knock it down.
• Make your own paper dolls – get ideas from existing sets.
• Put on a talent show.
• Make something cool out of cardboard.
• Homemade organic finger paint.

• Make luminaries.
• Re-paint old furniture – like an old bookshelf.
• Most craft stores have extremely low-cost blank calendars (as in $2-$5). Pick one up and have your kid design next year’s calendar using scrap paper, stickers and magazine clippings.
• Start a kitchen window herb garden. Learn to cook with the fresh herbs you grow.
• Build a robot – I suggest you buy one low-cost Makedo Kit which will allow you to make a robot and a million other things too.
• Make some DIY summer toys.
• Make a lower-cost homemade dollhouse – decorate it.
• Make a family time capsule then hike into the woods and bury it.
• Make a homemade moon jar.
• Make homemade paper.
• Learn to play an instrument. Start a band.

Outdoor activities:

• Go for a walk.
• Chalk drawings.
• Build, then fly a kite.
• Start a rock collection.
• Get a magnifying glass – go see nature stuff close-up.
• Go animal tracking. See a kid-friendly guide to tracking.
• Play hide and seek.
• Gather acorns – make adorable creatures with them.
• Design a scavenger hunt for your friends.
• Go on a hike and learn how to mark a trail. REALLY fun for kids!
• Go to a little league game of some sort.
• Climb a tree.
• Create your own “get fit” family plan. Proceed to execute said plan.
• Take nature photos.
• Make and blow bubbles.
• Go stargazing tonight!
• Wait for the rain – go stomp through the mud and puddles.
• Go bird watching.
• Set up an obstacle course – use boxes, hula hoops and more.
• Camp out in the back yard.
• See how many neighborhood trees, flowers and plants you can learn the names of.
• Build and use a solar cooker.
• Collect flowers and plants, make a DIY flower press, then create a plant and flower book.

Active outdoor fun:

• Play tennis.
• Play basketball.
• Jump rope.
• Ride bikes.
• Capture the flag.
• Learn to do a perfect cartwheel.
• Run through the sprinklers.
• Learn archery.
• Learn a new sport – soccer and volleyball are good choices.
• Design, then play your own outdoor game.
• Go swimming – at the pool or lake.
• Hopscotch.
• Have a snowball fight or build a snow fort.
• Skateboard.

Out & about activities:

• Take a deep breath and send the kids out into the world alone for an adventure.
• Go to the park.
• Jump on the MAX or bus, ride downtown and window shop. Maybe get a cheap slice of pizza.
• Find a pick your own farm and get some fruit or veggies.
• See if your child can bowl free through kids bowl free.
• Often places like Home Depot and Lowes have free “Build it Yourself” classes for kids and adults.
• Go to a new area to hike.
• Head to the Farmers’ Market.
• Have a picnic.
• Go to the library.
• Go to a city fountain and splash around.
• Visit the fire station.
• Volunteer in your city.
• Find out when your town has free events – art shows, concerts in the park, etc, then go.
• Visit the local recycling center (or worse, the landfill). Later talk about recycling.
• Go to different churches each week to see how others think.
• Visit a local farm – many allow free visits for just a small return, say you buy fresh berries.
• Go geocatching. NOTE – this will require some cash to buy a GPS, but after that it’s low-cost.

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