50 Ideas To Keep Your Kids Busy During Screen-Free Week

I think it's safe to say that we all want our kids to spend fewer hours each week watching TV or playing games on their tablets — especially as the weather is warming up.

Screen-Free Week is the perfect way to start easing into that summer schedule of spending more time outdoors and less time zoning out in front of some kind of device.

It's pretty easy to replace screen time with games, reading, exploring, playing and creating, but sometimes, it's even nicer to have a whole list to keep you and your family inspired.

Or maybe you could go one step further and challenge your kids to complete as many of these 50 screen-free activities for kids to enjoy during Screen-Free Week.

1. Grab some blankets, pillows and couch cushions and make a fort.

2. Explore new areas in your neighbourhood by going on a family bike ride.

3. Walk to a local pond and skip stones.

4. Feed the ducks at a local pond, but make sure it's not bread.

5. Have a campfire and roast marshmallows. And if that won't work, try this craft to bring the campfire indoors.

6. Design and make your own board game. Then spend time teaching your friends and family how to play it.

7. Whip up a batch of your favourite cookies.

8. Make a bird feeder using seeds and hang it somewhere in your backyard.

9. Grab your ball glove and play catch with a friend.

10. Draw with chalk on the driveway.

11. Visit a local museum.

12. Go bowling.

13. Do a random act of kindness.

14. Did it rain recently? Head outside and splash in some puddles!

15. Play a game of Mad Libs and take turns reading your hilarious stories out loud.

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16. Blow bubbles, or make bubble-print art.

17. Gather up some supplies to make a batch of slime to play with.

18. Build a fairy garden. Or maybe a dinosaur terrarium is more your thing?

19. Have an epic pillow fight with your family.

20. Head outdoors and go on a nature hike.

21. Play a game of hide and seek.

22. Visit your local library and borrow some new books.

23. Help out in the community by volunteering at a local shelter.

24. Search for bugs and observe them. Maybe make nature bugs out of the fallen leaves that are collected.

25. Take advantage of the spring weather and go fly a kite.

26. Write in a journal.

27. Gather your friends for a game of tag.

28. Help your family out by cleaning up the yard.

29. Make a family scrapbook.

30. Have a family game night and play your favourite card and board games. Now's your chance to try out the board game that you designed yourself!

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31. Find a new playground to play at.

32. Turn the exercise ball into a boredom buster with these activities!

33. Read a book or a comic. Maybe one of those ones you picked up from the library?

34. Have a play date with a friend. Try inviting a friend that you've never had over before.

35. Play a game of hopscotch, or try this sidewalk chalk jumping game.

36. Practice an instrument and/or put on a concert for your family or friends.

37. Help wash the car and scrub off the spring dirt.

38. Put together a puzzle.

39. Pretend you're an animal and try doing some animal walks.

40. Go swimming.

41. Play a game of charades.

42. Pitch a tent and camp out in the backyard.

43. Enjoy a meal at a new local restaurant.

44. Write and illustrate your own book.

45. Climb a tree.

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46. Do some spring cleaning by going through your clothes and toys to declutter. Donate the unwanted items.

47. Have a picnic at a local park or in the backyard.

48. Play with a sensory bin.

49. Grab a skipping rope and see how many times you can jump in a row!

50. Plan a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt.

That should be plenty of ideas to keep your kids busy during Screen-Free Week!