Cutting back on screens is easier when you have a list of go-to alternatives. Here are 25 ideas that need little prep.
Imaginative play
- Build a dinosaur world on the living room floor.
- Set up a pretend zoo with animal figures.
- Create an ocean rescue station in the bathtub (with waterproof toys).
- Stage a puppet show behind the couch.
- Run a toy store with a homemade price list.
Building and making
- Assemble a mini building set together.
- Make a cardboard castle.
- Design a marble run with paper tubes.
- Build a blanket fort.
- Sculpt animals from play dough.
Learning games
- Play a fast spelling game like SPELL IT! spelling games.
- Do a scavenger hunt for letters around the house.
- Sort figures by color, size or habitat.
- Count insects in the garden.
- Make a simple map of your neighborhood.
Active play
- Dinosaur stomp dance party.
- Animal yoga poses.
- Obstacle course in the hallway.
- Balloon volleyball.
- Freeze tag with animal sounds.
Calm-down activities
- Picture-book reading nook.
- Coloring prehistoric scenes.
- Listening to an audiobook.
- Puzzle time.
- Quiet "museum" display of favorite toys.
Many of these ideas start with a box of figures. Our Discovery Eggs make it easy to grab-and-play anywhere.