There are times when our routines become a little out of whack and the kid’s normal allocation of screentime inadvertently increases. No need to feel guilty or like you have to face a battle to bring the device use back to a more reasonable level.

I’ve put together 40 ways to get your kids to put their screens down! They’ll probably be too busy having fun to even notice that they are spending less time playing Minecraft and watching music videos!

1. Run through the sprinkler
2. Do some gardening and/or watering
3. Go on a bike or scooter ride
4. Visit the beach
5. Go to the pool
6. Have a picnic in the backyard – younger children can invite their teddies
7. Read some books – alone and out loud
8. Write a story and make your own book
9. Take turns to tell stories
10. Got a Trampoline?
    1. Jump on it
    2. Attach the hose to it
    3. Write on it with chalk
11. Put a blanket or tarp on it and create a cubby house
12. Do a puppet show
13. Make a cubby house
14. Have a pillow fight
15. Make an obstacle course
16. Go for a walk – take the dog
17. Put on a fashion show
18. Do some crafting with items from around the house
19. Go on a nature hunt
20. Meditate and exercise
21. Do arm or thumb wrestles
22. Play cards
23. Cook together
24. Do a puzzle
25. Colour in or draw
26. Make a family tree
27. Play some ball games – tunnel ball, soccer, catch – got a basketball hoop?
28. Play I spy
29. Play Tag
30. Go to the local park
31. Ride bikes & scooters
32. Play hide and seek
33. Go Fishing
34. Do word searches or crossword puzzles
35. Help with some jobs around the house
36. Play Bingo
37. Make Masks
38. Play with Balloons
39. Wash the car
40. Draw on the driveway or footpath with chalk

Grab your calendar now and fill the kid’s free time with some of these activities! I even have a printout of these that I keep on the wall so that the kids can choose an activity to do when they are ‘bored’ instead of picking up a device.