Some days, I win. Other days, I bribe them with snacks and just try to survive until bedtime. But most of the time, I’m somewhere in between—trying to keep my kids engaged, off screens, and maybe even having fun.
We all know how easy it is to hand over a tablet. Believe me, I’ve done it. But I also started noticing the shift in their moods when they spent too much time staring at a screen. Less curiosity. More crankiness. So I’ve been trying a few things that actually work (some of the time).
Here’s what we’ve been doing instead.
Craft Time That Doesn’t Require a Degree in Pinterest
I don’t have the patience—or the supply closet—for elaborate crafts. But we keep it simple. Scissors, glue sticks, a big stack of old magazines, and paper. They make “menus” for pretend restaurants. Or cut out furniture to design their “dream rooms.”
Sometimes I print out coloring pages of stuff they’re into lately. One week it’s space, the next it’s sloths. I just go with it. And if the table ends up a mess? That’s what the vacuum is for.
Kitchen Helpers (Who Mostly Just Eat the Ingredients)
I try to let them help cook when I can. Not fancy meals—stuff like banana muffins, grilled cheese, or homemade pizza. It gives them something to focus on, and they love the part where they get to lick the spoon or “taste test” the shredded cheese.
Do they spill things? Constantly. Do I sometimes regret this idea halfway through? Yes. But they’re learning, and for a while, the kitchen becomes the stage for a little chaos that actually feels productive.
Outside, Even If It’s Just the Backyard
Sometimes the answer is literally: just go outside.
We set up obstacle courses with random things from the garage. They make up rules, change them halfway through, argue about who won, and then do it all over again.
If I need a break, I bring out a blanket and lie in the grass while they dig holes or collect weird rocks. No one’s bored when dirt is involved.
Minifigures and Made-Up Worlds
Here’s a trick I didn’t expect to work as well as it does—minifigures.
We started collecting a few from Minifig.biz (yes, that’s a real site), and they’ve become part of this whole imaginative play routine. They mix the figures into LEGO builds, use them in cardboard “theaters,” or even carry them around like they’re tiny sidekicks.
What I like about them is that they’re detailed enough to feel special, but not so precious I have to keep them on a shelf. We’ve got a “masked slasher” that somehow became the misunderstood mayor of their made-up city. A sparkly witch who runs a donut shop. A robot that mostly causes problems.
I’ll catch them doing voices. Arguing over plot twists. Building whole stories. It reminds me a little of what I did as a kid—just using whatever was around to act out something bigger.
Telling Stories (Even When They Make No Sense)
One of our favorite low-effort games is called “What Happens Next?”
We start with a sentence. “A bear wakes up and finds his fridge is missing.” Then each person adds the next part. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s weird. Usually both.
Sometimes we use the minifigs as characters, and the stories get even weirder. But that’s kind of the point.
We’ve written a few down. I keep them in a folder. I have no idea what I’ll do with them, but they make me smile when I look back.
When Screens Do Sneak Back In
Not every day is a perfect screen-free day. Some afternoons we just crash on the couch and watch a movie. That’s okay too.
But I’ve noticed that the more space I give them to create, the more they fill it. Not always right away. Sometimes they get “bored,” and I have to resist the urge to fix it. But eventually, something clicks, and they’re off doing something strange and wonderful.
And for me, that’s the sweet spot. When they’re just being weird little people, building stories out of toy bricks and kitchen spoons.
Final Thoughts
I don’t have a perfect system. I mess up a lot. I sometimes say, “Just watch a show,” because I’m tired or busy or overwhelmed. But I try. And when we do get a rhythm going—with crafts, or cooking, or silly minifig scenes—it’s worth it.
So that’s what’s been working for us lately.
If you’re looking for a screen break idea that might actually stick, give your kids a few little figures and see what they come up with. You might even end up joining the story.