Looking for best screen free activities for toddlers? Discover creative and educational ideas that keep little ones engaged without relying on screens.
Introduction
I am a homeschooling mom of six kids. And in today’s article, I’m going to be sharing with you my favorite and best screen free activities for toddlers and preschoolers.
We are kind of doing a no-screen-at-all rule right now, like zero screens with them at the moment. We do this several times throughout the year where we just cut back all screens. During our homeschool year, Monday through Friday, we have no screens at all.
When we get out of that routine, things can get a little hairy. Attitudes start flying, I notice more fighting, less sharing, and lots of snatching. That’s when I know we need a screen detox.
So if that is something you’re interested in, stick around.
Play-Dough Fun
The first thing is kind of a no-brainer, but Play-Dough never fails. I make my own Play-Dough, and you can really see the difference.
- If you have a child that can’t have dyes or is sensitive to smells, homemade Play-Dough is the way to go.
- It does not harden when exposed to the air and it remains soft and everlasting.
- I prefer to use some of the essential oils such as lavender as a calming agent or spices during the Christmas season.
Play-Dough Tools & Ideas
- We have rollers with grooves (from Lakeshore Learning).
- Nature stampers with animal footprints and trees.
- Alphabet stampers that my older kids use to stamp sight words into Play-Dough.
- A Mr. Potato Head–style Play-Dough set with arms, hats, glasses, and eyes. My kids played with this for almost 2 hours!
- Osborne Play-Dough book with step-by-step ideas.
- Laminated Play-Dough mats with educational prompts, like making vegetables to fill a basket.
This is honestly one of my little ones’ favorite activities, and I love setting it out as an invitation to create.
Magnetiles – My #1 Recommendation
When asked what my number one favorite toy is as a mom of six, I always say Magnetiles.
The magnets don’t fall out, the creativity is endless, and they’re the number one thing my kids gravitate toward. We’ve had them since my oldest was little, and even now he helps entertain the younger ones with them.
They now make themed sets—dinosaurs, farm, animals, princess—and each one sparks new imaginative play.
Wooden Toys & Imaginative Play
We also love wooden toys like:
- Grimm’s Wooden Rainbow Stackers – My kids use these as marble runs or as part of their pretend play worlds.
- Wooden Animals – A pricier but heirloom-quality item. My kids love them even more than plastic animals. A fun activity is freezing them in muffin tins with water, then letting toddlers “rescue” them with droppers in warm water.
These toys, along with big building blocks, help my kids create entire worlds that keep them busy for hours.
Arts & Creative Play
My kids are super into art, and we do art multiple times a day.
Some favorite and best screen free activities for toddlers include:
- Watercolor Gel Crayons (Ulie brand) – They glide smoothly and are fun to use.
- Step-by-Step Drawing Books – Even my three-year-old can follow along.
- Usborne Painting Books – Just add water and paint over black-and-white pictures.
- Melissa & Doug Water Books – Another reusable painting option.
I like to set these out in the morning as “invitations to create.” Stickers, paper rolls, toilet paper tubes, and markers also work great for simple DIY crafts.
Screen-Free Audio Options
Two of our family favorites are the Yoto Player and the Toniebox.
- Yoto Player – Kids listen to stories, music, or even drawing tutorials using special cards. Each of my kids has one, and it’s perfect for quiet time.
- Toniebox – Practically indestructible and ideal for toddlers. Kids place little magnetic characters on top, and it plays stories or songs.
Both of these are wonderful screen free alternatives that encourage listening and imagination.
Puzzles, Games & Quiet Time
- Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles – A great thrift store find that keeps little ones engaged.
- Bird Bingo – Fun and educational with realistic pictures.
- Search-and-Find Books – Perfect for quiet time.
For quiet time, each child gets a bin with activities like puzzles, beads, or books. They also listen to their Yoto or Toniebox with headphones.
Beads & Bracelets
Another favorite activity is giving toddlers pony beads and pipe cleaners to make bracelets. It’s calming, great for fine motor skills, and keeps them busy while listening to stories.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the best screen free activities for toddlers and preschoolers that have worked wonders in our home. With six kids and over 13 years of thrifting and homeschooling, I’ve gathered quite a collection of ideas.
I hope this inspires you to try a screen free summer or a screen free fall with your little ones. If you’d like me to share more about our quiet time bins or other toddler activities, let me know—I’d be happy to put together another list.
Thanks for being here, and I hope you got some great ideas for keeping your toddlers busy without screens!
