Need some great screen free activities for young kids? Here are 20 great activities for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy!
Do you ever just need for your kids to play something on their own while you finish a chore, make dinner, or take a breather? It’s easy to turn on a show or movie, but if you’re like me, that’s not your favorite option.
My kids do have a few shows they watch every now and then, but we try not to make it a daily habit. I would much rather them play a game together, do a hands on activity, or do something to be creative or imaginative.

How to engage kids without screens?
Sometimes in the moment of loud children, a messy house, and just feeling overstimulated, it’s really hard to think of an activity for your kids to do that doesn’t involve watching a show.
I wanted to create a list for myself to hang on my fridge that I could quickly glance at (while holding a fussy toddler), to divert their attention to something they would enjoy and that would calm everyone down for a hot minute.
Now, these ideas are for things that won’t necessarily be out for the children to play with on a regular basis. That would take the excitement and surprise away for the kids.
I don’t want to just stick another toy in their face, hoping it will make them calm down. That rarely works.
Rather, I want this to be something hidden that I can pull out that the kids will be excited about, that can be contained and cleaned up easily, and that will calm our house down for at least 10 minutes (hopefully longer!).
So, if you are like me and need some activities to switch gears from loud, wild, and fussy to calm, enjoyable, and dare I say relaxing, then let’s get to it!
How and where should I store these activities?
I have a storage cabinet that I keep our activities in. Granted, it could be much more organized. (Add that to my do list.)
I keep hands on activities, puzzles, craft supplies, etc. in this cabinet. The kids are not supposed to get into this cabinet, but they know that’s where the extra things come from and will often ask if they can get something out of there.
I love using these type clear storage containers with the lids that snap together. Any other type lids are hard to keep on, especially if they are stacked. The clear containers are really nice so you can quickly see what is in each container. You could even label them if you need to/want to.
For smaller activities, these clear zip bags are wonderful. They are sturdy, easy for the kids to zip, and you can see what’s inside clearly. Again, you could label these if needed, or even place these in the clear storage boxes to store nicely.
Again, I would try to keep these activities stored away, so that they can be “new” and exciting each time you bring them out.
Ok, let’s get to the list of boredom busting, screen free activities for young kids!
20 Boredom Busting, Screen Free Activities for Young Kids

I use these with my toddler and preschool age children. You can see what would work for your family.
You may already have some of these items to set up a full activity, or you may need a few simple supplies to complete an activity. Or, you may have some completely different materials already that you can make an activity kit with.
See what you have, and consider asking for other items for Christmas or birthday gifts for your kids. They probably don’t need another toy, but you could probably use a new activity to store away for “one of those days”.
Here are some of my favorite hands on, creative activities for toddlers and preschoolers:
You can gather these over time, look at resell shops, or ask for some of these ideas for kid’s gifts!
Of course, going outside is always a great screen-free activity and should happen almost everyday! This list focuses on indoor activities that kids can work on quietly by themselves, or with a parent for a calm playtime together.
1. Play-Doh and tools
We bought our kids a Play-Doh ice cream maker toy, and honestly just the regular tubs of Play-Doh and some great hand tools have been the popular pick with my kids. And it’s much easier to store!
So, get you one of those clear storage containers (with the snapping lid!) and fill it with different color Play-Doh and some tools (to cut with, roll the dough, shape cutters, etc.).
This is a great thing to ask relatives for when they ask what to get your kids for presents.
I ask my kids to keep Play-Doh at the kitchen table, where it’s easy to spread out and play for them and easy to wipe down and clean up after.
2. Kinetic Sand
If you have had kinetic sand in your home before, you probably have an opinion on it. Some parents strongly dislike it because of the clean up. I ask my kids to keep it in the tray they are playing with and at the table. It can be messy if it spills, but as long as it’s on a hardwood type floor, it’s easy to sweep up.
Even with the potential mess, it’s such a fun sensory thing for kids to play with.
I have two deep trays and two different colors for my kids to play with. I add the kinetic sand to the tray with a few different tools or toys to play with.
We have used small shovels, plastic spoons, little cups, animal figurines to make tracks or set up a zoo, trucks to scoop and fill dump trucks, and even letter magnets with things that start with that letter.
You can plan this out as much as you like, or just throw some random items in with it and see what your kids come up with.
Again, I wouldn’t buy a whole kit for this, just a couple colors of kinetic sand, some deep trays (a thrifted cake pan works great), and some things to play in it.
If you are worried about the mess, keep an old tablecloth (the vinyl, flannel backed ones work great) as a play area. Fold it up and dump the mess outside or in the trash after playtime.
3. Ready to go sensory bins
You can fill some of these trays with lids, a thrifted cake pan with lid, or the clear storage containers with lids, as a ready to go sensory bin.
Add some material like large glass beads, dried beans, dried pasta, sea shells, etc. Think about what is safe for your age kids!
Then, make a sensory bin with different materials and close the lid. Keep it put away and pull out for a ready to go sensory play time.
There are tons of ideas for these – see what you have on hand!
You could even add some water toys, sponges, and then add some water when it’s time to play.
Keep an old, waterproof tablecloth for the kids to stay on when they play with these for easy cleanup.
4. Shape Matching Games
These are fun games that will help your child work on shape recognition, matching, and fine motor skills. And they are fun!
Here are some great ones to try:
Egg Carton Shape Matching Game
5. Magnet Tiles
Magnetic tiles are such a fun thing to play. A storage container of these can be lots of fun.
You can find different sets here.
This can be a fun thing to play with your kids, too!
6. Water Color Doodle Mat
These are so fun, and fairly mess free – as long as the water doesn’t spill. I set ours out on the hardwood floor and keep a towel close by.
The kids just use a paint brush or pen dipped in water and it creates beautiful colors on the mat.
It’s a great way for kids to unwind and have fun while being creative and artistic.
You can find different water color doodle mats here.
This would be a great present for kids, too!
7. Peg Board Game
Add this one to your kid’s birthday or Christmas list.
This is a fun game for kids to build and work on counting, colors, and fine motor skills.
This is a great peg board game option.
8. Magnetic Fishing Game
This is a fun game for young kids to play alone or with a sibling.
You can store this in a clear zipper bag to keep everything tidy.
Here’s a great magnet fishing game option.
9. Connect 4 Game
Young kids may not get the concept of this game, but they love to put the pieces in.
It’s a great way to practice taking turns and work on those fine motor skills. As they get older, you can teach the idea of the game, but for younger kids, it’s just fun to put the pieces in.
You can get the Connect 4 game here.
You may have some other games already, that you can put in a bin or zipper bag for the kids to play – even if they won’t be able to play the “right way”.
10. Stamps
You may already have some stamps and ink pads on hand. I’m a big fan of using what you have!
You can place stamps, an ink pad, and a notebook or composition book in a zipper bag for a fun art activity.
These Melissa & Doug stamp sets are great for birthday gifts. You can keep them in the wooden box, or place them in a zipper bag for easier storage.
11. Paint Sticks + Sketchbooks
Paint sticks are my new favorite thing to use for art time with the kids!
They are so easy for the kids to use (think a glue stick, but paint), they make beautiful pictures with vibrant colors, and are really easy to clean up if they get off the paper.
You can place a sketchbook for each child and a set of paint sticks in a zipper bag for a great DIY art time activity.
Here are the paint sticks we use.
12. Puzzles
There can be a wide range puzzles for young kids. For the 2.5-5 year old range, I really like the 9 piece – 24 piece puzzles.
They are a little challenging, but keep the kid’s attention for more than a minute. At first, you may have to work these with your child, but after some practice, they can work them alone.
You can start with the larger pieces that only have 4-12, and then work towards the puzzles with more pieces.
Keep these in the clear zipper bags for easy storage. If you have several puzzles in zipper bags, you can keep all the bags in a bin to keep them all together. If needed, you could label them to know how many pieces and what puzzle it was.
Here are some great options to try:
Mudpuppy Animals of The World 4-in-A-Box Puzzle Set
13. Reusable Stickers
Reusable stickers can keep a child’s attention for an extended period of time and are one of those great activities that children can work on pretty quietly.
This is a great activity to pull out while you are making dinner. The kids can work at the table or kitchen island, while you work on dinner nearby.
We have a couple different types of reusable stickers, and both my kids love them!
You can try of one of these options:
14. Magnetic Dress Up Kits
My daughter received a magnetic doll dress up kit, and it keeps her attention for a long time. It does have a lot of pieces, so I would recommend storing the pieces in a clear zip up bag. The wooden boxes are tricky for kids to clean up and move without spilling.
There are also great options for boys, or those children that aren’t into girly dress up games.
Try one of these kits:
15. Bear Dress Up Game
I got the kids this game when we were doing our theme lesson on bears, especially for the Goldilocks and the Three Bears lesson.
They love to dress the bears up in different outfits, and it works as a puzzle, too, since each bear is a different size.
You can get this bear dress up game here.
16. Dot Markers
Dot markers are so fun for kids and easy to use without being right there beside them.
Grab some cheap sketchbooks from the dollar store, or a dot marker activity book, and let the kids work while you get something done or sit with them for a nice, quiet activity.
There are tons of dot marker options here.
17. Write and Wipe Books
These books are great for kids to trace things, work on writing letters and numbers, and trace shapes.
Kids use a dry erase marker and wipe with a little towel after they are done.
My 4 year old really loves these!
Here are some options to try:
18. Car Building Blocks
We have this set (I got it at a consignment sale for just a few bucks) and the kids love it. We actually keep ours out all the time since the kids play with it often – I use a large clear bin with a snapping lid, so it can’t be spilled out, unless they are playing with it.
You could keep this put away for special times when you need a fresh activity for the kids.
It’s a great way for kids to work on something with their hands, and they can make so many different creations. Both my 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter love these!
You can get the car building blocks here.
19. Rainbow Scratch Paper
This is such a fun, artsy activity for kids. We have this set and love this one particularly, because it comes with individual paper and multiple scratch pens, so it can be shared among siblings.
This would be a great activity to set out while you are getting dinner on the table!
Store these materials in a clear zip up bag, so everything is easy for the kids to use and put away.
You can get this awesome rainbow scratch paper set here.
20. Crayola Color Wonder
Add one of these sets to your stash of extra activities to pull out when your kids need a refresh.
These are so cool – the markers only show up on the special paper (which means you have to buy more paper when you run out). But, they are still really cool and the kids think they are special!
You may want to just give each child one paper each time you get these out to make it last longer.
Here are a few Color Wonder sets to try:
I can only get a few, which ones should I pick?
These are all great options for extra activities to have stashed away for “one of those days” when your kids need a refresh, and you need a minute to get something done.
However, you don’t need tons and tons of them! That might be overwhelming to you, hard to store, and a little expensive to get all at once.
You can get new activities for your kid’s birthdays or ask for these type gifts from relatives when they ask what your child might like (because they probably don’t need another toy, and you definitely don’t need another toy to pick up!).
That said, I would suggest starting with the ideas that will be long lasting and that your kids will get a lot of play time out of. Things like:
- paint sticks
- stamps
- water color mat
- car building blocks
- dress up games
- play-doh
- magnet tiles
Think about what your kids would play with the most, and what might hold their attention the longest.
You can definitely just start with one, solid activity that you keep stored away for special times.

When do I pull these activities out?
You’ll know.
I keep these type of activities stored in a cabinet, not in our main play area. So, the kids don’t play with them or even see them everyday.
I like to keep them special and “new”.
When I notice my kids having big feelings, acting too wild, or when everyone seems frustrated – I will have everyone come to the table to do a special activity. They usually cheer up and get excited about what I’ve brought out.
Other times, I need to get something done and I could use a little space – they can play with one of these activities nearby. (Most of the time at the kitchen stools while I work on dinner).
You may have a set time of day when you pull an activity out, too! That would work great!
Should I pick the activity or let the kids pick?
That’s up to you!
I personally pick the activity myself, because my kids would choose everything all at once.
How do I get this set up?
You may already have some activities you can put away, or gather some up slowly, or ask for these ideas for gifts.
Find a hidden (from your kids) storage area, and place the activities in clear storage bins with snapping lids or clear zip up bags, so the kids can easily open them and put them back.
When you need a refresh or a change in the mood, have everyone come to the table to do a fun activity together (or separate if needed).
I hope this helps bring more joy and calm into your home, especially in those difficult hours of the day! You’re doing a great job, mama!
