Let me be honest. My son, who is currently 8 years, still slurs in speech. But that is not the story.
The real story is how he was completely nonverbal for the first 4 years of his life.
It was crazy. We were anxious—running helter-skelter from one assessment to the other, reading every study we could find on speech delay, binge-watching one developmental YouTube video after another, hoping for a breakthrough.
Then we found out the culprit: too much screen time. Yes, Cocomelon was guilty.
Once we cut out the screens and made sure he spent more time playing with other kids, he improved. And in that moment, we swore: never again.
That’s why with our younger child, who is now 1 year old, we’ve made a firm decision. No TikTok. No Cocomelon. No addictive shows. His screen time is limited because we know better now.
Instead, we are investing in screen-free activities for toddlers. Things that build connection, imagination, and real-world learning. And here’s a list of what we are doing—and what you can try too if you’re looking for alternatives to screen time for toddlers.
29 Screen-Free Activities for 1-Year-Old Toddlers
- Outdoor Playtime – Running, jumping, climbing, and chasing a ball. Outdoor play boosts motor skills and helps toddlers burn off energy in healthy ways.
- Exploring Nature – Collecting stones, watching ants, touching tree bark, or noticing birds. These nature walks are free, calming, and educational.
- Reading Aloud – Picture books for the little one, simple stories for older siblings. Reading is one of the best speech-friendly activities for toddlers.
- Storytelling – Making up stories from scratch—about a rabbit, a superhero, or even an old shoe. Storytelling sparks imagination and builds language.
- Singing Together – Nursery rhymes, church songs, or silly family tunes. Singing is an excellent way to build vocabulary and memory.
- Dancing – Turning on music (without screens) and moving together. Dancing builds coordination and self-expression.
- Making Music – Drumming on a bucket, shaking a bottle with beans, or clapping. These DIY instruments make fun sensory play for toddlers.
- Drawing – Scribbles and doodles open doors to creativity. Each drawing sparks conversations that fuel language development.
- Coloring – Coloring books or blank pages help toddlers practice focus and creativity without relying on screens.
- Painting – Finger paints, brushes, or even water and chalk outside. Painting is messy but magical for expression.
- Pretend Play – Turning a spoon into a microphone or a box into a car. Pretend play supports problem-solving and communication.
- Playing Shop – Using toys or bottle caps as “money.” Role-play like this is one of the best screen-free games for toddlers.
- Helping With Chores – Simple tasks like wiping tables or carrying clothes to the basket. Toddlers love to imitate and feel useful.
- Gardening – Planting beans in a cup or watering flowers. Gardening teaches patience and responsibility.
- Cooking Together – Letting toddlers stir or sprinkle ingredients. Cooking is hands-on learning that engages all senses.
- Puzzle Time – Shape sorters and simple jigsaws sharpen problem-solving skills.
- Board Games – Age-appropriate options like memory games or Snakes and Ladders. These games teach turn-taking and patience.
- Card Games – Matching pairs or “Go Fish” for older toddlers. Great for memory and focus.
- Sensory Play With Rice – A tub of rice with hidden spoons or toys. This Montessori-inspired toddler activity encourages exploration.
- Sensory Play With Water – Splashing, pouring, and filling cups. A calming alternative to overstimulation from screens.
- Playdough and Clay – Squishing and rolling helps strengthen fine motor skills.
- Crafts With Recyclables – Turning cartons into houses or tissue rolls into rockets. Teaches creativity and resourcefulness.
- Playdates – Social play with peers encourages sharing, turn-taking, and empathy.
- Family Traditions – Evening walks, bedtime prayers, or storytime. Simple routines give toddlers a sense of security.
- Talking About Photos – Looking at baby pictures and telling stories behind them. This builds memory, language, and family connection.
- Play With Pets – Feeding or petting animals teaches empathy and responsibility.
- Talking and Narrating – Explaining daily tasks: “We peel the banana. It’s yellow.” Narration boosts vocabulary naturally.
- Cloud Watching – Lying on the grass, spotting shapes in clouds. Imagination takes flight here.
- Quiet Cuddles – Sometimes the best screen-free activity for toddlers is simply cuddling and connecting.
Final Thoughts
We learned the hard way with our first child: too much screen time delays speech, stifles imagination, and isolates children. But when we replaced screens with real play, human interaction, and creativity, he began to thrive.
With our second child, we’re doing things differently—limiting screens and investing in speech-friendly, screen-free toddler activities that build the mind, body, and soul.
If you’re a parent of a toddler, I hope this list inspires you to swap screens for something real. Your child doesn’t need endless flashing cartoons. What they need most is you, play, and a world to discover
