School holidays are meant to be a time of joy — lazy mornings, family bonding, and adventure. But let’s be honest: in today’s world, holidays often mean kids sinking deeper into TV, TikTok, and video games.
I’ve seen it firsthand with my own children. What starts as “just one episode” or “a quick game” can easily turn into hours of staring at screens. As parents, we know too much screen time isn’t healthy. It can affect sleep, cause restlessness, and rob kids of opportunities to explore, imagine, connect and talk with other kids.
That’s why we need to be intentional about creating screen-free holiday routines that keep them busy, happy, and connected — both to family and the world around them.
Here are lots of screen-free holiday activities you can try out at home, outdoors, or in your community. Most of them cost little (or nothing) but give back so much more
1. Outdoor Adventures (Burn Energy, Build Memories)
- Go for nature walks or mini-hikes — bring a basket and let kids collect leaves, stones, or flowers.
- Organize a scavenger hunt around your compound, park, or neighborhood.Try backyard camping — set up a tent, tell stories, and watch the stars.
- Dust off the bikes or skates and have a family cycling day.Start a small garden project — plant tomatoes, herbs, or flowers and let kids take care of them.
- Organize water balloon fights or sprinkler fun on hot days.
- Go for picnics in the park with homemade snacks.
2. Creative Indoor Fun (Imagination Over Screens)
- Set up an arts & crafts station with paper, glue, scissors, and recycled materials.
- Bake or cook together — kids love measuring ingredients, stirring, and of course tasting.
- Play board games, puzzles, or card games as a family.Build a fort with blankets and chairs — let kids turn it into their secret hideout.
- Have a music jam session using toy instruments, pots, or even clapping games.
- Organize a family drama or puppet show — kids write the story, act it out, and invite the family as audience.
- Try DIY science experiments — volcanoes, homemade slime, or balloon rockets.
3. Social Connection Activities (Stronger Together)
- Plan playdates with purpose — cooking, painting, or outdoor games instead of just sitting around.
- Hold a storytelling evening where everyone shares a funny or scary childhood memory.
- Visit relatives, grandparents, or neighbors for intergenerational bonding.
- Do volunteering as a family — cleaning a park, donating toys, or visiting an elderly home.
- Host a family game tournament — charades, Uno, Scrabble, or even a spelling bee.
- Organize a kids’ talent show — singing, dancing, jokes, or magic tricks.
4. Learning Through Play (Holidays That Teach)
- Make regular library trips and let kids pick their own books.
- Create a holiday journal — children write or draw something new each day.
- Organize a treasure hunt with clues that involve riddles or math problems.
- Build things — LEGO towers, wooden blocks, or cardboard castles.
- Teach kids simple life skills like sewing a button, washing dishes, or folding laundry.
- Do cultural exchange days — cook food from a different country, listen to its music, and learn a fun fact.
- Try DIY coding without screens — printable coding games and logic puzzles are available online.
5. Physical & Mindful Activities (Body and Mind in Balance)
- Create a home obstacle course with ropes, chairs, and pillows.
- Do simple family workouts — push-ups, star jumps, squats (kids love copying parents).
- Try yoga for kids or guided stretching before bed.
- Play dance freeze — play music, then pause it and let kids freeze in funny poses.
- Have quiet time with meditation stories or gentle breathing exercises.
- Go for morning or evening walks together instead of scrolling on phones.
6. Family Bonding Projects (Build Something Together)
- Start a photo album or scrapbook — let kids decorate and caption the pictures.
- Collect recipes from grandparents and make a family recipe book.
- Decorate the house with DIY crafts — paper garlands, painted jars, or flowerpots.
- Work on a puzzle project that takes days to finish.
- Create a gratitude jar — each day, write something you’re thankful for as a family.
- Build a bird feeder or small DIY furniture project together.
- Invent holiday traditions — maybe Sunday is “pancake morning” or Friday is “story night.”
7. Adventure Without Leaving Home (Holiday Magic Indoors)
- Have a theme day — pirate day, superhero day, or pajama day.
- Do a cooking challenge — kids vs parents, best sandwich wins!
- Create a holiday time capsule — include drawings, notes, or small toys, and open it next year.
- Try shadow puppets on the wall at night.
- Do a “restaurant at home” night — kids design menus, serve food, and parents are the guests.
- Have indoor treasure hunts where kids follow clues to find hidden treats.
Why It Matters
Holidays shouldn’t just be long stretches of screen time. They’re a chance to:
Strengthen family connections
Encourage creativity and problem-solving
Protect kids’ mental and physical health
Build lasting memories beyond TikTok and video games
As a parent, I’ve learned that kids don’t always need expensive toys or trips. What they really crave is our time, attention, and the chance to explore. A blanket fort, a cooking session, or a scavenger hunt can be the highlight of their holiday — and yours too.—
✅ Takeaway for Parents:
Instead of fighting screen time with endless “no’s,” fill the holidays with “yes” moments — yes to adventures, yes to creativity, and yes to connection. Screens will always be there, but childhood is fleeting.
