Hey guys, Gracie here, and I’ve got to be honest – I love screens!
I love to watch all my favorite superhero shows on TV, and I love YouTube. Playing games on my phone is super fun, and I also enjoy creating and writing on my computer.
BUT there are also so many fun things that you can do when you need a break from your screens (or when your parents say no more).
So today I thought it would be fun to share 15 ideas for screen-free fun that don’t involve technology. Have any other ideas that I didn’t share here? You can reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram. I’d love to hear your ideas!
15 Ideas For Screen-Free Fun
1. Play with animals.
This always makes me so happy. Don’t have a pet? Maybe you have a neighbor who would love for you to walk their dog. Sometimes I like to visit a neighborhood place that has dogs for adoption that you can pet and play with. It’s so hard to leave but really fun to play with those doggies who are always so happy to see me!
2. Visit your local library or bookstore.
I love to read and love finding new books and book series. Sometimes re-reading old favorites can be fun too! I’m excited to share more of my favorite books with you guys on this blog, and you just might be able to find some of them at your local library.
3. Find activities in your community.
Find out about fun activities in your community. There are always all kinds of free and low-cost things happening around town. And who knows – you might even try goat yoga. Or visit a museum. Or see a play. Or lots more.
4. Go play in the park.
Get outside and get some exercise, because it’s fun and it’s good for you. Try out some of the different parks in your area and you just might find a new favorite you’ve never been to before!
5. Write!
Write anything – a poem, a short story, make lists, write in a journal. And don’t worry about your spelling, or if it’s ‘good’. Sometimes it’s great to just write for the fun of it. That’s how I got started!
6. Play a game.
My family loves to play Uno around the dinner table. My dad is super obnoxious when he wins, which he thinks is all the time, but it definitely isn’t.
7. Volunteer.
I love helping others. It feels good to do something nice for someone else. When I spend time making other people happy, it ends up making me happy too. Here I am with my friend CiCi. She’s homeless but she is heroic. She’s also an amazing poet and has a beautiful singing voice. She even writes some of her own songs! She is always ready and willing to share her gifts to lift others up.
8. Spend some time in the kitchen.
It’s fun (and delicious) to make a batch of cookies, scramble some eggs, or make cheese dip with a friend (who then eats almost all of it – you know who you are). There are lots of kid-friendly recipes online! And you’re practicing following directions, so your parents should love it!
9. Play a sport.
If you like to move and be active, playing a sport might be a great fit for you! Join a team at your school or even a local community center. This is also a great way to make new friends.
10. Create.
Slime, art, legos, science experiments, sculpture, the sky is the limit. Use your creativity and imagination! I personally love to paint and doodle, so when it’s freeform art, it’s fun and relaxing for me. Creating something new is a great way to enjoy some screen-free fun.
11. Plant a garden.
You don’t have to have a big yard to plant something delicious. My grandfather and I have a lot of fun picking tomatoes, which you can grow in a planter, and they taste delicious as a snack fresh from the garden. Also, you can grow fresh herbs in a small container on your windowsill.
12. Sing.
Did you know when you sing it releases endorphins? Those are your brain’s ‘feel-good’ hormones. So when you sing, it actually makes you less stressed and happier. I love singing and learning a new song. This is a really fun activity to do with your friends, but you can always sing by yourself too. It took me a long time before I was ready to sing in front of others, but now I am in my school choir and even sing solos.
13. Learn something new.
This summer I decided I wanted to learn more about music, so I decided to start learning how to play the piano. I’m not good yet. I mean, I can’t even play a song. But I’ve learned a lot more about reading music and I’ve had a lot of fun learning something new.
14. Take a class.
I love to draw, so it’s always fun for me to take an art class. And there are lots of other great classes out there too. You can take a class on writing or even learning a new language. So the sky really is the limit here.
15. Hang out with friends.
My friends make me so happy! And I really hope that you have someone in your life that supports and encourages you and that you love being around! When you find those friends, hold on to them tight, and do lots of fun things together.
—
That’s all for now! I hope you found this list of screen-free fun activities helpful.
Which ideas were your favorites? And what ideas would you add to the list? Send me a message here and let me know!
Until the next time,
Gracie