5 Ways to Encourage Screen-Free Play at Home

Looking for screen-free play ideas that actually work? With so much of childhood now happening in front of a screen, it can feel hard to know how to encourage creativity, calm, and connection at home. The truth is, children thrive with simple, open-ended play, and the right tools make it easy. Here are five simple ways to bring more imaginative activities into your daily routine.

1. Create a Play-Ready Space

Set up a corner with a rug, a basket of books, or a creative playkit. When toys and materials are within reach, kids naturally gravitate towards screen-free activities instead of asking for a device.

2. Set Up Gentle Invitations

Before your child wakes up, lay out a playkit activity, craft materials, or a puzzle. These simple prompts spark curiosity and can turn a quiet morning or after-school moment into inspired kids activities at home.

3. Follow Their Lead

Children love to bend the “rules” of play, and that’s a good thing! Whether they’re turning tea cups into drums or using yoga cards as a story game, imaginative play grows when kids feel free to explore.

4. Build Play Into Everyday Routines

Replace 15 minutes of screen time with a play break: after school, before dinner, or as part of the bedtime wind-down. A small daily swap helps make screen-free play a natural habit.

5. Make it Magical Together

Joining your child for just a few minutes of storytelling, yoga, or pretend play shows them that play matters. These shared moments strengthen connection and make screen-free time feel special.

With a little creativity (and the help of Tuckshop Playkits), screen-free play becomes simple, joyful, and part of everyday family life.