Swap, don't just ban. Turning a screen off goes better when the next thing is already picked. Print a few and keep them handy.
Do the first one with them. Most kids drift back to a screen when they're left to start alone.
15 minutes or less 3
16 to 30 minutes 25
- Toddler pouring station with cups and funnels30 min · $0 · Ages 1–3
- Toddler snack helper: wash, tear, stir, pour20 min · About $5 · Ages 2–4
- Rainy-day hallway obstacle course30 min · $0 · Ages 2–6
- Set up a calm-down corner30 min · $0 · Ages 2–7
- Freeze dance with Dad's playlist20 min · $0 · Ages 2–8
- Pretend shop and a wait jar (ages 3 to 5)20 min · $0 · Ages 3–5
- Throw and catch: a hundred quick reps with Dad20 min · $0 · Ages 3–10
- Build a snack board for the family30 min · About $10 · Ages 3–10
- Sticker storybook: they stick, you write30 min · About $5 · Ages 3–7
- Trash-can basketball league30 min · $0 · Ages 3–10
- Spend, save, give: three jars30 min · $0 · Ages 4–9
- Sort, fold, put away: the laundry crew30 min · $0 · Ages 4–10
- A 20-minute family workout in the living room20 min · $0 · Ages 4–14
- Balloon volleyball in the living room30 min · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Storm watch: count the thunder, then talk about fear30 min · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Tie a square knot and a bowline30 min · $0 · Ages 5+
- Make a family whistle and hand-signal code25 min · $0 to $5 · Ages 5+
- Play Kim's game: remember the tray20 min · $0 · Ages 5+
- Find the North Star with the Big Dipper30 min · $0 · Ages 5+
- Play Quicksight and Farsight: two eye games30 min · $0 · Ages 5–12
- Tie a clove hitch and two half hitches30 min · $0 · Ages 6+
- First aid: press, cover, call30 min · About $10 · Ages 6+
- Join two ropes with a sheet bend30 min · $0 · Ages 7+
- Send secret words with the wig-wag code30 min · $0 · Ages 7+
- Whip a rope end and tie a timber hitch30 min · $0 · Ages 7+
Up to two hours 30
- Blanket-fort reading den45 min · $0 · Ages 2–8
- Kitchen band: pot drums, shakers and a song45 min · $0 · Ages 2–8
- Make-your-own pizza night60 min · About $15 · Ages 3–12
- Library card day: their own card, their own books90 min · $0 · Ages 3–12
- The dice-roll rainy day1 hour · $0 · Ages 3–10
- Cookie decorating night90 min · About $15 · Ages 3–12
- Breakfast date: just you and one kid1 hour · About $15 out, $3 at home · Ages 3–8
- Tiny adventure ride: bus, train or walk to somewhere new2 hours · About $5 · Ages 3–6
- The lost sheep hunt, and what to do if you get lost40 min · $0 · Ages 3–7
- Pancake Saturday45 min · About $5 · Ages 4–10
- Audiobook and coloring hour: a calm reset1 hour · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Dad builds, kid launches: straw rockets45 min · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Library and cocoa date: they pick books for you both90 min · About $5 · Ages 4–9
- The cardboard giant target throw45 min · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Rain gauge and animal pairs, a rainy-day double1 hr · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Build a wall together before the timer rings45 min · $0 · Ages 4–10
- Cardboard marble run on the wall or a box90 min · About $10 · Ages 5–12
- Build a real-food dinner together60 min · About $15 · Ages 5–12
- The neighbor kindness errand1 hr · $0–$10 · Ages 5–12
- Tie-dye day: a shirt of many colors1 hr, plus the kit's wait · About $15 · Ages 5–12
- Set a holiday gift budget with your kids45 min · $0 to plan · Ages 6–14
- Build a family emergency kit together60 min · $20–$40 · Ages 6–14
- Open a family store run on points (ages 6 to 9)40 min · About $10 · Ages 6–9
- Grocery price detective60 min · $0 · Ages 7–12
- Spell your name in semaphore flags40 min · $0 · Ages 7+
- Light a bulb: a kitchen-table battery circuit45 min · About $15 · Ages 7–12
- Your kid plans a $20 family outing60 min to plan · $20 · Ages 10–14
- Extra jobs, a 24-hour wait and a dad bank45 min · $0 · Ages 10–13
- Cook-off date: your kid is head chefAbout 2 hours · About $15 · Ages 10–14
- Your teen cooks dinner: one-pan chicken90 min · About $20 · Ages 13+
By age instead: Under 1 · 1–2 · 3–5 · 6–9 · 10–12 · 13+. More lists: Free things to do with kids · 15-minute activities for kids · Father-daughter and father-son date ideas · Rainy day activities for kids · Things to do with a toddler at home · Bonding activities for dads and teens · Indoor activities for kids under 30 minutes · Outdoor activities for kids · Things to do at Dad's house · Screen-free activities for kids · Chores for kids by age.