You’ve probably said it (or maybe even yelled it):
“Get off your phone!”
“No more screens!”
“Put that tablet away!”
And yet, somehow, screens still seem to creep back in. The truth is, while setting limits on screen time is important, it’s much more effective to replace screen time with engaging, real-life alternatives. Kids—and adults—are drawn to screens because they’re fun, stimulating, and easy. But here’s the secret: real life will always win out. The problem? It just takes a little more effort to get there.
The good news? That effort is worth it. Because when you swap scrolling for playing, watching for doing, and consuming for creating, you give your family something priceless: connection, joy, and memories that last.
So, instead of just saying “Get off your phone!”, try offering a fun alternative instead. Here are 10 screen-free activities to bring laughter, adventure, and togetherness back into your family’s daily life.
1. Family Challenge Night
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Host a weekly or monthly Family Challenge Night, where each member gets to pick an activity—think obstacle courses, talent shows, LEGO-building contests, or even a bake-off. Keep track of wins on a scoreboard and let the reigning champion pick the next challenge!
2. The “Yes Day” Adventure
Take a break from the usual routine and let your kids plan a day (within reason!) where you say YES to their ideas. Whether it’s making pancakes for dinner, having a backyard campout, or creating a giant pillow fort, giving kids the power to shape the day makes real life feel even more exciting than screens.
3. The Great Family Story Swap
Encourage creativity by making up stories together. Try a round-robin format where each person adds one sentence to the story, or go all out and turn it into a play with costumes and props. Kids love to see their wild ideas come to life, and you might just discover the next great storyteller in the family.
4. Screen-Free Mystery Night
Create an escape-room-style adventure in your own home. Hide clues, set up puzzles, and give your family a mystery to solve together. This can be as simple as a treasure hunt or as elaborate as a detective case where they have to figure out who stole the cookies from the cookie jar.
5. Get Outside & Get Moving
Nature is the ultimate antidote to screen time. Go for a nighttime flashlight walk, create a backyard obstacle course, or plan a family scavenger hunt in your neighborhood. Even a simple game of hide-and-seek or tag can turn a regular evening into a memory-making adventure.
6. DIY “Chopped” Cooking Challenge
Turn dinner into an interactive, screen-free experience by having a family cook-off. Give each team a few mystery ingredients and a time limit to create a dish. No matter what ends up on the plate, laughter (and possibly a mess) is guaranteed!
7. Reverse Movie Night
Instead of watching a movie, act it out! Pick a favorite family film and put your own spin on it. Make silly costumes, create DIY props, and perform a scene—or even the whole movie. For extra fun, record it and have a “premiere” night later.
8. Create a “Bucket List” Jar
Sit down as a family and brainstorm a list of fun, screen-free activities you want to do together—things like visiting a new park, learning a dance routine, or having a picnic under the stars. Write them on slips of paper and put them in a jar. Each week, pick one at random and do it!
9. Build Something Together
Kids love to create with their hands, so try a family build project like making a birdhouse, a cardboard castle, or even a mini garden. The process of working together, solving problems, and seeing a finished product is deeply satisfying for kids—and a great alternative to passive screen time.
10. Music & Dance Party
Nothing gets the energy up and screens down like music. Take turns DJing, have a lip-sync battle, or just crank up the tunes and have a full-on dance party in the living room. It’s impossible to take yourself too seriously when you’re rocking out to your favorite songs!
The Bottom Line: Real Life Wins
Screens aren’t going anywhere, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to eliminate them completely but to make real-life experiences so compelling that screens become just one of many fun options—not the only option.
Next time you catch yourself saying, “Get off your phone!”, try replacing it with:
“Let’s build something together.”
“Let’s go outside for an adventure.”
“Let’s create a story, play a game, or cook something fun.”
