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Activities for Kids at Home (Easy + Screen-Free Ideas)
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items As a busy mom, I'm always searching for ways to keep my kids entertained without relying on screens. These are our favorite activities, toys, and creative ideas that encourage independent play, outdoor fun, and hours of happy learning at home.
Sections
5
Boredom Busters Kids Love
Screen-Free Creative Activities
Outdoor Fun
Quiet Time Activities (While You Work)
Backyard Activities + Summer STEM
Boredom Busters Kids Love
These fun toys and activities keep kids busy for hours and are perfect for beating summer boredom.
NeeDoh sensory toys are trending right now and kids love them. They’re great for fidgeting, sensory play, and keeping hands busy.
Schylling NeeDoh Nice Ice Baby Squeeze Toy
A fun sensory toy that kids love squeezing and squishing. It’s perfect for keeping hands busy and helping beat summer boredom at home.
NeeDoh Nice Cream Cone (Colors May Vary)
This is one of the things I pull out when my kids need something to do. They’ll sit and build for a long time, and it’s one of the easiest ways I keep them busy at home.
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box , Toy Set with Train, Car, Tiger, Birthday Gift for Kids 4+, 10696
This is one of my go-to screen-free activities for kids. The sticker stamper keeps them engaged, and it’s perfect for quiet time or easy summer activities at home.
Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! 24-Page Activity Pad and Sticker Stamper with 300 Stickers - Disney Mickey Mouse
This is an easy activity I pull out when I want something simple. Kids can draw, erase, and keep playing without making a mess.
MOVSSOU 2 Pack LCD Writing Tablet 12in Colorful Toddler Drawing Pad Doodle Board Erasable Electronic Drawing Pad
This is such a fun screen-free activity for kids who love LEGO but need a little inspiration for what to build next. The animal-themed cards give them creative prompts they can do solo, with siblings, or with you. Perfect for quiet summer afternoons,...
LEGO ReCreate Activity Cards - Animals
Screen-Free Creative Activities
These screen-free summer activities help keep kids creative and entertained without needing devices.
This is one of our go-to creative activities. It has everything in one place, which makes it really easy to use at home.
Crayola 115pc Imagination Art Set with Case: Drawing & Coloring Kit for Creative Thinking, Includes Crayons & More
I use these when I don’t want to plan anything. They’re great for creative play and keep kids busy without screens.
273pc Jungle Bucket of Crafts - Mondo Llama™: DIY Art Kit, Includes Pom Poms, Acrylic Material, Ages 6+
This is a fun screen-free craft activity for kids that’s easy to set up. It’s great for keeping kids busy during summer and gives them something creative to work on.
Pour Palz 9” Bear, Mango Sunset, DIY Paint & Pour Craft Kit for Kids Ages 5+
These are one of those small things my kids end up playing with way more than I expect. They’re great for keeping hands busy and work really well as a quick boredom buster or quiet time activity at home.
My Look Mini-Mazing Squeezie Cuties
This is a fun screen-free craft for kids that’s perfect for summer activities at home. It keeps kids busy while letting them create something they can actually display.
Made By Me Create Your Own Multicolor Window Art, Art & Craft Kits, Child, Ages 6+
Outdoor Fun
These are simple outdoor summer activities for kids that help burn energy and keep them active.
These are great for hot days and an easy way to get kids outside playing without much setup.
Bunch O Balloons Tropical Party 265+ Rapid-Filling Self-Sealing Water Balloons (8 Pack)
We use chalk all the time for outdoor play. It’s a simple activity that keeps kids entertained longer than you’d expect.
Play Day 48 Count Multicolor Sidewalk Chalk Set
This is one of the easiest outdoor activities I use when my kids need to burn energy. It gets them outside playing right away and works really well as a simple summer activity for kids at home.
Franklin Sports Nerf Ball Set - 3pc: Outdoor & Toy Sports Set for Kids
I like using this when I want something easy. It creates instant fun and keeps kids entertained outside.
Gazillion Bubbles Tornado
Quiet Time Activities (While You Work)
These quiet activities for kids are perfect when I need them to stay busy while I work from home.
Puzzles are one of my go-to quiet time activities. They help kids focus and stay busy independently.
MasterPieces Glow in the Dark 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Set - Blue 4-Pack for Kids
Puzzles are great for keeping kids busy at home and work really well as an easy, screen-free summer activity.
MasterPieces Glow in the Dark 100 Piece Puzzle Set - Kids Educational Fun 4-Pack
These are great for calm, focused play. My kids stay engaged with them for a while, especially during quiet time.
Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ice Cream Shop Playset - Toddler Learning Toys for Kids Ages 3-4+, Kids Pretend Play Ice Cream Set, Kids Gifts for Girls and Boys
This is one of those activities kids can come back to over and over. It’s perfect for indoor summer play, rainy days, and screen-free building when everyone needs something different to do.
Everest Toys: Crazy Forts! Multi Color - 69pc Rod & Ball Fort Building Playset, STEM Toy, Indoor & Outdoor, Create Your Own Structures, Kids Ages 5+
Backyard Activities + Summer STEM
These screen-free backyard activities are perfect for curious kids who love to explore, build, create, and experiment. From simple science projects to nature-inspired crafts, these ideas make it easy to keep kids busy outside while turning summer day...
Turn the backyard into a mini science lab with this hands-on summer activity kit. It’s perfect for curious kids who love exploring, experimenting, and learning through play without needing screens or a complicated setup.
Big Bag of Backyard Science
A sweet screen-free summer activity for kids who love creating, decorating, and watching something grow. This makes a calm afternoon project and gives them a little garden they can keep checking on all summer long.
Creativity for Kids Fairy Forest Garden- Spring Crafts | Beginner Craft Kit and STEAM Toys ( Ages 6+)
A classic summer craft that kids can actually use outside when they’re done. They can paint colorful rocks, hide them around the yard, decorate the garden, or leave them as cheerful little surprises.
Made by Me Create Your Own Multicolor Rock Art, Boys and Girls, Child, Ages 6+
This is such a fun mix of craft time and outdoor decorating. Kids can paint their own stepping stone, then add it to the garden, walkway, or backyard for a sweet keepsake they’ll be proud to show off.
Made By Me Mix & Mold Stepping Stones
An easy, active outdoor toy that keeps kids moving without needing a big setup. It’s great for backyard play, sibling games, park days, or simple summer fun when everyone needs to burn off a little energy.
Lucky Doug Toss and Catch Ball Toys, Sticky Velcro Ball Toys - Outdoor Play Games, Beach Toys, Camping Games, Beach Game Set Sports Game Set for Ages 3+ - Walmart.com
Such a fun backyard game for summer especially for summer nights. The LED lights make classic cornhole feel extra special, and it’s perfect for family game nights, evening BBQs, camping trips, or keeping kids entertained outside after dinner.
LED Cornhole Board Set - Light Up Bean Bag Toss with 6 Bags, by MinnARK