Screen-free activities at home: ideas for every age

A rainy Saturday, a school-holiday afternoon, a child wandering around the flat… and the tablet never far away. A few well-chosen games, a simple play corner and a little organisation are enough for a child to play happily without a screen, and without turning the living room into a classroom. Here are our ideas, by age.

Why limit screens for young children?

In the early years, children learn with their bodies and hands: they touch, stack, compare, copy and try again. A screen holds their attention, but it doesn't let them handle things or truly interact, and it cuts the time they spend moving.

The aim isn't to make parents feel guilty, but to offer something appealing enough that the screen is no longer the default.

Setting up a simple play corner

Inspired by the Montessori approach, a good play corner takes up very little space: a low shelf, a rug and a few activities, each in its own basket or tray. Children can see what's available, take it themselves and put it back.

• 6 to 8 activities on display are enough; keep the rest out of sight.
• One activity, one container: all the pieces in one place, for playing and for tidying up.

Yamna's tip

Early childhood and Montessori specialist

Rotate the toys every week or two: a game that's been put away for a while feels new again.

Which activities for which age?

18 months to 3 years: handle, stack, name

Children are discovering what their hands can do: fitting, stacking, knocking down and starting again. Activities are short and hands-on, and usually shared with an adult who puts words to what the child is doing.

3 to 5 years: copy, create, tell stories

Imagination takes off. Children act out what they see around them, make up stories and enjoy mastering more precise movements: it's the age of pretend play, creative activities and first games with rules.

5 to 7 years: build, think, play as a family

Children take on longer projects: a tower that has to stay up, a shape to copy, a game with rules. They play alone for longer and love challenging the grown-ups.

Moving indoors without knocking everything over

A child who doesn't let off steam soon gets restless, especially in a flat. Plan one or two moments to move every day, even in a small space.

Everyday activities

Washing vegetables, sorting lentils, helping to roll out bread dough, pouring water from a small jug, laying the table, folding napkins, watering the plants: do it together, at the child's height. These tasks build concentration and independence, and make children feel useful. Accept that it will be slower, and sometimes a bit wet.

"I'm bored!": what to do?

Boredom is uncomfortable but useful: it's often when children start inventing their own games. Remind them what's on their shelf, offer a basket of open-ended materials (boxes, fabric, clothes pegs, bottle tops) and give them a few minutes.

Boredom isn't a problem to fix at all costs: it's often where free play begins.

Fatima Ezzit

A screen-free day: an example

• Morning: breakfast made together, then free play in the play corner.
• Late morning: time to move, or a trip to the park.
• Early afternoon: nap or quiet time with books and puzzles.
• Afternoon: a creative activity, then pretend play.
• End of the day: a family game, bath time, a story.

Find out more: our selections for 12 to 24-month-olds, for 2 to 3-year-olds, for 3 to 6-year-olds and for 6 to 9-year-olds.

Source: World Health Organization, guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age, 2019.