50+ Frugal Screen-Free Activities for Kids

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Looking for fun, screen-free, and budget-friendly activities to keep your kids engaged and entertained? This list will give you ideas to spark your kids’ imagination, encourage movement, and promote meaningful family time!

It can feel like screens are everywhere, from tablets and phones to video games and TVs. While technology certainly has its place, it’s more important than ever to give kids time off screens to explore, create, and engage with the world around them.

Not only does screen-free time benefit their mental and physical health, but it also encourages imagination, builds social skills, and fosters real-world learning. That said, many parents face challenges like busy schedules, tight budgets, or kids who simply don’t want to put the device down.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to go screen-free all at once. Start small. Add in one extra hour of outdoor time a week, or swap one show for a hands-on activity. Over time, those small changes add up, and they make a big difference.

Kid’s Screen-Free Activities on a Budget

To help you get started, here are 50 frugal and screen-free activities for kids that are fun, easy, and perfect for all ages. And be sure to check out our FREE Summer Bucket List with even more ideas!

1. Teach them a skill (gardening, mowing, cooking, etc.)

Passing on a life skill builds confidence and gives kids a sense of responsibility… and you may even get help around the house!

2. Play board games or do a puzzle

Dust off those family classics or grab a puzzle from the thrift store. They’re especially great for rainy days! This post has some of our favorite board games under $30 and you can play them over and over again!

3. Take a walk or ride bikes

Movement + nature = a win-win. It’s also a great time to talk, observe wildlife, and explore new areas.

4. Workout together

Turn on a kid-friendly workout video, stretch, or do yoga. You’ll boost moods and get some energy out. If you don’t know where to start, Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube is lots of fun!

5. Go berry picking

Many local farms offer affordable pick-your-own options. It’s fun, educational, and delicious.

6. Attend a craft time at Hobby Lobby or Michaels

These stores often offer free or low-cost craft classes for kids. Just check the schedule online. (We also post all the latest free kids activities when they pop up!)

7. Eat one meal outside every day

Whether it’s breakfast on the porch or dinner at the park, eating outside makes mealtime more memorable and it’s easier to avoid the temptation of screens.

8. Try crochet or knitting kits

These beginner kits are usually affordable and a great way to keep little hands busy.

9. Make homemade play dough

You only need a few simple ingredients to make homemade play dough and doing it together is a fun activity in itself (plus, a low-stress way to teach your kids cooking skills!).

10. Volunteer at a local food bank or animal shelter

If your kids would like to get involved in the community, this can help teach empathy and teamwork while helping others. Call ahead to ask about age requirements.

11. Go thrift store shopping

Give your kids a small budget and see what treasures they can find—books, clothes, puzzles, and more. They’ll love getting to shop and will come home with a new activity!

12. Go geocaching as a family

Use a free app to hunt for hidden “treasures” nearby. It’s like a modern-day scavenger hunt!

13. Paint rocks and hide them around the neighborhood

Add a little cheer to your community with painted kindness rocks.

14. Go to local museums

Many museums have free days or discounted admission for kids, which makes for a perfect for a summer outing.

15. Scrapbook their summer

Collect photos, drawings, ticket stubs, and memories to make a scrapbook or journal.

16. Make friendship bracelets or slime

These timeless crafts are cheap and keep hands busy for hours. We love this beaded friendship bracelet kit and this slime recipe is one of our favorites!

17. Sidewalk chalk art

Turn your driveway into an art gallery, obstacle course, or hopscotch heaven.

18. Have a yard campout

Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows, tell stories, and stargaze right from your own backyard.

19. Go to the theater on discount day

Local cinemas often have $1–$2 movie days during summer breaks. Check listings for family-friendly films. Even though this activity does involve screens, it’s worth it to have a fun family experience and you can talk about the movie together afterwards!

20. Pick up litter at a local park

This is a simple way to give back and care for your environment.

21. Have a baking contest

Pick a theme, set a timer, and see what delicious creations the kids can whip up.

22. Make origami

All you need is paper and YouTube tutorials, so it’s great for building focus and patience.

23. Have a spa day

Use items you have at home whether it’s face masks, cucumber slices, or nail polish. This is perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening around the house.

24. Make a collage board using old magazines

Let kids cut and glue images that inspire them or represent their dreams.

25. Create an outdoor obstacle course

Use cones, chalk, hula hoops, or whatever’s in the garage to build a backyard challenge.

26. Give them a room to redecorate

Whether it’s their bedroom or a corner of the house, let them rearrange, clean, and decorate.

27. Visit all the local parks

Make it a goal to explore every park in your town. Each one has something unique to offer.

28. Make a time capsule

This can be super fun for kids! Fill a container with current favorites, letters, and drawings to open in a year (or five!).

29. Do a toy swap with friends

Kids love “new” toys. Organize a swap and refresh your toy box without spending a dime.

30. Play card games

Teach them Dutch Blitz or classics like Go Fish, War, or Crazy Eights, or let them make up their own rules.

31. Create a backyard scavenger hunt

Hide objects around the yard and make a checklist to find them all.

32. Write letters to family members

Bring back snail mail! Kids can draw pictures or write notes to grandparents and cousins.

33. Learn to juggle or hula hoop

It’s silly, active, and helps build coordination and perseverance.

34. Build a blanket fort

A classic rainy-day activity—perfect for reading, snacks, and make-believe adventures.

35. Do a science experiment

Make a volcano, grow crystals, or build a DIY lava lamp using supplies you already have.

36. Set up a lemonade stand or yard sale

Let kids practice math, creativity, and entrepreneurship with a homemade drink stand or yard sale.

37. Chore treasure hunt

Hide small prizes or coins around the house and have your kids complete a small task at each spot to move forward.

38. Go on a nature walk with a theme

Try “find something red,” “count the birds,” or “collect interesting rocks.”

39. Create your own board game

Use cardboard, markers, and dice to invent a new family game from scratch.

40. Collect leaves or flowers and press them

Make a nature journal or framed artwork with your pressed finds.

41. Watch the sunset together

This is a beautiful way to wind down the day and talk about what went well.

42. Play hide and seek

Indoors or out, this never gets old—especially with little ones.

43. Build paper airplanes and test them

See whose airplane flies the farthest or fastest. Bonus points for decorating!

44. Read a book

One of the best screen free activities for kids is, of course, reading! Start a family read-aloud, join a library reading challenge, use our printable reading challenge, or let kids choose their own adventure.

45. Do a “zero-dollar” fashion show

Let kids dress up in costumes or old clothes and strut their stuff on a DIY runway.

46. Make puppets and put on a show

Use socks, paper bags, or spoons. Then perform for the family.

47. Do a photo challenge

Give kids a phone or camera and a photo checklist: something blue, something shiny, something funny. Or, just take selfies together. You’ll treasure those photos forever!

48. Create a comic book

Let your kids illustrate and write their own superhero or silly story.

49. Learn to create art together

Learn it online and make it offline! Craftsy and Artist’s Academy are great for learning new art skills. (Bonus: Each site’s membership is under $2 right now!) Use these sites to gather inspiration and explore techniques. Then, put the device down and watch your kids spend hours off-screen creating with their new skills!

50. Play “restaurant” or “store”

Set up menus, money, and roles. Kids love pretending to take your order or ring up groceries.

51. Create a “yes” day

Within reason, say “yes” to all the kids’ frugal requests for a day. You’ll be surprised by their creativity.

Encouraging kids to explore other ways to spend their time than on screens opens the door to deeper creativity, stronger relationships, and valuable life skills. And remember: Start small. Pick one or two activities per day — or even per week. And most importantly, have fun making memories that matter.