Summer’s here, and so is that all-too-familiar chorus: “I’m bored!” But before you reach for the tablet or tv remote, consider this — what if you could keep your kids entertained with screen-free games and activities that secretly boost their brainpower? Yup, they exist, and they’re easier (and more fun) than you think.
Why Screen-Free Activities Matter
In today’s world, where screens often dominate kids’ attention, unplugging with brain-boosting, screen-free activities is truly a gift. These games and challenges don’t just keep kids entertained—they actively help develop essential skills like focus, creativity, logical thinking, and problem-solving.
Of course there’s nothing wrong with the occasional movie night or even limited tablet time, but balancing that with screen-free activities gives kids a chance to engage their minds more deeply, explore creativity, and build confidence— all while having a blast away from digital distractions. It’s about creating a healthy mix that supports growth and fun throughout the summer, and beyond.
Cubby Tip: Keep a “Summer Brain Boost” Challenge Going
For even more fun, turn these type of activities into a summer-long challenge where kids collect stamps, stickers, or checkmarks for each game they complete. It keeps motivation high and makes screen-free fun feel like a big adventure. You can even choose to give them a reward for completing all of them - think a special outing like a trip to their favorite park, a small toy or book they’ve been eyeing, or even a special ice cream treat. Whatever feels like a meaningful celebration of their hard work and creativity!
Download our free ”Summer Fun Challenge” if you want a done-for-you printable tracker!
Ready, Set, Play!
Here are 14 simple, screen-free games and activities that need little to no prep but will keep your kids engaged and thinking — all while sneaking in brain-boosting skills like creativity, logic, and focus. No devices required.
1. Invent Your Own Animal
Encourage your child to combine two animals into a brand-new creature—think a “tiger-swan” or a “giraffe-frog.” They can draw their invention, give it a name, and create a fun story or habitat for it. This imaginative activity boosts creativity, storytelling skills, and vocabulary—all without needing any materials beyond paper and pencil. Perfect for sparking some screen-free fun!
2. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple list of common natural items—like a smooth rock, a feather, or a yellow leaf—and send kids outside to find them. This low-prep outdoor activity promotes observation skills, categorization, and physical movement. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get kids exploring their environment while enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
3. Invent a Secret Code
Help kids design their own secret alphabet or symbol system. Once they’ve created the code, encourage them to write secret messages to each other. This fun, screen-free game develops logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving abilities, and also adds an exciting element of mystery and creativity to summer playtime.
4. Shadow Drawing
On a bright, sunny day, place toys or household objects outside and have your child trace their shadows on paper. This simple yet engaging activity introduces kids to basic concepts of light and perspective while encouraging fine motor skills and artistic expression. It’s an easy setup that can keep kids focused for quite a while!
5. Cloud Shape Spotting
Lie back on the grass and watch the clouds drift by. Invite kids to spot shapes, animals, or even stories in the clouds above. This relaxing, screen-free activity promotes mindfulness, imaginative thinking, and creativity. It’s perfect for calming down after an active morning or simply enjoying some quiet time outside.
6. Printable Escape Room Games
Download and print escape room games designed for kids. These printable puzzles challenge children’s logic, critical thinking, and teamwork skills, all while keeping them thoroughly entertained and screen-free. Perfect for rainy days or when you need a longer, engaging activity that stretches their problem-solving muscles.
Check out our Wild West escape room, our Race Car escape room, or some of our other themes!
7. Build a Mini Obstacle Course
Use pillows, chairs, and toys to create a simple indoor obstacle course. Kids can plan their route, time themselves, and figure out the best way to navigate it. This active game combines gross motor skills with planning and problem-solving—plus, it’s an excellent way to burn off energy on a summer afternoon.
You can even take this game outside by using lawn furniture, yard toys, maybe even sticks! Let them use their imagination!
8. Snack Planner
Give your child a list of basic snack ingredients and challenge them to plan and create their own snack combos or simple recipes. This tasty activity teaches basic decision making, encourages healthy eating habits, and lets kids exercise their creativity in the kitchen—all with minimal adult prep.
If you want to take it up a notch, have them help plan a meal or two!
9. Animal Walks
Challenge kids to move like different animals—whether hopping like a frog, stomping like an elephant, or slithering like a snake. This silly, physical game boosts coordination, body awareness, and imagination, while providing a fun screen-free way to stay active indoors or outdoors.
If you’re doing this inside, have them go down the hallway and back. Outside, see if they can make it around the whole house!
10. Map Drawing
Encourage kids to draw maps of their neighborhood, favorite places, or even imaginary lands. This creative activity builds spatial awareness, geography skills, and storytelling abilities. All it takes is some paper and pencils (or crayons!) and kids can spend a great chunk of time crafting detailed worlds of their own.
11. DIY Puzzle
Have kids draw a picture on paper and then cut it into large pieces to create their own puzzles. They can solve their own creations or swap puzzles with siblings and friends. This hands-on activity promotes fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and patience—all while delivering screen-free, independent play.
12. Rock Painting
Using smooth rocks and washable paint (or paint markers), kids can create colorful designs or inspiring messages. They can then hide their masterpieces around the neighborhood or garden to brighten someone’s day. Rock painting combines artistic expression with fine motor development and adds a community connection element.
13. Paper Airplane Challenge
Teach kids how to fold different paper airplane designs and test which ones fly the farthest or perform tricks. This easy STEM activity promotes engineering thinking, experimentation, and patience—all with just paper and a little outdoor space to fly their creations.
14. Word Hunt
Write simple words on sticky notes and hide them around the house or yard. Kids can find the words and use them to create sentences or stories. This activity improves reading, vocabulary, and creative writing skills, plus it turns language learning into an exciting, active game.
There you have it!
14 simple, screen-free games and activities that are perfect for keeping kids entertained, curious, and thinking this summer. These ideas require little to no prep but deliver big on fun and brain-boosting benefits, making summer days both playful and purposeful. Whether it’s inventing animals, building obstacle courses, or spotting shapes in the clouds, these activities offer plenty of ways to spark imagination and keep boredom at bay—all while unplugged and engaged.
Here’s to a summer full of curiosity, creativity, plenty of screen-free smiles, and fewer “I’m bored” moments! :
Keep the Screen-Free Fun Going!
If you want even more easy, no-tech ideas to crush summer boredom, check out our DIY Screen-Free Boredom Buster Box for Summer Survival blog post. It’s packed with simple ideas and clever tips to keep the whole family happily unplugged.
