Plan a Screen-Free Weekend Kids Will Actually Enjoy

Screens are part of modern life, but a weekend without them can feel like a reset for the whole family. Children often rediscover old toys, invent games and spend more time together. This plan gives you a full screen-free weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday night, with tips for making it fun rather than a battle.

Before you start

• Talk about it ahead of time. Explain why: "We're going to try a weekend of games and adventures together."
• Get children involved. Let them choose a few activities for the plan.
• Prepare. Print some activities, gather craft supplies and pick up library books.
• Grown-ups too. Children notice when adults are on their phones. Put yours away as much as you can.
• Decide on exceptions. A family movie on Saturday night? A video call with grandparents? Agree beforehand.

Friday evening: kick off

• Board game night. Pull out the games you haven't played in a while.
• Build a fort. Blankets, chairs and cushions make an instant den.
• Make a plan. Write or draw the weekend plan on a big sheet and stick it on the fridge.
• Read by torchlight before bed.

Saturday morning: get moving

• Pancake breakfast. Let children measure, mix and flip (with help).
• Outdoor adventure. A park, a woodland walk or a bike ride. See outdoor activities for kids.
• Scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to find on your walk.
• Picnic lunch. Even in the garden.

Saturday afternoon: create

• Craft project. Try something bigger than usual: a cardboard castle, puppets, or a shoebox diorama.
• Coloring. Set up a coloring station with a mix of pages. Try a full coloring book for a longer project.
• Kitchen science. Make a baking-soda volcano or grow crystals. See kitchen science experiments.
• Baking. Bake something for Sunday or for a neighbour.

Saturday evening: together

• Family talent show. Songs, jokes, magic tricks and dances.
• Card games like snap, go fish or crazy eights.
• Story time with a special book or chapter.

Sunday morning: slow and calm

• Lazy breakfast in pyjamas.
• Puzzles. A jigsaw on the table that everyone adds to.
• Printables. Mazes, mystery pictures and I Spy pages.
• Music. Make instruments from pots and pans or play real ones.

Sunday afternoon: out and about

• Visit somewhere new: a museum, library, farm or a different park.
• Play a sport together: football, frisbee or rounders.
• Gardening. Plant seeds or tidy up the garden. See gardening activities.

Sunday evening: reflect

• Family dinner cooked together.
• Talk about the weekend. What was the best part? What should we do again?
• Make a "favorite moments" page. Each person draws their favorite part of the weekend.

Handling boredom

Children used to screens will probably say "I'm bored" at some point. That's okay. Boredom often comes just before creativity. Try:

• A boredom jar with activity ideas written on slips of paper.
• Offering open-ended materials: boxes, tape, paper, blocks.
• Giving it ten minutes. Most children find something to do.

Ideas by age

Toddlers and preschoolers: sensory play, dancing, simple crafts, puppets and lots of reading.

School age: forts, crafts, cooking, outdoor adventures and board games.

Tweens: let them plan part of the weekend, cook a meal, lead a game or start a longer project like a comic or a model.

Making it last

You don't need to be screen-free forever. But many families find that one screen-free weekend a month, or a screen-free afternoon each week, helps keep the balance. See screen time balance for practical rules that work.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Announcing it as a punishment. Frame it as an adventure.
• Not having a plan. Long empty hours lead to frustration.
• Grown-ups secretly scrolling. Model what you're asking for.

Frequently asked questions

What if my child refuses?

Start smaller with a screen-free afternoon. Give them choices and lots of fun alternatives.

Can we use screens for music or audiobooks?

Many families do. Audio without a screen keeps the spirit of the weekend.

Is it okay to have a family movie night?

Absolutely. Watching together is very different from everyone on separate devices.

Screen-free activity jar

Write these on slips of paper for when someone needs an idea:

• Build a fort and read inside
• Bake something
• Draw a comic strip
• Play a board game
• Go on a bike ride
• Do a jigsaw puzzle
• Have a dance party
• Make a puppet show
• Write a letter to a friend
• Play hide-and-seek
• Have a picnic
• Color a mandala
• Make a paper airplane contest
• Do a science experiment
• Go on a scavenger hunt

What about grown-ups who need their phones for work?

Set specific times to check messages, and keep phones out of sight during family activities.

How do I make the habit stick after the weekend?

Choose one screen-free time to keep every week, such as Sunday mornings or family dinners.

How do we start?

Plan ahead, involve children in choosing activities and keep it fun.