How to Keep Your Kids Busy While Avoiding Screens
In today’s digital world, it can feel extremely challenging to find and set clear boundaries around technology for our children. And though we may know the negative effects of screens on our children, sometimes it seems like the only option for keeping them busy or quiet in many situations. As Christian parents and homemakers, we are called to guide our children toward activities that will nurture their minds and hearts, even in those tricky situations- but what does that look like in a practical sense?
As highlighted in an article from Opus Dei, screen time can easily undermine the quality of family life if left unchecked. Our goal shouldn't be to forbid technology altogether, but to help children develop self-mastery and find joy in real-world experiences.
Here are some screen-free strategies to keep kids engaged, whether at home, on the road, or waiting for an appointment:
Waiting Rooms & Doctor's Offices
Depending on your child's age, bring reusable sticker books, water-based coloring pages, or “I Spy” games.
Play a game like Simon Says or "20 Questions" to pass the time and make conversation with your child.
Road Trips & Long Drives
Create activity binders with blank paper, mazes, “How to Draw” booklets, and word searches.
Keep a selection of audiobooks from the library, podcasts, or classic read-alouds that can engage the entire family.
Pack simple games like Spot It!, travel magnatiles, or travel bingo.
At Home
Invite children into household tasks such as sorting laundry, cooking together, or caring for pets. It is good for children to take ownership in the home and contribute to something greater, rather than turning inward and going on a phone or watching TV alone.
Spark creativity: set up crafts using felt boards, clay, bracelet-making supplies, chalk sidewalk art, or nature-based projects like tracing leaves or building a bird house.
Build in “nature breaks”: outdoor workouts, park walks, or backyard free play replace default screen use with fresh air and interaction.
Beyond these ideas, one of the most important things we can do as parents in regards to helping our children regulate their perception of technology is by exhibiting healthy habits with our own devices. Using technology purposefully can help our children see it as a tool rather than a distraction. Calling relatives together, snapping a quick photo, or looking up a recipe or activity online are all ways to model healthy, intentional use. Even something like a family movie night can show that screens, when used well, can foster connection and joy. But when hours slip away scrolling social media, or when the phone becomes an escape from those right in front of us, the message our children receive is different: that screens come first- even before them.
Screen time is a tricky thing to navigate for any parent, but using some of these techniques and replacing screens somewhere in your child's life with an activity or opportunity for connection is a great place to start.
For more on this topic, check out this article from Families of Character on stopping screetime overload for kids.
The Importance of
Reading in the Home
Reading is one of the best activities we can do to combat screen addiction, both for our children and for ourselves. Studies show that reading to our children and encouraging reading in our homes is linked to higher literacy rates, academic success, and improved mental health.
We know the value of reading for our children: sparking creativity, building understanding, and nurturing empathy. But our own reading habits speak volumes, too. When children see parents reading, it reinforces that books are not just for school but for delight and discovery. Unfortunately, reading for pleasure has dropped by over 40% in recent years, and only about 2% of parents read with their children daily according to the Financial Times. Yet when kids grow up seeing books as a beloved part of life, they are far more likely to become lifelong readers themselves. Moreover, surrounding our homes with books has proven to support not just literacy, but long-term academic success and even emotional resilience. By embracing reading ourselves, reading to our children, and modeling it as a daily gift to our families, we create a home where curiosity, learning, and meaningful connection naturally flourish.
Let this be your sign to pick up some books from your local library- for your kiddos and yourselves- and incorporate reading into your family's routine.
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