8 Screen-Free Activities for Preschool Age Children

Avoiding Television, IPads, and Smart Phones with Young Children

Why Limit Screen Time?

Screens are everywhere. Television. Tablets. Smartphones. We are constantly bombarded with information and entertainment. I know that I have a hard time fighting the urge to scroll…but imagine a young child who doesn’t know better? Screens, especially interactive ones like tablets and smartphones, are designed to trigger dopamine release in the brain, the same “feel-good” chemical associated with addiction to substances like sugar, gambling, and even drugs. Did you know that by age 2, 40% have their own tablet? And by age 4, 60% of children have their own tablet. And by age 8, 25% of children also have a smartphone. Young children are simply just not able to control themselves around screens, which makes the job up to the parents. Our family is not completely screen free. Our children do not have access to tablets or smartphones, but they are allowed to watch shows and movies that are carefully selected by us.

Choosing Screen Free Activities

Sometimes screens just feel easier and that’s why we do it. And sometimes that is ok. But, I want to challenge you to ask yourself, “can I do this time without a screen right now?” Sometimes screens become a habit and both parents and children need to detox from screen dependency.

Top 8 Screen Free Activities for Preschool Age Children

1. Go outside. I know, I know, that’s what they all say. But there is a reason why they all say it! Because it works! If your children aren’t quite sure what to do outside, give them mini challenges, such as “I need some flowers for this vase”, or “can you get me a piece of grass, and a stick?” Children, being naturally helpful, will usually go off and accept your request, knowing that they are being helpful.
2. Make food together. Children, again, wanting to be naturally helpful, LOVE doing things in the kitchen. Making muffins, putting butter on toast, etc are all great activities to do with young children.
3. Building. Legos. Magnatiles. Blocks. There is just something about a great building toy that helps engage the minds of little children for an extended amount of time.
4. Reading. Instead of a screen, what if you cuddle up on the couch and read some great books! Having this become a habit is so life-giving…to everyone.
5. Listening to an audiobook or music. This is a great transition if screens or television is requested. If a child asks to watch a certain show or movie, say not today, but we can listen to the soundtrack!
6. Art. Most children I know love art. Painting, play dough, coloring. This is a great way to pass time that might have been used on screens.
7. Cleaning. Were you planning to clean while your children were on screens? How about instead, invite them to clean with you. Give them a spray bottle of water and a towel and clean the table, or floor, or give their toys a “bath”.
8. Baths. Speaking of baths, taking a bath can be a great way to calm a meltdown instead of a screen.

And of course, there are the exception days. The days when everyone is sick, or there is a blizzard, and you just need to do what you need to do. But, I would encourage you to start small. Replace one time that would have been spent on screens and choose something else. That is how a new habit will start.

What are some of your favorite screen free activities?