50+ Screen-Free Activities for Tweens and Teens

Inside: When you want your teen to unplug, here are 50 screen-free activities your entire family will enjoy (or at least keep them busy for awhile.)

There is no reason to feel guilty for giving your teens a reasonable amount of screen-time.  But many parents feel that between school and video games and social media our kids are wired all the time.

You might even be worrying that your kids have a screens or cell phone addiction and it might be time to get all this tech use and social media scrolling under control.

But your kids aren’t little anymore, and they may not think the fun activities they used to do willingly with Mom or Dad have the same appeal.

Sometimes we have to remind our big kids that it’s okay to still remain in their childhood.

You don’t need us to tell you about the dangers of too much screen time. While we think it’s fine for tweens and teenagers to play Fortnite or veg out on an ipad, they also need to function in living color.

If you’re needing a little inspiration to get your tweens and teens to unplug and spend some time on tech-free activities, the following suggestions might help.

Also, instead of constantly battling with your teens about their tech usage, involve them in the process. Plan time for a family meeting and have them talk with you about what they think is a reasonable amount of daily tech time.

You might even have them make a schedule. This is particularly useful in the summer months when there is more downtime.

So, keep this list handy for the whole family, and then when it’s time to turn the devices off, use it as a starting point. They may even forget and the Internet and electronics. Well, at least for a little bit.

More than 50 Activities for Teens and Tweens that Don’t Require a Screen

1. Origami

Harry Potter Origami Volume 1 (Harry Potter)Japanese Origami for Beginners Kit: 20 Classic Origami Models: Kit with 96-page Origami Book, 72 Origami Papers and Instructional Videos: Great for Kids and Adults!Star Wars Origami

 

2. Grow something. This can be a great way for your tween/teen to develop a new skill and get some fresh air. Let them pick some decorative pots and decide what they want to plant, whether it’s edible or for show.

3. Cook or Bake something. Let them make a cake for a friend or cookies for a cause.

4. Build something. Remember when your kid used to play with legos for hours? There are now so many advanced sets and engineering projects that can keep hands busy for hours. You can also make a deal that they can watch a YouTube video with instructions so they actually feel like they still have access to their screen, but with purpose.

A Teen Guide to Eco-Gardening, Food, and Cooking (Eco Guides)The Cookbook for Teens: The Easy Teen Cookbook with 74 Fun & Delicious Recipes to TryWood Shop: Handy Skills and Creative Building Projects for Kids

 

5. Write Your Own Book or Comic Book. Consider self-publishing it and selling it on Amazon.

6. Read An Adventure Book, or go to a local library and let them pick out any book of their choice.

7. Donate Books You’ve Already Read to Charity

Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s HandbookDare to Write: Creative Writing Prompts for Young People and Word Rebels EverywhereStan Lee’s How to Write Comics: From the Legendary Co-Creator of Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Iron Man

 

8. Color their hair with hair chalk

9. Practice Braiding Hair. Print out some new styles from Pinterest.

10. Learn how to give yourself a Mani/Pedi

Original Stationery 10-Piece Hair Chalk for Girls Washable Set, Temporary Hair Color Pens for Face Painting – Vibrant Metallic Markers – Washable Chalk for Girls – Birthday and Easter GiftThe New Braiding Handbook: 60 Modern Twists on Classic HairstylesSpectacular Nail Art: A Step-by-Step Guide to 35 Gorgeous Designs

 

11. Draw or Sketch

12. Try Painting with Watercolors

13. Go old school and learn how to hand letter.

Drawing Set – Sketching and Charcoal Pencils – 100 Page Drawing Pad, Kneaded Eraser. Art Kit and Supplies for Kids, Teens and Adults, Sketch SetArtecho Watercolor Paint Set 100 Colors with Metallic in Portable Box, Paint Kit with Watercolor Papers and Brushes, Water Color Set for Beginners & ProfessionalsHappy Hand Lettering: An Inspirational Guide for Creating Beautiful Words of Life

 

14. Try A Sudoku puzzle

15. Solve A Mystery Puzzle

16. Figure Out A Logic Puzzle

1000+ Sudoku Puzzles for Adults: A Book With More Than 1000 Sudoku Puzzles from Easy to Hard for adults.BePuzzled Classic Mystery 1000pc Jigsaw Puzzle – Murder on the TitanicPuzzle Baron’s Logic Puzzles: Hours of Brain-Challenging Fun!

 

17. Gaze at the Stars

18. Go Geocaching

19. Take A Hike

Hiking Logbook: Hiking Journal With Prompts To Write In, Trail Log Book, Hiker’s Journal, Hiking Journal, Hiking Log Book, Hiking Gifts, 6100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky: From Planets and Satellites to Meteors and Constellations, Your Guide to Stargazing (100 Things to See Astronomy Series)Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.

 

20. Learn To Knit/Crochet/Needlepoint

21. Make A Craft

22. Build A Model

Red Heart, How to Crochet Kit, My Crochet Teacher, Learn to SetRock Art Handbook: Techniques and Projects for Painting, Coloring, and Transforming Stones (Fox Chapel Publishing) Over 30 Step-by-Step Tutorials using Paints, Chalk, Art Pens, Glitter Glue & MoreNifeliz S63 Hypercar Model Building Set, 1:8 Scale Collectible Racing Car for Adults, Build and Display Race Car Model for Home or Office Décor, Gift for Motorsport Fans (3,699 PCS, NF10283)

 

23. Play A Board Game

24. Play Outdoor Games with the neighbors like kickball or Capture the Flag

25. Play Pool Games

CATAN Board Game (6th Edition) Trade, Build & Settle in The Classic Strategy Game for Family, Kids & Adults, Ages 10+, 3-4 Players, 60-90 Min Playtime, Made by Catan StudioKan Jam Original Disc Toss Game – Kan Jam Rookie, PRO and To-Go Disc Golf Sets with Illuminate LED Frisbee VersionsPoolmaster Smash ‘n’ Splash Water Paddle Ball Swimming Pool Game, 11

 

26. Volunteer

27. Go Through Your Stuff And Donate Gently Used Items To Charity

28. Organize A Service Project or Create A Charity

Lonely Planet Kids 101 Small Ways to Change the WorldThe Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a DifferenceThe Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference

 

29. Draw In An Adult Coloring Book

30. Learn to Draw Anime

31. Create Your Own Jewelry

Adult Coloring Book : Stress Relieving Designs Animals, Mandalas, Flowers, Paisley Patterns And So Much MoreThe Master Guide to Drawing Anime: How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates – A How to Draw Anime / Manga Books Series (Volume 1)New Stamped Metal Jewelry: Innovative Techniques for 23 Custom Jewelry Designs

 

32. Do Yoga

33. Learn meditation.

34. Start A Journal

Yoga Exercises for Teens: Developing a Calmer Mind and a Stronger Body (SmartFun Activity Books)5-Minute Mindfulness Meditations for TeensWreck This Journal: Now in Color

 

35. Work On Life Skills

36. Wash The Car/Deck/Windows (Be Helpful)

37. Get Ready for The PSAT/ACT/SAT

How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn before You’re Grown UpThe Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course800+ SAT Practice Questions, 2025: In-Book + Online Practice Tests for the Digital SAT (2025) (College Test Preparation)

 

38. Organize and Rearrange Your Room

39. Take Photos with A Polaroid And Create a Polaroid Wall

40. Make A Scrap Book

Zink Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera (White) with ZINK Zero Ink Printing TechnologyAOSTAR Photos Clips String Lights 20 LED Battery Operated Fairy String Lights for Bedroom Hanging Photos, Room Decor for Teen Girls, Thanksgiving Christmas Wedding Decorations(10FT Warm White)FaCraft Scrapbook Kit for Teenage Girls (8×8,Green)

 

41. Build An Epic Rube Goldberg

42. Design an Escape Room

43. Go On A Scavenger Hunt

HowExpert Guide to Chain Reactions: The Ultimate Handbook for Creating Fun, Crazy, and Creative Chain Reaction Machines & Domino EffectsEXIT: The Cursed Labyrinth | Exit: The Game – A Kosmos Game | Family-Friendly, Card-Based at-Home Escape Room Experience for 1 to 4 Players, Ages 10+EXIT: The Game – The Hunt Through Amsterdam | Escape Room |Co-op Games | 1+ Players |Ages 5-7| Brainteasers |Art Heist | Ages 12+

 

44. Have A Nerf Gun War

45. Have A Water Balloon Fight

46. Have A Water Gun Battle

Nerf Ultra One Motorised Blaster – 25 Darts – Furthest Flying DartsHeytech 2 Pack Super Water Gun 1200CC High Capacity Water Soaker Blaster Squirt Toy Swimming Pool Beach Sand Water Fighting Toy (Green)Original Bunch O Balloons Tropical Party 330+ Rapid-Filling Self-Sealing Water Balloons (Amazon Exclusive 10 count, pack of 1) by ZURU Water Balloon for the Whole Family, Kids, Teens and Adults

 

47. Play Darts

48. Try Hacky Sack

49. Work On Your Balance

Franklin Sports Bristle Dart Board – Professional Steel Wire Dartboard – Regulation Sized 18Popdarts Pro Pack Game Set (Purple and Yellow) – Indoor, Outdoor Suction Cup Throwing Game – Competition with a POPDIRTBAG Hacky Sack Footbag Crochet 3 PackFitlaya Fitness Balance Board Trainer Wooden Training Equipment for Fitness Workout, Hockey‎, Skateboarding, Surfing and Snowboarding (CROWN SKULL)

 

50. Bike, Shoot Hoops, Walk/Run The Neighborhood, Jump Rope, Dance To A Favorite Playlist, Kayak, Paddleboard, Skateboard, Practice an Instrument, Juggle A Soccer Ball, Fish, Fly a Kite, Swim Laps, hit a tennis ball against the garage.

51. Learn a new language.

52. Get a part time job.

52. Start your own business, such as pet sitting, dog walking, lawn mowing, or babysitting.

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