Teachers across the U.S. are sharing their favorite screen-free activities to help parents reduce their children's screen time. With kids aged five and older spending over three hours daily on devices, educators offer practical, engaging alternatives that foster creativity and imagination.
Why Screen-Free Activities Matter
Excessive screen time is linked to harmful health outcomes, but convincing children to swap Roblox for a paperback can be challenging. Brandon Jenkins, a fourth-grade STEM teacher in Houston, Texas, notes, "A lot of children who gravitate toward screens still crave creativity and imagination – they just need activities that feel immersive and engaging enough to compete with digital entertainment."
We interviewed five elementary school teachers who shared their tried-and-tested recommendations, from classic board games to creative uses of sidewalk chalk.
Classic Board Games That Still Win
Adrian Neibauer, a Denver-based elementary teacher, sees his students gravitating toward timeless games like Battleship, Sorry!, Jenga, and Uno. "These are classic games that are quick to learn, easy to play, and require strategy," he says. He even uses Battleship to teach coordinate plane geometry, noting that "students immediately make the connection to the game."
Ticket to Ride, a board game where players build train routes, is another favorite. For younger kids, the simpler version, First Journey, is recommended. Jenkins also suggests strategy-based games like Guess Who? to engage critical thinking.
Hands-On Activities for Fine Motor Skills
Chyna Delk-Bratcher, a kindergarten teacher and recipient of the 2024-2025 beginning teacher of the year award, emphasizes the joy of hands-on play. "My students especially love building with blocks, Unifix cubes, and magnetic tiles," she says. Unifix cubes, stackable pieces, help with counting and sorting, while magnetic tiles encourage creativity.
Noemi Hernandez, a first-grade dual language teacher and educator of the year in Kane County, recommends Operation to improve hand grip and control, which aids in writing. For quieter options, puzzles like eeBoo's "Octopus and Friends" or Piecework's dinosaur disco-themed puzzle are both kid-friendly and adult-approved.
DIY Escape Rooms and World-Building
Jenkins suggests creating simple escape room-style games at home using clues, hidden objects, or riddles. "It gives children that same sense of 'leveling up' they enjoy in video games while still being fully interactive and social," he explains. For busy parents, Thames & Kosmos' Exit board games offer a ready-made solution.
Neibauer notes that students who love video games often enjoy Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan because they mimic the world-building they enjoy online.
Friendly Competitions to Boost Engagement
Framing activities as challenges or missions can transform a child's interest. Jenkins designs STEM challenges with cups, index cards, and Legos, giving prompts like "build the tallest structure" or "create something that can protect an egg." Hernandez uses Disney's Eye Found It, a cooperative game that sharpens attention to detail.
The Magic of Ownership and Simple Materials
Reyes Andon, a New York City physical education teacher and 2025 Big Apple award winner, stresses that "the magic isn't in the equipment – it's in the ownership." He encourages using everyday items like pool noodles as hurdles or sidewalk chalk to create obstacle courses. "Children who gravitate toward screens often do so because screens give them agency. The key is to bring that same energy to physical play," he says.
When Screens Are Unavoidable
If screen time is inevitable, Delk-Bratcher recommends Epic!, a digital reading platform that rewards kids with points for reaching reading goals, keeping them motivated and engaged.
These teacher-approved activities offer practical, creative ways to reduce screen time while nurturing imagination and learning.
