20+ Screen-Free Week Activities for Kids That Inspire Outdoor Play (+ Free Printables!)
- jenniferlaceybaker
- May 5
- 4 min read
Looking for fun and easy screen-free week ideas to get kids outside and off devices? This post is packed with nature-based activities kids will love. They’re perfect for families, homeschoolers, and teachers looking to promote outdoor learning—and you’ll get two free printables to help make unplugged play simple and stress-free!
🎉 Happy Screen-Free Week!
If you're looking for screen-free week ideas or ideas on nature play for kids, you’re in the right place.
What’s that?
You didn’t know the first week of May is officially Screen-Free Week—a time to trade screen time for green time?
You’re not the only one! Truth be told, I didn’t know this week officially existed either. But let’s just keep that between you and me ;).
And if the idea of giving up screens for a whole week makes you break out in a cold sweat… you’re in good company. This is a safe space! Say it with me:
“I can do hard things!”
I’ve been there myself. In fact, I wrote a whole post about our early screen time struggles and how we found a better balance.
🐾 Feeling Overwhelmed by Screens?
How to Start a Screen-Free Week—One Day at a Time
Setting aside screens doesn’t have to feel daunting. And if a week feels like a mountain much too steep to hike, then focus on a day. Heck even just a couple of hours. Baby steps are better than backward steps. We just need a bit of forward momentum to get the ball rolling.
Starting a screen-free week doesn't mean going cold turkey or tossing the tablets. Start small:
Pick one day—or even just one hour to unplug as a family.
Set the tone by sharing your plan with your kids ahead of time.
Use tools like the Unplug & Play Checklist to give them choices and spark ideas.
Focus on connection over perfection—watch clouds, build a fairy house, or just explore together.
The goal isn’t a screen-free perfect week. It’s to trade screen time for green time—one step at a time. Use this next week to focus on family connection. Slow down, tune in, and smile over your coffee as you watch your wild child rediscover nature-based play. 🌱
Fair warning: The transition from indoor screens to outdoor scenes might feel like waking a hibernating bear. There may be growls—but hang in there, parents of a wild child! Once the initial shock wears off, your child will be better for it.
Curiosity will return.
Conversations will flow.
Connection will deepen—between your family and nature itself.
What feels stressful now, will gradually bring about a new calmness. So, whether you’re dedicated to taking on a full week, or just looking to cut back on screen time a little bit each day, I’ve got some boredom busters to help smooth the way! Keep an open mind and a spirit of adventure.
🌼 20 Nature-Inspired Screen-Free Activities
Screen-Free Week Activities for Kids (The Whole Family Will Love!)
🕵️ Nature Play Bingo – Let kids explore with purpose (Free printable below!)
🧚 Build a Fairy House – Use bark, leaves, and imagination.
🌈 Go on a Colour Hunt – Match paint chips to nature’s palette.
🤸 Balance Walk Challenge – Try logs, rocks, or your own DIY path.
✏️ Nature Journaling – Draw or write wild discoveries.
🎨 Mud Painting – Just soil, water, and stick brushes!
☁️ Cloud Watching – Lie back and tell sky stories.
🐾 Animal Track Hunt – Who’s been walking these woods?
🦊 Walk & Stalk – Move like a stealthy predator.
🪑 Sit Spot Challenge – Visit the same spot daily. Notice what changes.
🐞 Bug Hotel Building – Make a critter resort from twigs and cones.
☀️ Sunprint Art – Create shadow art with leaves and paper.
🪨 Rock Balancing Towers – Patience meets play.
🕵️♂️ Who Done It? – Spot nature clues and guess the animal.
🦅 Eye in the Sky – Pretend you’re a soaring hawk. What do you see?
🎨 Nature Craft Time – Use natural materials to create something new.
🛖 Build a Fort – A classic childhood adventure.
🧺 Plan a Picnic – Simple snacks, green grass, big memories.
🦌 Look for Antler Sheds – Or flowers, bugs, birds—choose a mission!
✅ Unplug & Play Checklist – Grab the free printable and get inspired!
📥 Free Printables for Screen-Free Fun
Ready to unplug? These free resources make it easy to start:
🌿 Nature Play Bingo
Perfect for parks, trails, or backyard adventures.
🌞 Unplug & Play Checklist
A quick visual list to post on your fridge and spark ideas.
🧭 Final Thoughts on Screen-Free Week
Reconnect with Your Wild Child and Nature
Even as someone who lives for nature, I’ll admit—I scroll too long sometimes too. Life is chaotic, and screens are easy. But between school, work, meal prep, and extracurriculars, there are still beautiful little moments waiting to be made. Don’t let screens steal them.
Reconnect with your wild child.
Trade screen time for green time.
Start creating outdoor memories that last.
🌱 Ready to Unplug and Reconnect?
Grab your free Nature Play Bingo and Unplug & Play Checklist, post them on the fridge, and let the wild (and screen-free!) fun begin.
📌 Know a parent or teacher who could use this?
Share this post and spark a nature play revolution—one muddy footprint at a time.
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