Toys & Games

Screen-Free Summer Fun Ideas

With summer in full swing, I’ve heard more than my fair share of kids complaining about being bored. Screens and video games and TV can definitely be a part of their summer break, but if you’re at all like me, you want your kids to spend more of their time playing outside, reading, and engaging in other screen-free activities.

If you’re in need of some ideas, check out our list of 50 creative ways to stave off summer boredom. In addition to free and low-cost activities that will encourage kids to keep themselves busy, I also like to offer a couple of new toys and activities to change things up. Here are some suggestions that will encourage summertime learning and inspire creativity, all while having fun!

Buddha Boards are inspired by the Zen idea of living in the moment. The 12″ x 9″ board rests on a stand that doubles as a water reservoir. Using only water – no ink or paint to get on the couch! – anyone can create temporary artwork with the included bamboo paintbrush. The reusable board can be “painted” on over and over again. As the water evaporates, so does the artwork. It’s a neat way for kids to practice their drawing and doodling at the same time as they learn to embrace inner peace.

Buddha Boards also come in 2 other variations: a more portable one-piece Buddha Board Enso with a hinged lid that folds into its own easel stand, and a travel-sized 5″ x 5″ Mini Buddha Board. Both are perfect for road trips, and the travel-sized board fits in my purse for use in waiting rooms or whenever the need for inner zen strikes us!

The National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit is a cool hands-on STEM-based activity that will capture your child’s imagination and ignite their desire to learn. Give your paleontologist-in-training the chance to excavate a genuine coprolite (dino poop) fossil and a replica T-rex tooth fossil using a dig tool and brush similar to the tools used by real paleontologists in the field.

This kit includes a large dig brick, tools and brush, replica T-rex tooth fossil, genuine coprolite fossil, and a detailed learning guide packed with educational information about fossils, paleontology, and the mighty T-rex.

Geodes are naturally forming volcanic rocks that contain amazing crystal formations. This National Geographic Break Open 2 Real Geodes Kit will let your child crack open what appear to be unassuming rocks to discover the beautiful crystal minerals hiding inside!

Besides the thrill of discovery, kids will also learn about geodes and minerals with the included full-color educational learning guide. The box includes 2 geodes, safety goggles, a learning guide, and display stand perfect for showcasing the crystals and starting their own rock collection.

These miniaturized sets from SmartLab Toys are super cute and so much fun! The Tiny Science Set may be small, but the tools really work. The tiny lab cabinet holds and organizes all the tools including a tiny funnel, petri dish and lid, beaker, Erlenmeyer flask, 6 ml graduated cylinder, magnifier, 3 test tubes, test tube stand, pipette, measuring scoop, ruler, working balance scale, and 3 gram weights.

The 48-page lab book is stored on the back of the cabinet and will walk kids through 20 tiny and fun experiments using basic household ingredients like baking soda, black tea, dish soap, Epsom salt, sugar, table salt, glue, and vinegar. Make tiny slime, learn how to test for acids and bases, oxidize a penny, or grow a tiny crystal. Each experiment details the tools and supplies they’ll need, step-by-step instructions, and an explanation of the scientific principles behind the experiment.

Real food. Real science. Real fun! Budding bakers will be able to bake itty-bitty pies, cupcakes, pastries, and pizzas with the help of teeny-tiny tools and oven-safe pans. This 17-piece Tiny Baking Set includes a storage tin with top, rolling pin, wee-knife, pizza/dough cutter, mixing spoon, 3 wee-spoons, mixing bowl, pie server, 2 silicone finger mitts, pizza/pie pan, sheet pan, silicone cake & cupcake molds, and recipe book. Recipe ingredients aren’t included though.

The 48-page recipe book contains 20 tried-and-true recipes like Easy Teeny Frittata, Vanilla Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip Cook-wees, Lattice-Crust Fruit Pie, Bits o’ Bacon Quiche, Deep Dish Pizza, Silly Little Monkey Bread Pie, and more. Each recipe comes with explanations for how food chemistry works, like why cakes rise, why cooking eggs turns them solid, and what makes cookies smell so delicious.

Of course the end results won’t be more than a bite (to reiterate, everything is really, really tiny), but kids will get a huge kick out of the process, and you may just encourage them to take up full-size baking!

Disclosure: I received sample items to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

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  • The The National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit looks like a lot of fun and the baking kit would be a huge hit in my home as well.