Beyond Screen Time: 5 Screen Free Ideas to Try with Kids

Screens are everywhere — in restaurants, in waiting rooms, even at the dinner table. They’ve become the "easiest way" to keep kids entertained. But once screen time becomes the default, it’s a slippery slope.

Why Screen-Free Alternatives Matter

Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong has cautioned against using screens as “babysitters.” Excessive screen time can impact focus, language development, and sleep.

But here’s the reality: parenting is tough. Not everyone has grandparents on standby, a helper at home, or a village to lean on. Sometimes, screen time is the only way to cook dinner, answer a call, or just breathe.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about being intentional and offering screen-free play alternatives whenever possible.

My Story: A Conscious Effort

I know how hard it is. I’ve even had to tell my mother-in-law not to put on Cocomelon. She would say, “It’s just for a little while, it’s okay.” and I had to gently but firmly ask her not to. That's when I realised - it wasn’t about defiance, it was about not knowing what else to do to engage the kids.

Kids don’t know what they don’t know — and if screens become the default, they’ll miss the joy of real-world play. They won’t know how to entertain themselves beyond the screen.

Screen-Free Alternative Play Ideas

Here are some simple screen free alternative play activities that work at home — and give you a breather without the guilt:

🎶 Singing & Dancing Together

Play music, sing loudly, and let them move. It burns energy, builds rhythm, and strengthens language skills. We love songs like "Hop little bunnies", "Freeze Dance". One of the easiest (and free!) screen-free activities to start right away.

🎲 Simple Family Games

With Curios® flashcards, kids can match alphabets, colours, numbers, or shapes — turning learning into fun. These educational toys double as screen-free bonding time.

🏰 Building & Imaginative Play

Blocks, Lego, magnetic tiles, or even household items spark endless creativity. This type of open-ended play is a Montessori staple — teaching problem-solving, focus, and imagination.

🎨 Art & Painting

Messy, but magical. We use crayons and erasable markers instead of watercolours to keep cleanup more manageable. Art is one of the best screen-free alternatives for self-expression and fine motor skill development.

🎨 Waterplay

A bathtub, a bucket, water plus a few cups can keep kids happily occupied for ages.

Make it more fun by adding:

• 🌱 Chia seeds – they swell up and create a slime-like texture for sensory play

• 🌈 Food colouring – turn the water into a “sea” or a magical potion (just note: it may stain swimsuits or towels!)

• 🧼 Bubbles or foam – a squirt of baby-safe soap transforms it into a bubble lab

• 🐠 Bath toys or small figurines – encourage pretend play and storytelling

🌳 Outdoor Adventures

Sometimes the best screen-free toy is nature itself. A quick run downstairs, chasing bubbles, or a shoulder ride with the MiniMeis carrier resets energy and lifts moods.

Final Thoughts

Parenting in Singapore isn’t easy. Between rising costs and busy lifestyles, it often feels like we’re trading time for money. Screens may give us short-term peace, but what kids need most is our time, presence, and opportunities to play.

Every small choice for screen-free alternative play adds up — to better focus, stronger bonds, and more confident children.

💬 What’s your favourite screen-free activity? Or a good educational show you don’t mind your kids watching? Drop your ideas below — let’s build a list parents can actually use.

👉 Tired of the screen struggle? You’re not alone. Curios® gives you screen-free, Montessori-inspired play ideas that work in real life — so you get a breather, and your child gets to learn through play.