Unplugged Family Fun: 7 Screen-Free Activities for Toddlers and Parents

Living in a digital age, it’s easy to default to screens for entertainment—especially when you’re a busy parent living in a tiny space like an RV. But if your kids think fun only happens with Wi-Fi, it might be time to remind them (and yourself!) of the joys of unplugged family activities. As a family traveling full-time in an RV with two toddlers, we’ve had to get creative. Trust us—there’s nothing like the giggles and pure joy of old-school fun! Here are seven screen-free activities for toddlers are parent-loved, and perfect for any family looking to make magical memories.

1. Nature Walk Bingo: Adventure Meets Exploration

One of our family’s favorite activities is Nature Walk Bingo. Anytime we’re near a trail or park, we print or sketch a bingo card filled with items like “yellow leaf,” “butterfly,” or “acorn.” Armed with clipboards and markers, our toddlers turn into little explorers.

How to Play:

• Create or download a bingo card with nature-related items.
• Head outside and let your kids check off what they find.
• For added fun, reward completed rows with stickers or small prizes.

Pro Tip: Keep a stash of stickers handy for instant motivation.

Related Post: 10 FREE Family Activities to Keep Kids Entertained

2. DIY Obstacle Course: Let the Energy Burn!

Got energetic toddlers? A DIY obstacle course is a lifesaver, especially when you’re boondocking in wide-open spaces. Using items like pool noodles, pillows, and folding chairs, you can create an adventure course that keeps them entertained for hours.

How to Set It Up:

• Use household items to create obstacles like tunnels, jumps, or balance beams.
• Add challenges like tossing balls into buckets or crawling under chairs.

Pro Tip: Time your kids and cheer them on to make it competitive and fun.

Recommended Gear: Indoor/Outdoor Obstacle Course Kit for Kids

3. Craft Time: Creativity Unleashed

Crafting is perfect for calming busy toddlers while letting their imaginations soar. From salt dough ornaments to DIY bird feeders, the options are endless. Our favorite project? Making wind chimes from pinecones we collected during a hike.

Craft Ideas to Try:

• Salt dough ornaments (great for holiday gifts!).
• Bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed.
• Cardboard puppets for a mini puppet show.

Pro Tip: Keep a dedicated craft box in your RV for boredom emergencies.

Recommended Supplies: Kids Craft Supplies Mega Kit

4. Storytelling Round Robin: Sparking Imagination

Storytelling is a timeless activity that nurtures creativity and bonds the family. We start with “Once upon a time…” and take turns adding to the tale. The results? Hilarious, unexpected stories that we love replaying later.

How to Play:

• Each person adds a sentence to the story.
• Younger toddlers can act out the story with their toys.

Pro Tip: Record the stories on your phone and listen to them later for endless laughs.

Recommended Resource: Story Dice for Creative Kids

5. DIY Science Experiments: Fun Meets Learning

Turn your home—or RV—into a science lab! Simple experiments like baking soda volcanoes and slime-making are entertaining and educational.

Our Favorites:

• Baking soda and vinegar volcano.
• Making slime with glue and baking soda.
• Floating and sinking tests with random objects.

Pro Tip: Add goggles and an oversized shirt as a “lab coat” for extra fun.

Recommended Kit: Science Kit for Kids

6. Cardboard City: Imaginative Play at Its Best

With all the boxes we get from online orders, cardboard crafts are a no-brainer. The kids love turning them into forts, cars, and even tiny grocery stores.

How to Start:

• Use markers, tape, and scissors to create buildings or vehicles.
• Assign roles like “mayor” or “shopkeeper” for extra engagement.

Pro Tip: Save colorful washi tape to make creations pop.

Recommended Resource: Colorful Washi Tape for Crafts

7. Family Cooking Challenge: Little Chefs in Action

Cooking with toddlers can be messy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. On rainy weekends, we host mini cooking challenges where the kids help prepare simple recipes like pizzas or fruit parfaits.

What We Make:

• Mini pizzas with pre-made dough and fun toppings.
• Layered fruit parfaits with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit.

Pro Tip: Keep the recipes simple to avoid meltdowns.

Recommended Tools: Kid-Friendly Cooking Set with Aprons

Why Screen-Free Weekends Matter

Stepping away from screens, even for a few hours, has transformed our family weekends. Whether we’re building cardboard castles, exploring nature trails, or laughing over storytelling sessions, these unplugged moments create lasting memories.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 65.7% of boys and 64.6% of girls aged 2–17 years engage in more than two hours of screen time per weekday, excluding school-related activities, with this percentage increasing to 80.2% among adolescents aged 12–17 years. Source: CDC Report on Youth Screen Time

Ready to Start?

Try out these activities this weekend, and share your favorite screen-free ideas in the comments below. Looking for more inspiration? Explore our RV Living section for tips and outdoor activities I do with my children while we are on the road.

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