How to Keep Your Child Creatively Engaged Without Screens

When Screens Aren’t the Answer

If you're a parent of a child aged 6 to 12, you’ve likely faced this tricky moment: the end of a long school day, your child is bored or restless, and all they want is one thing — a screen. It’s understandable. Screens offer instant entertainment, and sometimes, they feel like the only way to get a moment of peace. But somewhere deep down, you worry — is it too much? Are they missing other ways to play, to grow, to dream?

You’re not alone. And the good news is, there are ways to nurture your child’s creativity and give them meaningful, engaging experiences, without relying on digital devices. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best tools you already have at home — curiosity, some open space, and a bit of time.

Rediscover the Power of Boredom

One of the first steps to creative, screen-free play is changing how we see boredom. When your child says, "I’m bored," your instinct might be to rush in with a solution. But boredom can be the gateway to creativity. It stretches their brain to think, plan, imagine, and invent. Let it linger just a bit longer. Give them the space to figure it out. You might be surprised by what they come up with all on their own.

Of course, some gentle scaffolding helps. Without turning into an activity planner, you can guide them toward options that fuel creative thinking.

Build First, Worry About the Mess Later

Before creativity, there’s usually chaos. And yes, sometimes it’s messy. Cardboard forts, homemade board games, science experiments in the kitchen — each of these involves some disorder. But they also light a fire in your child’s imagination. Investing in open-ended materials can go a long way: boxes, string, colored tape, recycled containers, clay, or LEGOs offer infinite possibilities. Consider asking your child: “What can you build that no one has ever seen before?” Then step back.

Don’t worry if your child isn’t naturally crafty. Not every child gravitates toward paint or markers — and that’s okay. If you’re facing this challenge, you might enjoy reading this article on creativity beyond drawing.

Bring Stories Into Their World

One profoundly screen-free way to engage your child is through stories — not only reading them, but listening to them, imagining them, and even telling their own. Audiobooks, in particular, bridge the space between entertainment and learning. They cultivate listening skills, vocabulary, and empathy, all while offering rich, layered narratives that feed the imagination.

The iOS and Android app LISN Kids offers an evolving library of original audiobooks and audio series crafted for children ages 3 to 12. Whether your child is painting quietly, lying on the carpet daydreaming, or drifting off to sleep, stories from the LISN Kids app provide thoughtful, age-appropriate entertainment.

For more on how audio storytelling supports your child’s imagination and learning, we invite you to explore this deep dive into the magic of audiobooks.

Let the Child Take the Lead

Not every moment needs a structured activity. Part of developing creativity is learning how to lead one’s own play. Set up some loosely defined materials — perhaps a scarf and a shoe box, or a pile of pillows and some plastic animals — and see what they do. Avoid interrupting or narrating; instead, watch how the story unfolds.

You might observe something remarkable: when left to their own imagination, children begin creating worlds, conflicts, resolutions — storytelling in its purest form. Curious how this works? Our article on nurturing your child’s storytelling skills offers valuable starting points.

Invite Creativity Into Daily Routines

Creativity doesn’t have to happen in its own corner. Invite your child’s imagination into everyday life. Cooking dinner? Ask them to invent a new recipe name. Folding laundry? Challenge them to arrange clothes into a code or pattern. Packing a lunch? Let them write a note or tiny riddle for someone else’s lunchbox. These micro-moments tell children: your ideas are welcome here.

Connect Through Play

Playing together can be one of the most powerful ways to connect — when it doesn't feel like more work for you. The secret is choosing the right kind of game. Focus on games that spark laughter, creativity, and storytelling. Our guide to imaginative family games is a great place to begin. Even ten minutes of shared silliness can strengthen your bond and invite a screen-free reset.

After the Screen, Give Space to Dream

It’s not about abolishing screens completely. But it is about making room for other kinds of magic. Whether it’s beneath a blanket fort while listening to an audiobook, or sprawled on the floor designing a new kind of pet, your child is building critical skills — imagination, focus, and independent thought.

And you? Hopefully you’ll find a few quiet moments to step back and see not just the mess or the noise, but the incredible mind at work — dreaming, building, exploring — no screen in sight.