10 Screen-Free Activities for Kids

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained without reaching for a screen? Turn reading time into an adventure with these 10 fun, creative and educational activities.

Screens can be a great source of entertainment and learning, but sometimes children simply need a break. The good news? A screen-free day doesn’t have to mean a boring day.

With a few books, some colouring supplies and a little imagination, you can turn reading into an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Here are 10 screen-free activities for kids that put reading at the heart of play.

1. Create a Cosy Reading Corner

Give reading its own special space.

Let your child choose a comfortable spot, grab their favourite Butterfly book and create a cosy reading corner with blankets, cushions and a few favourite toys.

For younger readers, choose from Butterfly’s range of children’s books, including Butterfly’s Learn to Read, story collections and bedtime stories. For older children, encourage them to choose a story that matches their interests.

Make it extra fun: Give your reading corner a name and let your child create a sign for it using paper and colouring supplies.

2. Read, Then Colour

Combine two screen-free favourites: reading and colouring.

Choose a story and read it together. Afterwards, ask your child to draw or colour their favourite character, scene or moment from the story.

Butterfly’s Colour & Read Packs make this particularly easy, combining a colouring book with a paperback reading book. The range is designed to let children enjoy a story before getting creative with colouring.

Try asking:
“What was your favourite part of the story, and why?”

This turns a simple colouring activity into a reading-comprehension conversation.

3. Have a Family Story Time

Reading doesn’t always have to mean children reading independently.

Choose a book and take turns reading pages or sections aloud. Younger children can listen while older children practise reading aloud.

You can even give everyone a character to read, turning the story into a mini performance.

Butterfly’s Playtime Packs are ideal for this kind of activity because they combine a colouring book, activity book and a full-colour storybook in one pack. The packs are specifically designed to encourage creativity while nurturing reading skills.

Bonus idea: Use funny voices for the characters!

4. Become a Story Detective

Turn reading into a treasure hunt.

Before reading a story, ask your child to look at the cover and illustrations and make predictions about what might happen.

While reading, encourage them to look for clues:

  • Who is the main character?
  • Where does the story take place?
  • What problem needs to be solved?
  • What do you think will happen next?
  • How do you think the story will end?

This simple activity helps children engage with the story rather than simply reading the words on the page.

5. Build Your Own Story

What happens when your child becomes the author?

Give them a piece of paper and ask them to create their own story.

Start with three simple prompts:

A character + a place + a problem

For example:

A brave little elephant + the Kruger bushveld + a missing map.

Your child can draw pictures, write sentences or tell you the story while you write it down.

Butterfly’s Game Ranger Grace & The Big 5 Feelings range can provide wonderful inspiration for stories involving animals, adventures and emotions.

6. Read and Solve

For children who find traditional reading time difficult, mix reading with activities.

Choose a Butterfly activity book that combines reading-related engagement with puzzles, mazes, searches, matching or other challenges.

Butterfly’s activity range includes Funtivities, with activities such as tracing, mazes, dot-to-dot, search-and-find, counting, matching and completing patterns.

You can create a simple routine:

Read → Talk → Solve → Create

This keeps children engaged while developing different skills.

7. Start a Family Book Club

You don’t need a whole group of children to start a book club. Your family can be the book club!

Choose one story each week and have a short discussion afterwards.

Ask questions such as:

  • Who was your favourite character?
  • What would you have done differently?
  • Which part made you laugh?
  • Which part surprised you?
  • Would you recommend the book to someone else?

For older children, let them take turns choosing the weekly book.

Extra fun: Make simple “book club snacks” and create a special reading-time tradition.

8. Turn Reading Into a Drawing Challenge

After reading a story, challenge your child to illustrate it.

They could draw:

The main character
Their favourite scene
A new ending
What happens next
A new character

This is especially useful for children who enjoy creative activities more than sitting still with a book.

Butterfly’s colouring and activity ranges provide plenty of opportunities for children to practise creativity alongside their reading activities. 

9. Have a Screen-Free Puzzle Afternoon

Put the devices away and bring out the puzzles.

Puzzles are a great way to encourage children to slow down, concentrate and problem-solve.

Butterfly has wooden puzzles as part of its educational and Eduplay range, alongside books and other children’s learning products.

Make it a reading-and-puzzle afternoon by reading a story first, then choosing a puzzle inspired by the child’s interests.

For example: Read an animal story, then choose an animal-themed puzzle.

10. Create a "Read & Do" Activity Bucket

Why choose just one activity?

Create a Read & Do Bucket filled with screen-free activity ideas. Each time your child wants something to do, they can choose one.

Try adding:

  • Read a favourite story
  • Draw a character
  • Complete a colouring page
  • Do a puzzle
  • Create a bookmark
  • Write a short story
  • Find five new words in a book
  • Act out a story
  • Read to a teddy bear
  • Design a new book cover

Keep some of your child’s favourite Butterfly books and activity books nearby so they always have something ready to explore.

Butterfly offers a wide variety of reading, colouring and activity products, from storybooks and readers to Colour & Read Packs, activity books and educational titles, making it easy to create a screen-free activity collection at home.

11. Make Reading Part of the Adventure

Going screen-free doesn’t mean taking the fun away. It means creating opportunities for children to imagine, explore, create and discover.

A book can become a treasure hunt. A story can become a play. A character can inspire a drawing. A colouring page can become the beginning of a new adventure.

So, this holiday, put the screens aside, pick a book and let their imagination take over.

Because sometimes the best adventures happen when you turn the page.

Discover More From Butterfly

From reading and activity books to colouring, puzzles and educational products, Butterfly has plenty of ways to help keep little minds learning and creating—without a screen.

Pick a book. Start an adventure.