Nila has been obsessed with her Yoto players since she got them a few years ago, and honestly, anything that gets her off the iPad for a bit is a win in my book. If you are looking for screen-free activities for kids, this has been such an easy go-to in our house.
Now the days are getting a bit lighter and everyone seems to have more energy. I’ve been leaning into really simple, low-effort ways to keep her entertained without screens, and Yoto has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting for me. It’s one of those things I don’t have to overthink or prep for, which, let’s be honest, is exactly what you need most days if you are a busy parent!.
What I love is that it still feels like she’s doing something fun and engaging, just without the constant stimulation that comes with screens. It gives her a bit of independence, too, which I love.
Here are a few of our go-to screen-free wins at the moment:
Kitchen disco
This one requires zero effort from me. I’ll stick something on while I’m cooking or cleaning, and suddenly we are dancing around the kitchen like it’s a full-on party, even Cora joins in :) It turns those everyday moments into something a bit more fun, and the next thing you know, you are reconnecting again. We are currently loving Olivia Dean's new album, The Art of Loving.
Storytime
Perfect for a bit of calm, either after school or when I just need five minutes to catch up on my emails. Nila will happily sit and listen, which honestly never happens otherwise. It’s become part of our wind-down routine without me having to actually sit and read; sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t, no judgment, we all love an audiobook, right? The springtime stories collection is a great one for this time of year.
Baking Together
We love baking together, and anything in the kitchen, Nila loves to get stuck in. The Baking with Yoto cards are great for little ones to follow step-by-step instructions to create their very own masterpieces. I quite enjoy them too. The kitchen does end up a mess, but we move :)
Crafting Afternoons
The draw-along Yoto cards have been a big hit here. Nila loves a talk-through craft session, and the Yoto cards guide you through the steps without me needing to sit and lead the whole thing. It keeps her busy, gets her being creative and stops the constant “can I have the iPad?” every five minutes. I am not allowed to look at the drawing until it is finished, and she always does such an amazing job :)
Less screen time, more proper playing, and I don’t feel like I’m constantly negotiating over devices. It’s not about cutting screens out completely, I'm more than happy for iPad time, we all love a scroll!, but having something like this that she genuinely enjoys makes such a difference.
If you are trying to reduce screen time a bit this spring without making it a whole thing, this has been such a simple win for us, and if you’ve got any other screen-free ideas that actually work in real life, send them my way :)
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