150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids: The Very Best and Easiest Playtime Activities from FunAtHomeWithKids.com!

by Asia Citro

Bring back playtime, all the time!

Dive into a Bubbling Swamp World. Drum on an Outdoor Sound Wall. Explore the gooeyness of Glowing Slime.

With the one-of-a-kind projects in "150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids," your family will rediscover the spirit of imaginative play! These fun activities help develop your child's creativity and skills--all without a screen in sight. Featuring step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, each budget-friendly project will keep your child entertained, engaged, and learning all day long. Best of all, no one will complain about turning off the TV or computer with such entertaining activities as:


Natural Dye Fingerpaints
Taste-Safe, Gluten-Free Playdough
Erupting Volcano Dinosaur World
Fizzy Rainbow Slush
Taste-Safe Glow Water
Complete with dozens of exercises for babies, toddlers, and school-aged children, "150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids" will help your family step away from your devices and step into endless afternoons of playtime fun!

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens, Education, Art, Crafts, Teaching

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2014

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. Asia Citro has taken some choice gems from her website and condensed them into an easy to use book. It's essentially a cook book for making your own play substances like slime, paint, and play-dough. She has some good suggestions and a nice list of resources in the back. I also like her "troubleshooting tips" after each recipe. Very helpful. We will definitely be trying some of these.

I do think it's important to highlight though that before you feel bad about yourself for not being a super-creative, fun, imaginative play mom, you have to realize that we all prioritize different things as parents depending on our strengths. So where Asia mentions, 'map out your week and plan a different activity for each day of the week.' I struck out 'each day' and mentally substituted 'plan a different activity for each week.' I've noticed this trend in a lot of recent blog to book books. These are people who have made a conscious decision for their family to prioritize some kind of experience (sensory, art, music, reading/literature, etc etc) in their homes. Same thing goes for the Artful Parent (another great read). Jean prioritizes art in her home. I just can't. And there's no need to compare myself to her or her family. But I can definitely try some of these activities. I just have to mentally remind myself that there's no reason for me to become Jean or Asia.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roll up your sleeves and stock up on corn starch, these are great activities. Not only are these activities science based, they teach colors, math (measuring ingredients), engage fine motor skills, and use common household ingredients that are non toxic and even some which are taste safe. Well worth the read, especially for weekend or rainy day fun.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some straight-up awesome ideas in here. So many are applicable for library programs, and others I'm just going to tuck away for babysitting. I really like that there are lots of taste-safe slimes, doughs, and paints -- all well coded about the possible allergens and other things you might want to avoid. There are plenty of extension activities excellent troubleshooting for what might go wrong with the slimes and doughs.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not 150 activities. This was maybe 30 or so with variations on the exact same activity. It wasn't very helpful as my kid doesn't like doing half of the things in here (I already know from previous experiences). I maybe got 5 good ideas out of here and it was adjusting what the idea in the book was.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was looking forward to some more innovative ideas than making playdough and slush etc. and away from getting my hands dirty, but there were still some worthwhile ideas here.

[Jennifer Stoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I legit bought a paper copy of this for a reference manual after I read two thirds of it. My 3 year old is excited to start doing several of these activities - the entire Small Worlds chapter is extremely her jam right now and I cannot wait to start doing that and the butterfly wings.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

150 + activities is quite an exaggeration. I'd say it's closer to 30-50 activities with variations on a theme.
An entire chapter is devoted to slimes, another chapter (40 pages) is devoted to doughs.
Chapter 5: "Small worlds" is a good example of one activity with different themes. And some of those themes aren't that varied, ex.Dragon World vs Medieval Dragon World.

In the first chapter, the author discusses how she makes "taste-safe" materials that allow mouthing children to explore materials, and that "those recipes are designed to be unpalatable (gritty, bitter)".
What I don't understand is why anyone would want to make a dough that smells like it should be edible and then expect the child not to want to eat it. The banana playdough "smells just like freshly baked banana bread". The "Melting Ice Cream Dough smells like real ice cream". Let the child mouth plain dough instead of giving them contradictory sensory messages and setting them up for an eating disorder.

Finally, her use of food items to make doughs and clays is disgraceful. Children can have sensory experiences with food as well as "toys", so save the peanut butter, canned pumpkin, cinnamon, cocoa powder, frosting flavor mixes or pumpkin pie spices for cooking.

I will try some of the activities. In Ice Excavation, you freeze several objects within a column of ice and then the child uses warm water in a squirt bottle to melt the ice away.

[Kandice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! I've had it checked out from the library since January. I would renew it until my renewel limit was up, then return it and ask the librarian, "Has anyone reserved it? If not, I'd like to check it out again." Thank God for multiple copies!!

So I just ordered it for myself for Mother's Day (you're welcome, hubby/children). How thoughtful of me! I'm so excited for it to arrive because I won't worry about getting it dirty while making a batch of slime. I can make notes in it and write my name on the inside cover.

Asia Citro has thought of everything. She has easy recipes and activities that any tired parent could follow. She even includes gluten-free recipes for those suffering from Gluten and those partaking in fad diets! Most sensory activities are edible, so you don't have to worry if your toddler taste tests (and they will). She even includes ideas for natural dyes. I especially loved the chapter on small world play.

I think this would be a lovely gift for a parent, caregiver, and educator.

[Jamie is · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually read this today in the bookstore - it was that short. As opposed to being a collection of many types of activities and games, it's organized around six types of art activities, mainly constructing different types of paint, goop, dough, and sculptures (all of which my daughter already has tons of). The really big take-away (and only unique item) for me however was the "mini-worlds" section- basically constructing little habitats like beaches, tundra, rainforests, etc. inhabited by little toy creatures.

[Krysta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A large part of the book is different slime recipes, dying different foods different colors, and instructions on how to make "small worlds" like dinosaur world, etc. I was hoping for great variety and more activities that I haven't already seen online.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas and well illustrated with photos. Budget friendly!

[Eileen]

No star rating since I skimmed more than read this book. It has some good basic play ideas and a lot of recipes if you're the kind of person who has time to make your own instead of buying non-toxic commercial play dough, etc. I have concerns that some of the edible sensory would be better done simply by touching while eating rather than by scenting flavored goos that sometimes your child will taste based on food aroma then find deliberately unpalatable to avoid eating. The small world section is again varations on the theme: habitat-in-a-box. I happen to have kids on the spectrum in mind for screen free sensory experiences - mine isn't that likely to make extended imaginative use of these. I have memories of making similar things with loose parts, paper or felt that didn't call to him at all. I spent more time creating them than he did touching them. If your kid(s) love this, great! The Discovery Bottles on page 226 looked like they might hold interest longer, but I recall homemade versions we made being time bombs in terms of risk if they come unsealed. Basically much of this requires a ton of adult prework followed by one-on-one management of risk and mess. Not my idea of fun!

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The phrase “screen-free activities” doesn’t properly capture the level of creativity and special-occasion magic portrayed in these pages. Yes, you’ll find play dough recipes (classic, easy, gluten free, and taste safe are just the beginning) and sensory table ideas in this book, but that’s not all. How about watercolor paintings that crystallize as they dry? Paintings that puff up in the microwave? Frozen “ice cream dough” that smells like chocolate or strawberry and slowly melts as you play with it? Dinosaur sensory tables with foaming volcanos and bubbling swamps?! Needless to say, as I turned the pages and found simple ideas for a parent/toddler class, my 11-year-old found many projects she would love to try.

It all makes sense when I realized that this book was written by Asia Citro, who is well-known in our house as the author of the Zoey and Sassafras series, which features a kid who employs the scientific principles of observation and experimentation to aid magical creatures. Before she began writing this series, Citro was already combining science and imaginative delight. What fun!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas for sensory activities for littles. So many of them are messy or best done outdoors, which is either a significant time commitment for adults or not accessible year-round. Not to say the activities wouldn't be super fun, though, and adaptable with a little creativity! It's just not every day that you're willing to shepherd a two-year-old through edible paint and the many surfaces on which it can be applied. Bonus points for alerting adults to which activities are friendly for a variety of allergies and sensitivities.

[Sadina Shawver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book by a coworker from my last library when I moved and it has become one of the best resources I have for my Crafternoons. Even when I don't think a craft or activity is exactly what I'm looking for, I can usually bounce it off my new coworkers or Pinterest and come up with the perfect alteration. Caregivers are always pleased with the edible playdohs and the kids love the various slimes I come up with. 10/10 would recommend to any other Children's Librarians out there.

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific resource for parents of babies(maybe), toddlers, and ESPECIALLY preschoolers. Due to doggies and carpet and an OCD hubby, I am personally hesitant to do the slimes, doughs, and paints ideas (which feels like at least 50% of the book). Once my son is 2 years old I think it will be less of a disaster to try those messier forms of play and I will use this book as a checklist and look forward to trying every activity in here.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with many creative ideas on ways to engage babies, toddlers, and children in open-ended play from the comfort of your home. I appreciated how she categorizes the activities/recipes for homemade goops/playdoughs and highlights if they are taste-safe for babies that still mouth everything. I'm looking forward to integrating a few of these ideas immediately and others as my baby and toddler grow up.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friends with toddlers need to check out this book! I love these ideas for interactive, creative and (easy to clean but) messy play. Includes recipes for slime, dough and finger paints (many of which are taste-safe!), "small worlds" and DIY toys. Clear instructions and lots of explanatory pictures make this book a real winner!

[Jacinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essentially a cookbook of recipes for playdough, gloop, slime and paints but with lots of ways to vary the play and ingredients (lots of taste free and allergen free alternatives for example). I particularly liked the explanation on how to encourage small world play which is where our play is currently heading.

[Shnnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids enjoyed reading & following the recipes for these homemade craft items. Some were cost prohibitive (the girl playing with a Rubbermaid full of the moonsand must’ve had a $100 budget) but this was perfect for hot summer day ‘what should I do inside’ time. Great sensory exploration for SPD kids.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful compilation of creative ideas. Of course there are some of the typical ideas, but there are so many great new ones as well. My favorite chapter was "Small Worlds" - I know the boys will love them!

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

There weren't too many activities I liked here. "Screen-Free Crafts Kids Will Love: Fun Activities that Inspire Creativity, Problem-Solving and Lifelong Learning" had much more activities I liked, though was still pretty sparse.

[Jenny GB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an awesome book! All the instructions seem easy, as promised. My favorite section was the small worlds chapter since it seemed so unique and creative. I can’t wait to try some things with my daughters and I hope they have fun!

[Danica Midlil · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOOOO Good!

[Jessica Nekuda · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty awesome ideas! options for budgets too

[Llbauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for under 6 crowd. Cute ideas. Some were very repetitive.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mini-world setups look fun--the penguins in ice, the dinosaurs with the erupting volcano. I was surprised that the book consisted almost entirely of recipes for slime/foam/play sand, etc.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well Organized

Nicely presented-but nothing new here...just about everything presented can be found on Pinterest. I was hoping for something unique and interesting.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are lots of fun ideas to do with your kids.

[Marlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really exciting and entertaining activities. All the kinds of things I wanted to do when I was a kind (and would rather do than be an adult).