SCREEN TIME IS RUINING OUR CHILDREN!!!! Or at least that’s what my explore page has been telling me for the past five years. And whilst I do love to pop on a Disney movie and belt out the tunes with my kids (kinda bummed no one asked me to audition for a Disney princess role), I do agree that we need to be intentional about their exposure. That’s not to say I judge anyone for anything. Seriously. Do whatever you gotta do to survive, and if that includes a bit of extra TV, go off. That being said, I’d love to offer a few alternatives that are actually fun for grownups, and have helped us significantly cut back on screen time. 

1. Blokus — A colorful strategy game where players have to fit Tetris-like pieces onto the board without overlapping. This is the one I shared on my IG story that got a lot of interest. Yes I let him win. Sue me.

Skills: Spatial reasoning, strategic thinking, and planning ahead.

2. Outfoxed — A cooperative whodunnit where kids work together to solve the mystery of who stole the pot pie. Very few sibling arguments since everyone is on the same team. This might be my fave. 

Skills: Deductive reasoning, teamwork, and logic.

3. Magnetic Chess Set — A classic game that teaches patience and sharp thinking. Obviously you have to teach your kids the rules of chess first (I outsourced this because I have low skill and even lower patience) but it’s so fun once they learn. Great for travel.

Skills: Critical thinking, planning, pattern recognition, and sportsmanship.

4. Go Fish — A classic card game that’s perfect for young kids who are learning how to take turns and match. Brings you right back to your childhood. 

Skills: Memory, number/pattern recognition, and social skills.

5. Rat-a-Tat Cat — Another fun card game that mixes strategy with memory. This one is better for when they’re a little older, otherwise you’ll be giving a lot of hints. 

Skills: Memory, simple math, and strategy.

6. Outset Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt — This kit offers creative prompts to get kids moving and thinking both inside and outside. Another great one for travel. You can also leave them to their own devices with this!

Skills: Observation, focus, and physical activity

7. Fairy Snap/Farm Snap — A whimsical twist on the classic snap game, featuring fairies and magical creatures. The Farm-themed version helps little ones learn animal names.

Skills: Quick reactions, visual recognition, vocabulary, and turn-taking.

8. Monopoly Junior — A simplified version of the classic game with kid-friendly properties and faster play. We LOVE this one and have spent so many hours playing. Another nostalgia moment.

Skills: Counting, money management, and decision-making.

9. Dinosaur Bingo — A twist on traditional bingo with kid-favorite dinos instead of numbers. And all kids love dinosaurs. Prove me wrong. 

Skills: Listening, matching, and dino knowledge. 

10. Firefighter Floor Puzzle — A giant puzzle featuring a bold firefighter scene great for little hands. Sometimes we make this a fun competition. "If you complete the puzzle in 15 mins you'll get a popsicle" etc. 

Skills: Fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and cooperative play.

11. Unicorn Floor Puzzle by Dan and Darci — This large-piece unicorn puzzle is actually a little harder as it’s an unusual shape, but it’s excellent if you want to encourage teamwork. My unicorn obsessed four-year-old is a huge fan.

Skills: Visual-spatial skills, persistence, and problem-solving.

...now if only I knew how to get them to stop cheating! C x