17 Screen Free Activities For Bored Teenagers

Looking for engaging screen-free activities to keep your bored teenager entertained? We’ve got you covered! In a world dominated by screens, it’s important to provide teenagers with alternative activities that stimulate their minds, encourage creativity, and promote healthy habits.

In today’s digital era, where screens have become an integral part of our daily lives, it is increasingly important to strike a balance and embrace activities that focus on personal growth, physical activity, and social interaction – yes I know that can include gaming. As parents, we understand the challenges of engaging teenagers in meaningful pursuits beyond the virtual realm. Screen addiction is a real and increasing issue impacting everything from family dynamics to mental health.

As a parent, my greatest regret is buying my eldest a phone. Given my time over I would do it differently but the pressure is intense on them and you! Recognising this need, we have curated a comprehensive list of 17 screen-free activities designed to stimulate the minds and bodies of bored adolescents. These activities not only provide a respite from the digital world but also offer opportunities for personal development, creative expression, and the cultivation of essential life skills.

17 Screen Free Activities To Engage Screen Addicted Teenagers.

1. Mystery Room Escape Challenge: Recreate the thrilling experience of an escape room at home. Designate a room or area and fill it with puzzles, codes, and clues that need to be solved within a time limit to “escape.” This activity encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills in an immersive and engaging way.
2. Backyard Film Festival: Set up a makeshift outdoor cinema in your backyard or park. Have your teenagers write, direct, and star in their own short films using simple props and costumes. Once the films are complete, host a screening night complete with homemade movie snacks and critiques
3. Paint a room or a piece of furniture in your house. Choose a colour that matches your personality and give your space a fresh look. Painting can be relaxing and rewarding, and you can even invite a friend or family member to help you out.
4. DIY Spa Day: Create homemade face masks, indulge in a bubble bath, and give each other relaxing massages. Pamper yourselves without breaking the bank.
5. Neighbourhood Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of quirky items or landmarks in your area, form teams, and see who can find them all first. Explore your surroundings in a fun, competitive way.
6. Learn to cook something you’ve never tried before. Ask your parents, grandparents, or friends for recipes or tips, or find inspiration online. Cooking is a useful and enjoyable skill that can also impress others. You can invite someone to join you for a meal or share your food with others.
7. Read a book you’ve never read before or revisit a favourite. Reading allows you to escape reality and immerse yourself in another world. It helps you learn new things, expand your vocabulary, and improve your comprehension skills. Reading is also beneficial for your brain and mental health.
8. Play board games with your family or friends. Board games are entertaining and provide an opportunity to spend quality time and engage in friendly competition. Choose from classic games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, or Clue, or try new ones like Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, or Codenames. Board games can challenge your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
9. Engage in physical activities like riding a bike, skateboard, scooter, or rollerblades. Riding is a fun and exciting way to explore your local area and get some exercise. Find trails, parks, or ramps to ride on and practice tricks or stunts. Riding is beneficial for your physical health and mood.
10. Make slime using glue, borax, water, food colouring, glitter, or other ingredients you like. Slime is a gooey and stretchy substance that provides hours of entertainment, allowing you to create different shapes and sounds. It’s easy and inexpensive to make at home.
11. Explore the art of origami using paper, scissors, glue, markers, or any other tools you need. Origami involves folding paper into various shapes and figures, such as animals, flowers, stars, or boxes. It’s a fun and creative hobby that improves your fine motor skills and concentration.
12. Visit a friend or invite them over to hang out. Socialising with a friend who shares your interests and hobbies is a great way to have fun. You can engage in the activities mentioned above together or come up with new ideas. Spending time with friends is beneficial for your emotional health and well-being.
13. Play games like darts, ping pong, air hockey, or any other game that involves hitting or throwing something. These games test your accuracy and coordination skills while providing friendly competition. You can set rules or challenges to make the games more interesting.
14. Have a Nerf gun war with your family or friends. Nerf guns are safe and harmless toy guns that shoot foam darts or balls. Engage in a thrilling battle to see who can hit the most targets or avoid getting hit the most. Set up obstacles or hideouts to make the war more realistic or challenging.
15. Try to fix something broken in your house. It could be a toy, gadget, piece of furniture, or anything else that needs repair. Use tools, glue, tape, or any materials you think might help. Fixing something broken can be satisfying and rewarding, and you can learn handy skills along the way.
16. Cuddle with or play with a pet. If you have a pet at home, spend time showing them love and affection. Play with them, teach them tricks, or take them for a walk. If you don’t have a pet, ask a neighbour or friend if you can spend time with them or visit a local animal shelter or pet store. You can even get an emotional support dog for this. Pets are cute, and adorable, and can improve your happiness and reduce stress.
17. Play with your siblings. If your teenager has brothers or sisters at home, engage in activities together. You can participate in the activities mentioned above or come up with your own ideas. Help them with their homework, teach them a new skill, or have a friendly competition. Bonding with siblings strengthens your relationship and creates lasting memories. We wrote a whole post on activities for siblings with an age gap.

How Can I Encourage My Teenager to Participate in Screen-Free Activities?

Encouraging your teenager to step away from screens and take part in screen-free activities can feel like a challenge, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach. By helping them discover interests outside of phones, tablets, and gaming, you not only reduce screen time, but also support their emotional wellbeing, creativity, and independence.

Below are practical, neurodiversity-aware strategies to help your teen engage with the real world on their terms.

1. Lead by Example with Screen-Free Time

Teenagers pay attention to what adults do, even when it seems like they’re not. If you’re constantly scrolling, it’s harder to convince them to put their phone down. Start by building your own screen-free habits and talk about them openly. Show how you unwind without a screen—whether that’s cooking, sketching, hiking, or building something with your hands. Nothing else is worth doing unless you do this.

Tip: Make screen-free time a shared experience, not a punishment. Say “Let’s do this together,” instead of “Put your phone away.”

2. Align Activities with Their Interests

For screen-free activities to stick, they need to feel relevant. Ask your teenager what they enjoy, and build from there.

• If they’re sporty, suggest outdoor games, local climbing walls, or weekend football matches.
• If they’re creative, offer art supplies, a photography walk, or a space to write and draw.
• If they’re curious, consider science kits, baking challenges, or nature-based exploration.

Helping your teen pursue real-world versions of their digital interests can also work. For example, a child who enjoys strategy games might enjoy board games, escape rooms, or puzzle-solving scavenger hunts.

3. Offer Meaningful Incentives

While long-term motivation should ideally come from within, short-term rewards can help bridge the gap. Offer choices rather than bribes.

You could say:

• “Try one screen-free day a week, then we’ll plan your favourite dinner together.”
• “Complete this week’s challenge, and we’ll go on a trip of your choice.”

The key is not to make it transactional, but supportive. Incentives can show that you value their effort while building a habit of balance.

4. Make It Social and Teen-Friendly

Many teenagers crave connection—so use that to your advantage. Screen-free activities don’t have to be solitary or family-only.

Ideas that work well with peers:

• Host a board game night or craft party
• Plan a park picnic or garden pizza night
• Organise a neighbourhood charity event or litter pick
• Invite a friend to join them at a class or sports trial

Search-friendly tip: Parents often search for social screen-free activities for teens—so including group-friendly options can make your content more visible and relevant.

5. Let Them Take the Lead

Giving your teenager a say increases their sense of autonomy and buy-in. Ask them directly:
“What would you try if you didn’t have your phone for a day?”

Be open to their suggestions, even if they sound odd at first. Trying something unconventional may lead to new passions or at least open up a conversation. Respect their pace, and don’t insist on your definition of success.

The goal is not to control their time but to co-create moments of interest, connection, and joy.

6. Build a Routine Around Low-Stress Transitions

For some teens, especially those who are neurodivergent, switching off a screen can feel abrupt and jarring. Rather than framing screen-free time as a break or restriction, anchor it within a predictable routine.

Try:

• Morning walks before any device use
• Creative or movement-based tasks after meals
• Tech-free hour before bedtime with a shared audiobook or gentle hobby

Routines reduce friction, especially when transitions are predictable and not framed as punishments.

7. Celebrate Small Wins

Don’t underestimate the value of consistency, even in small doses. If your teen joins one screen-free activity per week, that’s a win. Celebrate effort, not outcomes.

Comment on the positives:

• “You seemed more relaxed after that walk.”
• “I liked seeing you help with the cooking tonight.”
• “That sketch is brilliant—you’ve got a real eye for colour.”

Positive reinforcement reinforces that screen-free activities aren’t chores—they’re choices that feel good.

Encouraging Screen-Free Time: What Matters Most

Your teenager doesn’t need a packed schedule of “wholesome” offline activities to thrive. They just need variety, voice, and a sense of control. Reducing screen time isn’t about removing something they enjoy it’s about making space for other experiences too. With patience, curiosity, and flexibility, you can help them build a screen-free routine that feels empowering, not imposed.