With summer approaching, we know the panic when it comes to keeping kids busy when they are out of school and making sure they don’t fall into the holiday slump. And in a world full of technology, we recognise how often we rely on screens to entertain them (and ourselves!).

At eatsleepdoodle, we're all about igniting our creativity and imagination, whilst making learning fun! We know that technology can both be beneficial and entertaining, but that it can be good to unplug where we can. So, in preparation for the holidays, we thought we would give you a helping hand and share some ideas for alternative screen-free fun!

Get your doodle on!

As avid doodlers, it will come as no surprise that the first screen free activity on our list is colouring! Not only does colouring stimulate creativity and enhance fine motor skills, but it also provides a safe space for self-expression.

Whether you are looking for a calming activity for kids to do when out of the house and on the go, a fun group activity to do together at home or you just want five minutes of peace - there are many different ways to entertain kids through colouring! For example, you could try colouring instead of a tablet when waiting for food at a restaurant or as a relaxing activity to wind down before bedtime.

Not ready to give up screens completely? Combine colouring with technology and colour in one of our fun and educational tablecloths together as a family, using our learning resource page to learn something new as you go!

Dive into a world of imagination…

Whether reading on your own or out loud as a group, a good story has the power to captivate all minds, so why not embark on a journey of imagination, adventure, and discovery through the pages of a good book!

If your kids are older, they may like to pick out their own book to read. Heading to your local library can be a great day out and gives kids the freedom to choose their own books, explore different genres and let their imaginations soar!  For younger children, reading together as a family is a wonderful way to bond and a powerful tool for nurturing creativity and literacy skills.

Struggling to pick a book to read together? Here are some suggestions from the eatsleepdoodle team!

Niki’s pick – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: ‘Such a magical book to read with kids of all ages to get their imaginations going, plus you can’t go wrong with a classic!

Jess’ pick – Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd: ‘This was my childhood favourite that my Mum would read to me all the time – it definitely started my obsession with dogs!’

Katie’s pick – We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen: ‘The perfect story for sitting down and reading together. I still quote it every time I go on a walk with my family!’

Ildiko’s pick – Superworm by Julia Donaldson: ‘The Gruffalo is such a fan favourite, but Superworm is another book by Julia Donaldson that is just so fun with beautiful illustrations that the whole family can enjoy!’

Alan’s pick: The Tale of Peter Rabbit™ by Beatrix Potter: ‘It’s a wonderful story for all ages. I love seeing my son enjoy something that has been around for generations!’

Bake up a storm!

Baking can be a great, fun activity to bring the whole family together. From cupcakes to cookies, brownies to biscuits, there are no limits to what you can mix up in the kitchen. Kids can take the lead as they measure ingredients, mix batter, and decorate their creations in any way they please - even little bakers can help and practice their skills of scooping, pouring, and getting creative with decorations!

And aside from being a perfect activity to teach children how to follow instructions, you also end up with a delicious sweet-treat to share at the end – a win-win! So, roll up your sleeves, don your aprons, and let the baking bonanza begin!

In need of kid-friendly baking recipes? Though we can’t guarantee mess-free… take a look at this article by BBC Good Food full of tasty treat inspiration!

Green thumbs unite!

A great way to unplug is to step into the great outdoors and get your hands dirty! Whether you have a sprawling garden or just a few pots on the balcony, gardening is a fantastic way to connect with nature and teach your kids about science, where their food comes from and wildlife. From planting seeds, to watering plants and watching them grow, gardening is a hands-on adventure that nurtures children’s natural curiosity.

And not only does gardening teach responsibility and patience, but it also fosters a deeper appreciation for the environment and the importance of sustainability. So grab your trowels, put on your gardening gloves and let the green thumbs unite!

Take a look at our previous blog where we shared some of our top easy seeds for kids to grow!
Don’t have any outdoor space? Bring the outdoors in! Seeds like cress and herbs can be grown easily on a sunny windowsill. Take a look at this tutorial for growing cress in an eggshell!

Game on with your family favourite board games…

Board games are for life, not just for Christmas! Why not dust off your collection and enjoy some good-spirited competition. From timeless classics like Monopoly and Scrabble to family favourites like Snakes and Ladders or Twister, board games are the perfect way to switch off, unwind, and enjoy quality time together as a family.

So, make space on the table, gather around, and let the games begin! Not only are board games loads of fun, but they also teach valuable life lessons like strategy, critical thinking, and teamwork. Plus, there's nothing quite like the thrill of victory (if you happen to win!) so roll the dice, draw those cards, and may the best player win!

And if you’re undecided on what to play, here are some recommendations from the eatsleepdoodle team!

Niki’s fave – Monopoly: ‘You can’t go wrong with a game of Monopoly. The original version is our family favourite, but there are lots of fun variations out there to choose from too!’

Jess’ fave – Uno Flip: ‘If you like Uno, you’ll love Uno Flip. It’s lots of fun like the original, but with an extra twist!’

Katie’s fave – Herd Mentality: ‘I love all the games from Big Potato, but Herd Mentality is a solid favourite. It’s simple but so much fun and can be enjoyed by all ages – plus, you get to moo at each other which is always a bonus!’

Ildiko’s fave – Bananagrams: ‘If you enjoy playing word games like scrabble, you’ll love this one. It’s great for on-the-go too!’

Alan’s fave – Magna Tiles: ‘They aren’t exactly a board game, but my son loves playing with them and so do I. Sometimes, I’m not sure if I’m watching him play or vice versa!’

Our top picks:

Feeling like some colouring this summer? Here’s our favourite eatsleepdoodle products for all occasions!

🇪🇺 world flags tablecloth – perfect to colour in together during rainy days at home and colour any of the places you’ve visited!

🗺️ world map backpack – the ideal colour in companion for summer adventures whether heading out for the day, just colouring at home, or wanting to keep their brains ticking over with some world map fun facts!

🥕 garden, grow, eat placemat to go – for mealtime doodling, mess-free playtime or keeping little hands busy wherever your holiday may take you…

🌈 artist set of 20 wash-out pens – for extra colour in doodle fun, this nifty box is the perfect holiday companion!

 

Thanks for joining us as we shared some of our top screen-free activities and we hope we’ve given you some inspiration to switch-off this summer. So, whether you’ll be heading into the garden, hunkering down with a good book or bundling into the car for a week away, we hope you enjoy exciting (and sunny!!) holidays.

Don’t forget you can get in touch with us on social media and share your adventures and colouring creations by using #eatsleepdoodle – we always love to see what you’re up to! You can also tag us on Instagram (@eatsleepdoodle_), Facebook (@eatsleepdoodlehq) and TikTok (@eatsleepdoodle_).