As our remote team steps into summer, juggling work, travel, and kids can feel overwhelming. Screens buy you a moment of quiet, a little peace, and time to finish that work project or email.

We get it. We’re living it too.

But what starts as a break can quickly turn into a habit, and before you know it, summer slips away behind a glowing triangle.

Kids might be ready to crash, binge, scroll, and disappear into the digital world—and many parents are gearing up for the tech-free battles ahead. If you’re hearing “I’m bored” or watching the zombie scroll set in, it’s time to shake things up.

Here’s the truth:

Too much screen time turns curious, creative kids into cranky, passive spectators. It messes with sleep, attention, and mood. And while the easy button is a quick fix, easy doesn’t build memories. Real life does.

So we put together a list to help you. Parents, grandparents, the whole crew—kick off a tech-free summer.

SLNT Screen-Free Summer for Every Age Group

Toddlers 1–4: Tiny hands, big exploration

Forget passive YouTube loops—this age wants movement, mess, and magic.

• Backyard treasure hunt (yes, hide your keys if you’re feeling wild)
• Water play with pots, buckets, and ice cubes
• Touch-and-feel nature walk (collect sticks, rocks, weird leaves)
• Bubble storm. Crank it. Add music.
• Sidewalk chalk murals that cover more than the sidewalk

Ages 5–7: Built for wonder

These kids still believe in magic. Feed it.

• DIY obstacle course (ropes, chairs, sprinklers—go nuts)
• Build a “spy fort” or secret base
• Freeze small toys in ice and give them tools to “rescue” them
• Leaf and bark rubbings—turn them into “ancient scrolls”
• Make paper airplanes and run competitions by flight distance

Ages 8–10: Makers in the making

They want challenge, not babysitting. Give them tools, a mission—and some freedom.

• Let them plan and cook a meal (with you, not for you)
• Yard “business” (lemonade, crafts, rock pets—let them sell something)
• Write your own riddles and create a neighborhood scavenger hunt
• Build a birdhouse or bug hotel
• Make a time capsule to open next summer

Ages 11–12: Too cool? Prove them wrong.

This group is just about to slide into teen mode. Keep it real.

• Design a riddle-based scavenger hunt for younger kids (or your parents)
• Create a backyard mini-movie (they can write, direct, act)
• Host a no-phones-allowed night with friends: s'mores, flashlight tag, music
• Learn a survival skill together—fire starting, knot tying, map reading
• Give them a budget and let them plan a family activity

Ages 13–16: The phone might as well be glued to their hand

Don’t fight it—outsmart it. Offer better dopamine.

• Road trip with rules: no screens unless for music or maps
• Host a “no-scroll challenge” with a reward they actually want
• Train for something hard,a 5K, a hike, a fitness goal—then go crush it
• Build something with your hands—bench, bookshelf, skateboard ramp
• Join a local cause or help teach younger kids something they’ve mastered

These are just a handful of the ideas our team came up with—and honestly, we barely scratched the surface. The goal isn’t to jam-pack your summer with Pinterest-perfect moments. It’s to break the screen trance, stir up curiosity, and give your kids the kind of memories they won’t find in an app.

So print the list, add your own spin, and let the chaos, creativity, and connection unfold.

And when all else fails, toss their devices into a SLNT® Faraday bag. No signal. No notifications. Problem solved.