Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. From online learning to keeping in touch with family, technology is part of daily life. But while screens are useful, children also need opportunities to learn, play, and connect away from them.
That’s where games come in. Fun, interactive, and developmentally rich, games give children the chance to practise essential skills while enjoying themselves.
Screen-free games do more than keep kids busy — they support growth in so many areas:
With the right games, children develop skills that last a lifetime — all without a screen in sight.
Here are six of our Starfish favourites for screen-free fun across a range of ages:
Pass the Bomb is a high-energy word game that gets players thinking fast under pressure. As the ticking bomb is passed around the table, each player must quickly come up with a word that fits the category.
Why it’s great:
It’s a brilliant way to combine fun with literacy practice — and the suspense of the ticking timer guarantees plenty of giggles.
This award-winning balancing game has kids carefully removing hay bales, wagon wheels, and cheeky chickens from a rocking perch without toppling the whole thing. It looks simple — until you realise how much strategy and patience is involved.
Why it’s great:
Chickyboom is fantastic for early learners, but older kids (and even adults) can’t resist the challenge either.
Connetix Tiles take building to the next level with colourful, translucent magnetic tiles that snap together for endless creations. From simple towers to intricate castles, the only limit is imagination.
Why it’s great:
Because all sets are compatible, kids can keep adding pieces over time, making this one of the most versatile and long-lasting play resources.
Coggy is a bendable chain of connected gears that players twist and snap into place to solve challenge cards. It starts easy but quickly builds into brain-bending fun.
Why it’s great:
It’s portable, silent, and highly addictive — an ideal alternative to screens when you’re out and about or during downtime at home.
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, Monkey Around is a movement-based game that gets little ones hopping, hugging, and high-fiving. Each card prompts a playful action that children complete with a partner, encouraging connection as well as movement.
Why it’s great:
It’s proof that sometimes the simplest games create the most joy.
This vibrant game challenges players to stack fruit high on a wobbly stand — without sending it all crashing down. It looks easy at first, but it requires careful planning and patience.
Why it’s great:
Avalanche Fruit Stand is perfect for kids who need both a physical and mental challenge wrapped up in a colourful, engaging game.
Avoiding screens altogether isn’t realistic — but finding balance is. Screen-free games like these make it easy (and fun!) to help kids build essential skills while spending quality time together.
Once you see how much they enjoy them, you might find the iPad gets left behind more often.
The Starfish Team.
40 Proprioceptive activities for the classroom. Simple and practical activities to incorporate Proprioceptive into the classroom. 16 A4 sheets to print for your classroom, therapy space or home.