At a Glance
The easiest ways to get kids off screens and out of the house are activities that feel fun, flexible, and easy to say yes to. Parents do not need to plan an elaborate outing. A walk, library visit, playground trip, family meal, arcade stop, or other simple activity can give kids a break from devices while creating more opportunities to move, play, and spend time together.
- Keep activities simple and low-pressure
- Give kids a few choices instead of planning everything for them
- Look for activities that include movement or hands-on play
- Choose outings that work for different ages
- Combine food and entertainment when you want to simplify the plan
- Keep the outing short if schedules are busy
- Focus on replacing screen time with something enjoyable, not simply removing the screen
Getting Kids Off Screens Does Not Have to Be a Battle
Screens are part of everyday life.
Kids use them for entertainment, schoolwork, communication, games, and just about everything in between. The challenge for parents is not necessarily eliminating screen time. It is making sure screens do not become the only way kids spend their free time.
That is where simple outings can help.
Getting out of the house gives kids something else to focus on. They can move, explore, interact with other people, and enjoy experiences that do not revolve around a phone, tablet, television, or game console.
And it does not need to require a full day, an expensive activity, or weeks of planning.
Sometimes an hour or two somewhere fun is enough to reset the day.
Start by Offering a Few Choices
One easy way to reduce resistance is to give kids some control over the plan.
Instead of saying:
“We are turning everything off and going somewhere.”
Try offering a few options:
- Go to the park
- Visit the library
- Grab pizza and play arcade games
- Take a walk and get a treat
- Go somewhere to play a game together
Giving kids two or three choices can make the outing feel less like something being taken away from them and more like something they are helping choose.
The options do not need to be complicated. The goal is simply to create a better alternative to sitting at home with a screen.
Choose Activities That Include Movement
One of the biggest advantages of getting out of the house is that kids naturally tend to move more.
That does not mean every outing needs to involve organized exercise.
Movement can come from:
- Walking around a park
- Playing on a playground
- Bowling
- Roller skating
- Exploring a museum
- Playing arcade games
- Walking through a zoo
- Riding bikes
- Playing mini golf
Activities that involve movement can be especially helpful after school or on weekends when kids have already spent a lot of time sitting.
For younger children, simply having space to move around can make the outing feel more engaging.
Make It Social
Screens often provide entertainment, but they do not always create the same kind of interaction as doing something with another person.
Shared activities can give kids opportunities to:
- Talk
- Laugh
- Compete
- Cooperate
- Try something new
- Celebrate small wins
- Spend time with siblings or friends
That social element is one reason activities such as board games, bowling, arcade games, sports, or family outings can be so effective.
The activity itself gives everyone something to talk about without forcing conversation.
Visit the Library
Libraries can be one of the easiest low-cost ways to get kids out of the house.
Depending on the location, families may find:
- Books
- Story times
- Craft activities
- Homework resources
- Children’s play areas
- Clubs
- Seasonal programs
- Educational events
A library outing works especially well when parents want something quieter or more structured.
Let kids choose their own books or explore a section they are interested in. That sense of independence can make the visit feel more like their activity than an assignment.
Go Outside When the Weather Cooperates
Outdoor activities can be some of the simplest screen-free options.
Families might:
- Walk around the neighborhood
- Visit a playground
- Ride bikes
- Toss a ball
- Walk a dog
- Go on a short nature walk
- Visit a local park
The goal does not need to be exercise for its own sake.
Even a short, change of scenery can break the pattern of automatically reaching for a device whenever there is free time.
Of course, weather does not always cooperate. When it is too hot, cold, rainy, or otherwise uncomfortable outside, indoor activities can provide the same change of pace.
Turn Errands Into Time Together
Not every outing needs to be a special event.
Even regular errands can become an opportunity for kids to participate instead of staying home with a screen.
You might:
- Let them help choose groceries
- Ask them to find items in the store
- Stop somewhere for a snack afterward
- Let them help plan dinner
- Combine errands with a short fun activity
This approach can work especially well on busy days when there is not enough time for a separate outing.
The key is making the child feel involved instead of simply brought along.
Find an Indoor Activity With Built-In Entertainment
Sometimes parents need an outing that does not require them to create the entertainment.
Indoor destinations can include:
- Bowling alleys
- Children’s museums
- Recreation centers
- Indoor playgrounds
- Trampoline parks
- Roller-skating rinks
- Arcades
- Family entertainment restaurants
These types of places can be useful because the activity is already there when you arrive.
A dine-in visit to Peter Piper Pizza, for example, combines hand-crafted pizza with arcade games, points, prizes, and a family-friendly place to spend time together.
Kids can play while parents enjoy the meal or join in on the fun, making it an easy way to get everyone out of the house without planning separate food and entertainment.
Combine Dinner and an Activity
One reason family outings can feel difficult is that they sometimes involve several separate plans.
You may need to decide:
- Where to eat
- What activity to do
- How long each stop will take
- Whether everyone will still have energy afterward
Combining food and entertainment can make the outing easier.
At Peter Piper Pizza, families can enjoy hand-crafted pizzas made with dough made-from-scratch and fresh toppings, then spend time in the arcade playing games and earning points for prizes.
That means dinner and play happen in the same place.
For busy families, reducing one stop can make the difference between going out and deciding it feels like too much work.
Keep the Outing Short
Getting kids out of the house does not require dedicating an entire afternoon.
A short outing can still feel worthwhile.
For example:
- Play a few arcade games after dinner
- Take a 30-minute walk
- Visit the library for an hour
- Go out for dessert
- Spend an hour at the park
- Play one round of bowling
Short activities can be especially useful during school nights or busy weekends.
When outings feel easy to fit into the schedule, families may be more likely to do them regularly.
Invite a Friend
Sometimes the easiest way to make an activity more appealing is to include someone else.
Kids may be more excited about:
- Going to the arcade
- Visiting the park
- Bowling
- Riding bikes
- Playing a game
- Going out for pizza
when a friend comes along.
This can also give parents an opportunity to connect with other families while the kids entertain one another.
The plan does not need to become a formal playdate. Sometimes a simple “Want to meet us there?” is enough.
Create a Regular Family Outing
A recurring activity can make getting out of the house easier because nobody has to invent a new plan every time.
A family routine might include:
- Friday pizza night
- Saturday morning walks
- Sunday afternoon games
- A monthly library trip
- A weekly family outing
- A regular arcade night
Consistency can also reduce arguments because kids know what to expect.
Instead of asking, “What should we do today?” the family already has a familiar activity built into the schedule.
Let Kids Earn the Right Kind of Screen Break
Rather than treating screens as the enemy, parents can simply build natural pauses into the day.
For example:
- Finish homework, then go play
- Spend an hour outside before gaming
- Go out for dinner before movie night
- Play together before everyone returns to their own activities
This creates balance rather than making the day feel like a constant negotiation over devices.
The goal is not necessarily less screen time at all costs. It is more variety in how kids spend their free time.
Join the Activity
One of the easiest ways to make an outing more memorable is for parents to participate too.
That might mean:
- Playing an arcade game together
- Racing in a driving game
- Joining a board game
- Shooting baskets
- Walking together
- Trying something new as a family
Kids may be more interested in an activity when it feels like something everyone is doing, rather than something adults arranged to keep them busy.
At a place like Peter Piper Pizza, parents can join a game, compete for a high score, or simply spend time together over pizza between rounds.
Avoid Turning Screen-Free Time Into Another Assignment
The fastest way to make an activity less appealing is to make it feel like work.
Not every screen-free outing needs to be educational, productive, or developmental.
Sometimes kids simply need to:
- Have fun
- Be silly
- Play
- Laugh
- Move around
- Spend time with people they like
Those moments have value on their own.
If the alternative to a screen feels enjoyable, kids may be more willing to put the device down without a fight.
Best For…
Easy screen-free activities work especially well for:
- After-school afternoons
- Weekends at home
- School breaks
- Families with kids of different ages
- Parents looking for low-effort outings
- Kids who need more active play
- Families trying to spend more time together
- Days when everyone is getting tired of the same routine
The best option is usually the one that feels easy enough to actually do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my child off screens without an argument?
Offer an appealing alternative rather than simply removing the device. Give kids a few choices, keep the activity low-pressure, and choose something they already enjoy.
What are some easy screen-free activities for kids?
Try a walk, playground visit, library trip, board game, craft, bowling, arcade outing, bike ride, or family meal somewhere with built-in entertainment.
What are good indoor activities that do not involve screens?
Crafts, board games, cooking, scavenger hunts, bowling, indoor play spaces, and arcade games that involve movement and social interaction can all provide alternatives to passive screen time.
How much screen-free time should kids have?
There is no single routine that works for every family. Instead of focusing only on a specific number of minutes, consider whether children are also getting enough sleep, movement, schoolwork, social interaction, family time, and other activities.
What can families do after school besides watch TV or play video games?
Families can visit a park or library, play a game, take a walk, go out for pizza, visit an arcade, cook together, or choose another short activity that gives kids a chance to reset after school.
Is Peter Piper Pizza a good screen-free family activity?
A dine-in visit can give families a break from passive screen time by combining a meal with interactive arcade games, points, prizes, movement, and time together.
Ready to Get Out of the House?
Getting kids away from screens does not have to mean planning a major adventure. Sometimes the easiest solution is simply giving them something more interesting to do.
A dine-in visit to Peter Piper Pizza gives families a place to enjoy hand-crafted pizza, play arcade games, earn points, choose prizes, and spend time together in one stop. It can be an easy option for an after-school outing, family night, weekend activity, or any day when everyone could use a change of scenery.
You can find a Peter Piper Pizza location near you and explore menu options.
