Discover Books Blog | Screen-Free Parenting Tips & Activities

Helping families raise happy, curious children with screen-free activity ideas, book recommendations, parenting advice and early learning inspiration.
Your First Trick-or-Treat: A Parent’s Guide to Halloween Etiquette, Safety & Screen-Free Fun
Your First Trick-or-Treat: A Parent’s Guide to Halloween Etiquette, Safety & Screen-Free Fun
Thinking about taking your little one trick-or-treating for the first time? From knowing which houses to approach and teaching simple Halloween manners to keeping toddlers safe after dark, this guide... Read more...
Autumn Activities for Under 5s: Simple Screen-Free Fun for September & October
Autumn Activities for Under 5s: Simple Screen-Free Fun for September & October
From crunching through fallen leaves to searching for squirrels, autumn is packed with simple adventures for little ones. Discover 25 fun autumn activities for under 5s that get children outdoors,... Read more...
Christmas Stocking Fillers for Babies & Toddlers: Thoughtful Ideas for Under 5s
Christmas Stocking Fillers for Babies & Toddlers: Thoughtful Ideas for Under 5s
Looking for Christmas stocking fillers for babies and toddlers? Discover thoughtful ideas for children under 5, from small books and bath books to buggy books, reading lights, creative activities, practical... Read more...
What to Do When Your Child Says “I’m Bored”: Creating a Boredom Box
What to Do When Your Child Says “I’m Bored”: Creating a Boredom Box
When your child says “I’m bored”, it can be tempting to reach for a screen. But boredom doesn't always need to be solved. Discover how creating a simple boredom box... Read more...
Screen-Free Parenting: Why Giving Your Child a Job Can Help
Screen-Free Parenting: Why Giving Your Child a Job Can Help
When children say “I’m bored”, it’s tempting to reach for a screen. But sometimes they don’t need entertainment - they need to feel involved. Discover how giving children simple household... Read more...
Why Books Are So Powerful for Under 5s
Why Books Are So Powerful for Under 5s
Books are so much more than stories for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Discover how books can support language, brain development, fine motor skills, bonding and screen-free play - while turning... Read more...
Rainy Day Activities for Under 5s: Fun Ideas for Home & Days Out
Rainy Day Activities for Under 5s: Fun Ideas for Home & Days Out
Rainy days with little ones don't have to mean hours of screen time. From baking and messy play at home to swimming, libraries and soft play, here are simple rainy... Read more...
Beyond Bedtime Stories: A Magical Screen-Free Way to Explore the Night Sky with Young Children
Beyond Bedtime Stories: A Magical Screen-Free Way to Explore the Night Sky with Young Children
Looking for a simple screen-free activity that feels a little magical? Stay up a little later, head outside and explore the night sky with your children. From watching the sunset... Read more...
Swimming: The Perfect Screen-Free Family Day Out
Swimming: The Perfect Screen-Free Family Day Out
Looking for an affordable way to get the kids away from their screens? Swimming could be the perfect answer. We recently spent an afternoon at North Herts Leisure Centre in... Read more...
Affordable Outdoor Adventures for Kids This Summer
Affordable Outdoor Adventures for Kids This Summer
Halfway through the summer holidays and feeling the financial pressure? You don’t need expensive days out to keep the kids entertained. Discover simple, affordable ways to get outdoors, explore somewhere... Read more...
The Ultimate Screen-Free Travel Kit for Families
The Ultimate Screen-Free Travel Kit for Families
Travelling with children doesn't have to mean relying on tablets and phones. Discover simple, practical ways to keep little ones entertained with books, activities and screen-free fun wherever your summer... Read more...
Why Rotating Your Child's Toys and Books Can Make Playtime Feel Brand New
Why Rotating Your Child's Toys and Books Can Make Playtime Feel Brand New
Children don't always need new toys to stay engaged. Discover how rotating toys and books can reduce boredom, encourage independent play and help children rediscover forgotten favourites - all without... Read more...
The Benefits of Tummy Time: Why It's So Important for Your Baby's Development
The Benefits of Tummy Time: Why It's So Important for Your Baby's Development
Tummy time is one of the most important activities for your baby's early development. Learn when to start, how long to do it, and discover how sensory books can make... Read more...
The Simple Timer Trick That Helped Reduce My Children's Screen Time (Without Daily Battles)
The Simple Timer Trick That Helped Reduce My Children's Screen Time (Without Daily Battles)
A simple timer completely changed how we managed screen time in our home. Instead of daily arguments, my children learned exactly what to expect and even handed devices back happily... Read more...
Why Activity Books Are One of the Best Summer Holiday Essentials for Young Children
Why Activity Books Are One of the Best Summer Holiday Essentials for Young Children
Activity books do far more than keep children occupied during the summer holidays. Discover how they help develop concentration, fine motor skills, pencil control, early literacy and confidence while providing... Read more...
Our Favourite Screen-Free Summer Holiday Activities for Under 5s
Our Favourite Screen-Free Summer Holiday Activities for Under 5s
Looking for free and budget-friendly ways to keep little ones entertained this summer? As a single dad of four, these are some of our family's favourite screen-free activities that create... Read more...
Why I Took Away My Youngest Children's Tablets (And Why I Have No Plans to Go Back)
Why I Took Away My Youngest Children's Tablets (And Why I Have No Plans to Go Back)
I removed tablets and phones from my youngest children last year after seeing obsession, meltdowns and aggression around screens. Here's why I made the change, what happened next, and why... Read more...
Why Books Make the Perfect Gift for Under 5s
Why Books Make the Perfect Gift for Under 5s
Discover why books make thoughtful, affordable gifts for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, Christmas and new baby celebrations. Read more...
15 Screen-Free Activities for Toddlers That Parents Will Love
15 Screen-Free Activities for Toddlers That Parents Will Love
As a father of two young children, I've spent plenty of time looking for ways to keep toddlers entertained without relying on screens. Here are 15 simple, screen-free activities that... Read more...
Why Introducing Music Early Can Benefit Children for Life
Why Introducing Music Early Can Benefit Children for Life
Music can play an important role in a child’s development, helping to build confidence, creativity, language skills and concentration. Discover the benefits of introducing music early and how musical books... Read more...
Busy Books for Toddlers: Why Parents Love Them and Children Learn Through Them
Busy Books for Toddlers: Why Parents Love Them and Children Learn Through Them
Discover the benefits of busy books for toddlers. Learn how these engaging activity books support fine motor skills, problem-solving, concentration, sensory development and independent play while providing hours of screen-free... Read more...
What the Social Media Debate Teaches Us About Young Children’s Wellbeing
What the Social Media Debate Teaches Us About Young Children’s Wellbeing
As the debate around social media and children continues, explore how books, storytime and screen-free activities can help support confidence, wellbeing and healthy development in the early years. Read more...