Finding ways to keep little hands busy without reaching for a screen can sometimes feel like a challenge. Whether you’re looking for a quiet activity while you make dinner, something to take the place of TV on a rainy afternoon, or simply more ways to encourage creative play, having a few engaging screen-free toys and activities on hand can make all the difference.
One of our favourite ways to create a dedicated screen-free play space is with a magnet wall. Paired with fun magnetic accessories, it turns an otherwise empty wall into a space where kids can play, create, learn and explore.
And the best part? There isn’t really a “right” way to play.
What are screen-free toys?
Screen-free toys are simply toys and activities that don’t require a television, tablet, phone or other digital device to enjoy.
Think magnetic toys, puzzles, blocks, drawing, pretend play, books, building and open-ended activities that allow children to use their imagination.
For young children especially, play is an important way to explore their environment and develop movement, creativity and social skills. New Zealand’s Ministry of Health recommends regular active play for under-fives, including opportunities for children to explore, be creative and play independently as well as with others.
So, rather than thinking about screen-free play as another thing you need to organise, it can be as simple as creating a space where your child’s favourite toys are easy to access.
Create a screen-free activity wall
If you have a blank wall at home, why not turn it into something they can actually play with?
Our Smarty Pals Magnetic Wall Decal creates an interactive magnetic surface on your wall, giving kids a dedicated spot for all kinds of magnetic play.
Shop the Smarty Pals Magnet Wall NZ collection
It’s particularly lovely for playrooms and bedrooms, but you could also create a little activity area in a family room, hallway or anywhere you have a spare section of wall.
Instead of one toy that does one thing, a magnet wall can change with your child and with whatever they’re interested in that day.
Today it might be dinosaurs.
Tomorrow it might be letters.
Next week, they might be creating their own little world with magnetic characters.
That’s what makes it such a fun screen-free activity for kids.
Add magnetic toys for endless combinations
The magnet wall is just the beginning. Add a few magnetic activity sets and you’ve got a play space that can be changed and refreshed whenever you need it.
Magnetic letters for early learning
Our Alphabet Magnet Set is a simple way to introduce letters through play.
Kids can practise recognising letters, make their own words or simply arrange them however they like. For younger children, you don’t need to turn it into a formal learning activity either. Letting them explore the letters and become familiar with their shapes is play in itself.
Magnetic numbers
For little ones who love numbers, a Magnetic Number Set adds another layer of play to your magnet wall.
Count, sort, create simple sums or just arrange the numbers in different patterns. It’s an easy way to introduce early maths concepts without making it feel like “learning”.
Dinosaur magnet play
Have a dinosaur lover at home?
The Dino Discovery Magnet Set is made for imaginative play. Kids can create their own dinosaur scenes, move the characters around the wall and make up stories as they go.
This type of open-ended play is one of our favourites because there isn’t a finished product or set of instructions. The story can change every time they play.
Dress-up and pretend play
The Dress Me Up Magnet Set brings a little pretend play to the wall, with magnetic pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different characters and outfits.
It’s a great option for children who love making up stories, characters and little worlds of their own.
Little Chef magnetic play
For budding chefs, the Little Chef Magnet Set turns the magnet wall into a pretend kitchen.
Add the pieces to the wall, create your own combinations and let their imagination take over.
Pretend play like this can be as simple or elaborate as your child wants it to be.
Magnetic colour sorting
Our Magnetic Colour Sorting Jars are another way to bring a little learning into screen-free play.
Sorting activities can be particularly satisfying for little ones who love grouping things, matching colours and creating patterns.
And because everything lives on the magnet wall, there’s no need to set up a complicated activity every time.
Screen-free doesn’t have to mean complicated
One of the biggest things we’ve learnt about creating spaces for kids is that the activities they actually use don’t always need to be complicated.
Sometimes it’s as simple as putting a few favourite toys somewhere they can reach them.
A magnet wall gives you a dedicated space for that. You can rotate the accessories depending on your child’s age, interests or even the time of day.
Keep letters and numbers available when you want something a little more educational. Bring out dinosaurs or princess magnets when they’re in an imaginative-play mood. Add chalk crayons when they feel like drawing.
And when they’re finished, everything can go straight back onto the wall.
Why we love screen-free play
We’re not here to suggest that screens have no place in family life. Sometimes a favourite show is exactly what everyone needs.
But having screen-free toys and activities available makes it easier to offer children another option.
A dedicated play space can encourage them to:
- Get creative
- Use their imagination
- Practise early literacy and numeracy skills
- Explore colours, shapes and patterns
- Create their own stories
- Enjoy independent play
- Take a break from screens
- Play alongside siblings and friends
New Zealand’s current health survey data shows that around one in three children aged 6 months to 14 years met recreational screen-time guidelines in 2024/25. The Ministry of Health guidelines recommend no recreational screen time for children aged 6–23 months, less than one hour a day for children aged 2–4, and less than two hours for children aged 5–14.
Having engaging alternatives around the home can make those screen-free moments feel much easier.
Create your own screen-free play space
You don’t need a huge playroom or a house full of toys to create an engaging activity area.
Start with a blank wall, add a Smarty Pals magnetic wall, then choose a few accessories based on what your child loves.
Letters. Numbers. Dinosaurs. Princesses. Food. Colours. Drawing.
Let them mix it up, make a mess, tell stories and come up with their own ways to play.
Because sometimes the best toys are the ones that leave a little room for imagination.
Ready to create your own screen-free activity wall?