Escape the screen scene: hands-on fun for teens and tweens

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In today’s digital world, finding meaningful ways to engage with our teens and tweens is more important than ever. Our collection of screen-free activities for families offers creative, fun, and educational ways to spend time together away from the glow of gadgets. From crafting homemade soaps to exploring the outdoors, these activities provide valuable skills and lasting memories for the whole family.

Four mason jars filled with white homemade emergency candles.
Escape the Screen Scene: Hands-On Fun for Teens and Tweens. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Winter Foraging

Dried rosehips, cranberries, and wildflowers on a tray.
Winter Foraging. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Engage teens and tweens in winter foraging to draw them away from screens and into the natural world. This activity boosts their exploration skills and teaches them to identify edible plants and understand ecosystems. As they navigate the wilderness and breathe in the crisp air, they create lasting memories and learn about sustainability. This hands-on experience fosters physical activity and cultivates a profound appreciation for the environment.
Read the Article: Winter Foraging

Strawberry White Chocolate Cocoa Bombs

A person holding a Strawberry White Chocolate Cocoa Bomb with sprinkles on it.
Strawberry White Chocolate Cocoa Bombs. Photo credit: Thrive at Home.

Get teens and tweens excited about screen-free time by introducing them to making Strawberry White Chocolate Cocoa Bombs. They’ll enjoy the creative and hands-on process of melting chocolate and assembling the bombs. Working alongside family members teaches them patience and precision, and they eagerly anticipate their homemade treats’ warm, bursting flavors. It’s a delightful way to bond and savor the results of their teamwork.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry White Chocolate Cocoa Bombs

Homemade Toothpaste

A jar of homemade toothpaste and a wooden spoon on a wooden table.
Homemade Toothpaste. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Get the whole family involved in making Homemade Toothpaste. This simple activity demonstrates the importance of oral hygiene while allowing them to customize their toothpaste. They’ll understand what goes into their products and enjoy a sense of accomplishment using something they’ve made. It’s a quick, educational project that turns everyday routines into fun, family experiences.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Toothpaste

Emergency Candles

Four mason jars filled with white homemade emergency candles.
Emergency Candles. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Involve your family in making Emergency Candles as a practical and enlightening project. This activity teaches important safety skills and the science of candle making. They’ll focus and engage as they prepare candles for emergency use, understanding the significance of being prepared. It’s a unique, valuable skill set that combines responsibility with hands-on crafting.
Get the Recipe: Emergency Candles

Beeswax Wraps

A wire basket filled with beeswax wraps.
Beeswax Wraps. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Engage your teens and tweens in making Beeswax Wraps, a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap. They’ll enjoy choosing fabrics, melting beeswax, and seeing the wraps take shape. This eco-friendly project educates them on environmental issues and provides a useful, reusable item for the home. It’s a great way to foster environmental consciousness and creativity in a fun, practical way.
Get the Recipe: Beeswax Wraps

Homemade Geranium Rosemary Soap

Geranium Rosemary Soap.
Homemade Geranium Rosemary Soap. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Involve your family in crafting Homemade Geranium Rosemary Soap to steer teens and tweens away from screens and towards a productive, creative endeavor. This activity teaches them the basics of soap making and instills a sense of accomplishment as they create something both beautiful and useful. Mixing geranium and rosemary, they’ll engage their senses and foster calm, promoting peaceful togetherness.
Get the Tutorial: Homemade Geranium Rosemary Soap

Homemade Gardener’s Soap with Coffee and Vanilla

Gardener's soap made with coffee grounds and beeswax.
Homemade Gardener’s Soap with Coffee and Vanilla. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Get your teens and tweens involved in making Homemade Gardeners Soap with coffee and vanilla for a unique and enjoyable screen-free activity. This hands-on project not only teaches them the craft of soap making but also incorporates the natural scrubbing benefits of coffee and the soothing scent of vanilla. As they mix, mold, and customize their soaps, they’ll enjoy a creative break from screens and take pride in creating a useful product for home gardening tasks. It’s a perfect way to blend practical skills with sensory enjoyment, encouraging a love for both crafting and gardening.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Gardener’s Soap with Coffee and Vanilla

Learn a Self-Reliance Skill

Two girls looking at a lake.
Learn a Self-Reliance Skill. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Teach teens and tweens self-reliance skills to pull them away from screens and into more productive activities. Learning basic carpentry, sewing, or gardening skills empowers them and builds confidence. They’ll take pride in their newfound abilities and enjoy the practical, hands-on experience. These activities provide valuable bonding time and a break from digital life, setting them up for lifelong learning.
Read the Article: Learn a Self-Reliance Skill

Orange Cinnamon Lip Balm

Harvest cider beeswax lip balm.
Orange Cinnamon Lip Balm. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Involve your kids in making Orange Cinnamon Lip Balm to introduce them to the joys of homemade cosmetics. This fun, aromatic project keeps their hands busy and minds engaged as they mix natural ingredients. They’ll love the sweet, spicy scent and the satisfaction of using a lip balm they made themselves. It’s a delightful way to encourage creativity and spend quality, screen-free time together.
Get the Recipe: Orange Cinnamon Lip Balm

Pressed Wildflower Bookmarks

A bunch of dried purple flowers on a piece of paper.
Pressed Wildflower Bookmarks. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Create Pressed Wildflower Bookmarks with your teens and tweens for a creative and soothing activity. Gathering and pressing wildflowers gets them outdoors and interacting with nature, away from screens. They develop an eye for design and patience as they arrange their flowers and craft the bookmarks. This project is a great way to bond and leaves them with a beautiful, handmade keepsake.
Learn How: Pressed Wildflower Bookmarks

Eucalyptus Mint Goat Milk Soap

Eucalyptus mint goat milk soap.
Eucalyptus Mint Goat Milk Soap. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Guide your family in making Eucalyptus Mint Goat Milk Soap for a refreshing and engaging activity. This hands-on project allows everyone to learn the art of soap making while enjoying the therapeutic scents of eucalyptus and mint. They’ll appreciate the natural ingredients and enjoy the creamy, soothing soap they create. It’s a perfect activity for promoting wellness, creativity, and family time.
Get the Recipe: Eucalyptus Mint Goat Milk Soap

Peppermint Foot Scrub

A mason jar of peppermint foot scrub with a wooden spoon and candy canes.
Peppermint Foot Scrub. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Encourage teens and tweens to make Peppermint Foot Scrub as a way to unwind and care for themselves. Mixing the scrub offers a tactile and sensory experience, and they’ll love the invigorating scent of peppermint. This activity teaches them about personal care and gives them a product they can use and enjoy. It’s a refreshing, simple way to engage in self-care and spend meaningful time together.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Foot Scrub

Beeswax Coconut Lip Balm

Beeswax and coconut lip balm in a tin with a wooden spoon.
Beeswax Coconut Lip Balm. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Guide your kids in making Beeswax Coconut Lip Balm, a simple yet satisfying project. They’ll melt, mix, and pour ingredients, enjoying the process of crafting their own natural lip care. The activity teaches them about the properties of beeswax and coconut oil and the value of handmade goods. It’s a fun, practical way to introduce them to DIY cosmetics and enjoy screen-free time.
Get the Recipe: Beeswax Coconut Lip Balm

Easy Shampoo Bars

White homemade shampoo bars in a wicker basket next to a pair of scissors.
Easy Shampoo Bars. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Make Easy Shampoo Bars with your teens and tweens to introduce them to sustainable living practices. They’ll take part in every step, from choosing ingredients to molding the bars. As they use the shampoo they’ve made, they’ll feel proud and more connected to their daily routines. This activity is a great way to blend learning, creativity, and practical life skills.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shampoo Bars

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