🏕️ 10 Screen-Free Summer Activities to Keep Kids Busy and Learning

(Featuring Bookish Finds, Creative Kits, and Zero Parent Guilt)

Looking for screen-free summer activities that keep kids engaged and learning? Discover 10 educational and fun ideas—with a few favorite Amazon finds for curious minds.

10 Ways to Keep Kids Busy (and Secretly Learning) This Summer 🌞

Let’s be honest: summer can feel like a wild mix of “yay, freedom!” and “how is it only 9:43 AM?” We want our kids to enjoy a break from school, but we also want them to stay engaged, curious, and… let’s face it, not glued to a screen 24/7.

But here's the good news: learning doesn't have to feel like school, and screen time doesn't have to be the enemy. In fact, there are ways to keep kids busy that feel fun, not forced—and sneak in some real educational value while you're at it.

First, a quick word about screens (No guilt here)

Look, I get it. Sometimes screen time is the breather everyone needs—including you. I’m not here to shame anyone. I actually love a good, enriching show or app for kids (and I’ll share what I’ve been working on at the end of this post!).

But it’s also nice to have a few solid, screen-free options on hand—especially when the “I’m bored” chorus kicks in.

That’s why I’ve pulled together some of my favorite finds from Amazon—things that spark curiosity, sneak in a little learning, and most importantly, actually keep kids busy. I’ve organized them into two collections:

🎒 The Young Historians’ Treasure Trove

📚 The Bookworm’s Adventure Box

Below are 10 standout picks, all shared with individual links so you can check them out easily.

💬 And yes, I may earn a small commission if you decide to buy—thank you for supporting what I do! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

🎒 Young Historians’ Treasure Trove

These ideas are perfect for the kid who loves stories, puzzles, and learning weird facts about the past (aka: my kind of kid).

1. Underdog Games Trekking Through History: The Award-Winning Family Board Game. Trekking Through History is perfect for kids ages 10 and up, and it’s packed with fun, easy-to-learn gameplay that takes your family on a wild ride through time. No need to be a history expert—this game makes learning about the past feel like an epic adventure. From collecting cool historical figures to exploring major events, it's a super engaging way to sneak in some learning, all while having a blast. Plus, it's a great way to get the whole family together for some friendly competition!

2. Playmobil 5393 Roman Troop- Okay, now we’re talking serious imagination. The Playmobil Roman Troop set is perfect for little adventurers aged 4 and up. It’s the ultimate way to dive into ancient history, with a Roman soldier figure ready to march into action! Whether they’re building epic battles or crafting their own Roman empire, this set sparks creativity and brings history to life in a way that’s incredibly fun and immersive. With detailed figures and accessories, it’s a fantastic, hands-on way for kids to play and learn about the ancient world—no history lecture required!

3. Timeline Twist Card Game Ready to test your history knowledge with fast-paced fun and teamwork? Timeline Twist is a fast-paced, cooperative trivia game where you and your family work together to place historical events in the right order. It’s perfect for kids 8 and up (and honestly, adults might get a little stumped too!). With quick 20-minute rounds, you’ll race against time to see if you can piece together the timeline—without giving away any spoilers. Whether you’re a history whiz or just up for some friendly competition, this game makes learning about the past feel like a blast!

4. National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025. Filled with animals, facts, quizzes, and cool science, this one is hard to put down. It’s also a great tool to encourage independent reading on long car rides or quiet afternoons.

5. Ancient Wonders Dig Kit - Calling all budding archaeologists! The Ancient Wonders Dig Kit is like a treasure hunt straight out of history. With 6 treasure landmarks figurines and 6 rocks to excavate, kids aged 6 and up can dig, discover, and learn all about the wonders of the ancient world. Each kit comes with history learning cards to spark curiosity and teach about the iconic landmarks, making this not only a fun activity but also an awesome STEM experience. Perfect for hands-on learning or as a party favor, it’s an exciting and interactive way for kids to uncover ancient history one dig at a time!

📚 Bookworm’s Adventure Box

For the child who devours books, dreams up stories, or just needs a little nudge into reading something new, these finds make great summer companions.

6. The Mysterious Benedict Society (Book 1) A clever, twisty story full of riddles, puzzles, and brave kids—plus, it's the perfect jumping-off point for creative writing prompts or making your own “mystery club.”

7. The Puzzling World of Winston Breen. Part story, part interactive challenge. Readers solve puzzles with the main character, which builds logic skills and makes reading an active experience.

8. Story Cubes by Rory's. A pocket-sized storytelling tool that’s actually fun for the whole family. Roll the dice, get random images, and build wild (or historical) tales together.

9. The Usborne Write Your Own Story Book. Encourages kids to invent characters, settings, and plot twists with gentle prompts and gorgeous illustrations. It's a sneaky way to get them writing—and loving it.

10. Professor PUZZLE The Mad Hatter's Tea Party Games - Okay, this game is an absolute blast. My family played The Mad Hatter's Tea Party Games during our Christmas get-together, and I honestly laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. It’s the kind of game that’s full of unexpected, hilarious challenges, and everyone gets totally caught up in the chaos. From quirky rules to trying to outwit each other in the silliest ways, this game will have you and your family in stitches. It’s perfect for all ages—whether you're with the kids or just hanging out with adults looking for some fun. If you want to make memories (and maybe even shed a tear or two from laughing), this one is a must-have for game night!

BONUS PICK: Skillmatics Storybook Art Kit - Step into a world of adventures and endless imagination with Skillmatics' Storybook Art Kit! This all-in-one kit gives kids everything they need to become authors, from writing prompts and vocabulary lists to colorful stickers, markers, and hardbound books to bring their stories to life.

👀 One More Thing (Because Screens Aren’t All Bad)

Sometimes you need a little quiet time. And when you do turn to screens, it helps to have something thoughtful and inspiring—not just another background video on loop.

That’s exactly why I created the Past & Pen YouTube show and podcast—a cozy corner for curious kids who love learning. Each short episode explores a moment in history, paired with a themed reading list and a creative writing prompt to keep the thinking going long after the screen turns off.

If your child enjoys surprising facts, storytelling sparks, and a fun path into historical thinking, I think they’ll love it.

🌀 Check out the latest episode here and let me know what they write!

🌟 Wrapping Up

Whether you’re planning for long car rides, quiet afternoons, or just need a few go-to boredom busters, these ideas will help keep your child busy, curious, and connected to the world around them, without needing a constant screen.

And hey, if a little screen time does sneak in here and there? You're still doing an amazing job.