Want to Raise Curious Kids? Unplug & Try This Instead

NGL, raising Efren without screen time hasn’t been easy — there have been so many moments when it would have been far more convenient (and efficient) to put him in front of a screen so we could power through work or household tasks. But because we’re fortunate enough to work from home most days, we’ve chosen to take a slower approach, prioritizing outdoor time and hands-on experiences while he’s still so little.

This isn’t a judgment on parents who rely on screens to get through the day — every family’s situation is different, and we completely understand that sometimes, screens are the only realistic option. We also don’t see screens as the enemy; they’re an inevitable part of the world he’ll grow up in. But for now, while his brain is still developing, we’re trying to hold off as long as we can, knowing that these early years shape so much of his curiosity and connection to the world around him.

If you’re looking for ways to help your child engage with the world beyond the screen, here are some small but impactful steps to encourage more outdoor play, exploration, and connection to nature.

1. Start with small, low-effort outdoor moments

Getting kids outside doesn’t have to mean elaborate hikes or all-day adventures. Start small:

• Have breakfast on the porch instead of at the table.
• Take a short “sunset stroll” around the block after dinner.
• Let your child play with water outside while you sip your coffee.
• Move an everyday activity — like storytime or snack time — to a blanket in the backyard.

The key is to make outdoor time a normal, effortless part of your routine rather than something that requires planning or logistics.

2. Make Outside the Default Play Space

One of the simplest ways to encourage kids to play outside is to make it the most accessible and engaging option.

• Keep a stash of outdoor toys (buckets, shovels, balls, magnifying glasses) within easy reach.
• Set up a cozy, shaded play area with a blanket and books.
• If you have a yard, let them dig in the dirt, water plants, or even just rearrange rocks.
• If you don’t have a yard, find a local park, community garden, or green space that feels like “yours.”

When outside feels just as inviting as inside, kids naturally start choosing it more often.

3. Nurture their natural curiosity about nature

Kids love discovering new things, and nature provides endless opportunities for wonder. Some ways to spark curiosity:

• Give them a little notebook to start a “nature journal” with drawings or leaf rubbings.
• Collect interesting rocks, flowers, or leaves and look them up together.
• Make outdoor scavenger hunts based on colors, textures, or sounds.
• Encourage free play—jumping in puddles, climbing trees, or building forts with sticks.

Framing outdoor time as an adventure rather than just “time away from screens” makes it more exciting.

4. Lead by example

Kids naturally mimic what they see. If they notice that you also love being outside — whether it’s sipping coffee on the patio, tending to a garden, or going for a walk — they’ll be more inclined to do the same.

Try making outdoor time something you do together rather than something you ask them to do alone. Even simple moments, like cloud-watching or lying in the grass, show them that nature is worth pausing for.

5. Shift boredom into creativity

One of the biggest reasons kids gravitate toward screens is because they’re constantly stimulating. The antidote isn’t necessarily to fill every moment with structured activities — it’s to give kids the space to get bored and find their own fun.

• Instead of suggesting a new activity when they say they’re bored, ask them, "What could you create out here?"
• Offer open-ended materials—cardboard boxes, chalk, pots and pans, or even just a pile of sticks—and see what they do with them.
• Give them “missions” like building a fairy house, setting up an outdoor picnic, or inventing a game with leaves and rocks.

Boredom isn’t the enemy — it’s often where creativity starts.

6. Reframe screen time as an occasional tool, not the default

If your goal is to reduce screen time rather than eliminate it completely, try treating it as something intentional rather than automatic.

• Create “screen-free zones” (like mealtime or the first hour after waking up).
• Designate specific times for screens rather than using them as the go-to solution.
• Offer an outdoor option before a screen — sometimes, kids just need a little push to get outside.

When screens aren’t the default, kids naturally start finding other ways to entertain themselves.

7. Let go of perfection

Not every day will be a nature-filled, screen-free dream. Some days, screens are going to happen, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t necessarily to eliminate them entirely — it’s to create a rhythm where outdoor play and exploration become just as normal and enjoyable.

Every little moment spent outside adds up. And at the end of the day, it’s not about following strict rules — it’s about giving kids a sense of wonder that goes beyond a screen.

If you’re looking to make a shift, start small.

One extra outdoor moment a day. One less automatic screen time session. Over time, those little changes create a bigger world for your child — one filled with curiosity, adventure, and a deep connection to the world around them.

What are your favorite ways to get kids off screens and outside? Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear!