Screen-free activities aren’t always easy to fit into a day dominated by your phone, computer, and TV.
The goal isn’t to give up screens completely. It’s simply about choosing to spend a few minutes doing something else — slowing down, focusing on one activity, and giving your mind a change of pace.
Here are 10 screen-free activities to try when you want to relax, along with some simple supplies to help you get started.
Why Take a Break From Screens?
A few minutes away from a screen can give you the opportunity to slow down and focus on something with your hands. Research on the health benefits of taking regular breaks shows that stepping away — even briefly — can help the brain recover and recharge, rather than just adding another form of stimulation.
Whether you enjoy coloring, puzzles, painting, or journaling, a simple creative activity can create a natural break in your day.
You don’t need to spend hours doing it. Even 10 or 20 minutes can be enough to change the rhythm of your day.
10 Screen-Free Activities to Help You Relax
1. Color
Of course, coloring is one of our favorite ways to take a screen-free break at Mila Pastel.
Adult coloring gives you something simple to focus on without requiring you to create something from scratch. You can choose your colors, work at your own pace, and stop whenever you want.
What you need: colored pencils, markers, or an adult coloring book. If you enjoy using markers, alcohol markers such as Ohuhu or Copic Ciao can be fun to experiment with. For printable coloring pages, however, remember that alcohol markers can bleed through regular printer paper, so colored pencils or water-based markers may be more convenient.
And if you’d like to start without buying anything, you can also explore our free printable coloring pages.
2. Work on a Puzzle
Puzzles are a simple way to keep your hands and attention busy at the same time.
You have a clear goal, but there is no need to rush. A 500-piece puzzle can be a nice choice for a quiet evening, while a 1,000- or 2,000-piece puzzle can become a longer-term project.
What you need: a puzzle that matches the amount of time and space you have available. Brands such as Ravensburger and Buffalo Games offer many options for adults.
3. Try Diamond Painting
Diamond painting involves placing tiny resin pieces onto a sticky canvas, one section at a time.
The process is repetitive and hands-on, which makes it an appealing choice if you enjoy detailed creative activities.
What you need: a beginner-friendly diamond painting kit. A smaller design can be less intimidating when you’re trying diamond painting for the first time. Look for a complete kit that includes the canvas, diamonds, applicator, tray, and wax.
4. Try a Paint-by-Numbers Kit
Paint-by-numbers is a good option if you’d like to paint but don’t know where to start.
Each section of the design is numbered and corresponds to a specific paint color, so you don’t have to figure out the composition yourself.
What you need: a complete paint-by-numbers kit with the canvas, paints, and brushes included. A smaller 12 × 16 inch canvas can be a comfortable size for a first project.
5. Try Needlepoint or Embroidery
Working stitch by stitch can be a relaxing way to spend some quiet time.
Needlepoint kits are especially beginner-friendly when the design is already printed on the canvas and the materials are included.
What you need: a beginner needlepoint or embroidery kit with the canvas, needle, and thread included. DMC and Vervaco are two brands worth exploring.
6. Paint With Watercolors
You don’t need a large collection of art supplies to try watercolor painting.
A small palette, a few brushes, and good watercolor paper are enough to experiment with simple flowers, leaves, landscapes, or abstract shapes.
What you need: a small watercolor set from brands such as Winsor & Newton or Van Gogh, along with a watercolor sketchbook or paper. Paper around 300 gsm (140 lb) is a good choice because it handles water much better than regular paper.
7. Start a Creative Journal
Journaling doesn’t have to mean writing pages and pages about your day.
You can write a few thoughts, keep a gratitude list, draw small shapes, add color, or decorate your pages with stickers and washi tape.
What you need: a dotted or blank notebook and a set of fine-tip pens. Leuchtturm1917 and Rhodia are popular choices for notebooks, while pens such as the Stabilo Point 88 are useful for writing and decorating.
8. Try Crochet or Knitting
Crochet and knitting offer another way to keep your hands busy while creating something at your own pace.
If you’re a beginner, a complete kit can make the first steps easier because you don’t have to figure out which yarn, needles, or hooks to buy.
What you need: a beginner crochet or knitting kit containing the yarn, appropriate needles or hook, and instructions.
Choose a simple project such as a small scarf, coaster, dishcloth, or other beginner-friendly item rather than starting with a complicated pattern.
9. Try Origami
Origami is an inexpensive creative activity that requires very little equipment.
Following a few simple folds can be surprisingly absorbing, and you can start with basic shapes before moving on to more complicated models.
What you need: a pack of origami paper and a beginner-friendly origami book with step-by-step instructions.
10. Color a Card or Bookmark
Don’t always have time for a full coloring session?
A card or bookmark can be a perfect smaller project.
You can finish a design in a relatively short amount of time, making this a nice option for a quick creative break.
What you need: printable or pre-cut coloring cards and bookmarks, plus colored pencils or your favorite markers.
You can even turn a finished coloring page into a small handmade gift.
Which Screen-Free Activity Should You Choose?
The best choice depends on what you feel like doing.
| If you want to… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Be creative | Coloring, watercolor, paint-by-numbers |
| Focus your attention | Puzzles, diamond painting, needlepoint |
| Express yourself | Journaling, watercolor |
| Keep your hands busy | Needlepoint, crochet, knitting |
| Take a quick break | Coloring a bookmark or card |
| Have a quiet evening | Coloring, origami, or journaling |
You don’t have to stick to one activity. Some days you might want something detailed and absorbing. Other days, a simple coloring page may be all you need.
How to Create a Simple Screen-Free Routine
You don’t need to completely change your daily routine to make room for creative hobbies.
A few small habits can help:
- Start with 10 to 20 minutes if that feels manageable.
- Choose a regular time of day so your activity becomes a familiar part of your routine.
- Put your phone somewhere out of reach while you’re working.
- Keep your supplies somewhere easy to access.
- Don’t turn your creative hobby into another obligation. The goal is to enjoy the activity.
A small basket or box containing your favorite coloring supplies, notebook, puzzle book, or other materials can make it much easier to start.
Coloring Is One of the Easiest Screen-Free Activities to Try
Out of all these creative hobbies, coloring is one of the easiest to start.
You don’t need to know how to draw or paint. You don’t need a large collection of supplies. And you don’t have to finish a page in one sitting.
You can simply choose a design, pick a few colors, and begin.
If you’d like to give it a try, explore Mila Pastel’s free printable coloring pages and choose a design that makes you want to put your phone down for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good screen-free activities?
Coloring, puzzles, diamond painting, paint-by-numbers, needlepoint, watercolor painting, journaling, crochet, knitting, and origami are all simple screen-free hobbies to explore at home.
How can I relax without my phone?
Try replacing a few minutes of scrolling with a hands-on activity such as coloring, journaling, a puzzle, or needlepoint. Keeping your favorite supplies nearby can make the switch easier.
What can I do at night instead of watching TV?
Coloring, journaling, origami, puzzles, and other quiet creative hobbies can be enjoyable alternatives when you want to spend some time away from a screen.
What are some easy creative hobbies to do at home?
Coloring, paint-by-numbers, watercolor, diamond painting, journaling, and simple needlepoint projects are all accessible options for beginners.
How can I spend less time on screens?
Instead of simply trying to use your screens less, plan a specific activity you can do instead. Having a coloring page, puzzle, journal, or craft project ready to go gives you an easy alternative when you reach for your phone.