Sesame Street in Communities offers tips for digital well-being and transitions out of screen time.
It’s totally natural to worry about how much time your kids spend looking at a screen. Although screen time is okay in moderation, extended use, especially to watch short videos, can lead to eye strain, attention issues, and difficulty retaining information. For busy adults, screen time is sometimes a sanity saver in the home, say, when plans fall through, things need to get done, or childcare is cancelled. (We get it, we’re parents too).
But a break from screens can be a perfect opportunity for your family to reset, spend time together, and slow down. While many families eschew technology on Shabbat, a tech break works any day of the week. Taking time offline lets kids practice communication. It promotes peace in the home, ingenuity, perseverance, and gratitude.
Need some screen-free activities that take zero prep? Read on for some tips from our team.
Create a story
Storytelling games build literacy, boost confidence, and sharpen a child’s language skills. These games are also a great way to increase attention spans and reinforce social skills, such as taking turns, active and close listening, and collaboration.
Dance
Moving your body is a great way to release pent-up energy, shake off worries, and feel connected to the world around you. Tap your toes, nod your head, wiggle your fingers, and get moving. Whether you play freeze-dance or just let loose, dancing is an energy and endorphin booster. Browse our playlists to find some music to move to:
Explore
If the weather is nice, take a walk around your neighborhood or your community. What do you see? Hear? Who do you talk to?
Listen to a podcast for kids
Research shows that children who listen to stories have higher reading scores by the end of elementary school, improved reading comprehension, and stronger creative thinking skills. PJ Library produces award-winning, original audio stories for kids, full of Jewish learning, values, and themes. Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Make your own instruments and start a band
It’s no secret that we love music as much as we love books at PJ Library. If you’re looking for an activity to fill a rainy day or a slow afternoon, we encourage you to grab things around the house and sing, stomp, and jam together. Hum a nigun, clap a beat with your hands, or give something in the recycling bin new life by turning it into an instrument (a perfect way to embrace the value of bal taschit, “don’t be wasteful,” too):
Bonus:
Did you know that we have lots of FREE printable activity sheets? Our holiday guides are also FREE and full of activities, recipes, and prompts for family discussions and learning. Find them all:
September 14, 2026