If you are looking for some awesome screen-free activities for 10-year-olds, you have come to the right place.
Children in this age range can be difficult to entertain, but trust us that there are plenty of ways to do it without giving them a tablet or putting them in front of a TV.
What can a 10-year-old do when bored at home?
It’s a common sentiment for people to suggest that when our 10-year-old comes to us complaining of boredom we should just let them be bored.
On the opposite side of the fence, people are telling us to hand our 10-year-olds tablets or let them watch TV.
So, what are we supposed to do? What can a 10-year-old do when they are bored at home besides watching a screen?
To be sure, most 10-year-olds are capable of solving the issue of their own boredom.
In many situations, though, children still need the guidance of an adult, or at least the facilitation from an adult, to find activities they enjoy.
At this age, parents and caregivers should be observing kids for interests, as well as asking them outright what types of things they are interested in doing.
It can sometimes be helpful to suggest activity ideas to your 10-year-old if they are not sure what interests them.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
(This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing from these links costs you nothing extra, but helps with our website upkeep.)
10 fun screen-free activities for 10-year-olds
Crafts
If you have a 10-year-old that enjoys problem-solving and making things, crafting is a great activity for them.
You can give them random loose supplies and let them use their imaginations, or, if you’ve got a child that enjoys following directions (I have one of those children), you can purchase crafting kits that are designed to yield a specific end result.
Here are some options for loose parts crafting kits (kits that have random craft supplies):
- Blue Squid 3000+ Piece Deluxe Craft Chest
- 3 Layers Jumbo Arts and Crafts Supplies Warehouse
- Olly Kids Craft Kits Library
Here are some great craft kit options for kids who enjoy working toward an assigned end product:
These are some of the favorites in our home, however, you should base your craft kit choices on your child’s own interests.
Origami
Origami is a great screen-free activity for 10-year-olds that love a creative challenge.
In addition to being a fun activity, origami is great for helping kids develop spatial reasoning and fine motor skills.
There are kits you can purchase that are better for beginners, like this one:
If you’ve got a 10-year-old who enjoys more of a challenge, this is a better option:
Sewing
Sewing is a great activity for a 10-year-old, as at this age they are typically capable of safely handling and successfully threading a needle.
You can get your child a sewing kit and ask them to find clothes, pillows, or stuffed animals that need mending.
Sewing School is a good book to help your child get inspired about sewing.
If you are looking for sewing project kits for beginners, here are some great choices:
Rock painting
Rock painting has become a big thing in recent years. Throughout the pandemic, it boomed in popularity as it was a way for people to stay connected to their communities.
Leaving painted rocks along trails and at playgrounds is still a fun and popular thing to do, though.
Invite your 10-year-old to paint rocks or write inspiring messages on them and leave them where people walk.
All you need for this screen-free activity is some acrylic paints and some rocks, which you may already have around your property.
Science experiments
Simple science experiments, like making slime, are fun for kids at this age.
There are plenty of books that contain science experiments for kids available. If go this route, make sure you read through the book yourself so you can get the ingredients and supplies your 10-year-old needs.
If you want to buy a kit with everything your child needs in it, here are some great options:
- MEL Chemistry — Science Experiments Subscription Box (love this one)
- Japace 100+ Experiments Science Kit for Kids
- Crystal Growing Kit
Reading
I know, I know – if they enjoyed reading, surely picking up a book is the first thing they’d do when they got bored, right?
Wrong.
Of course, not everyone is destined to become an avid reader, but children generally enjoy reading a lot more when it’s the type of reading material they’re interested in.
Some 10-year-olds enjoy comic books, while others enjoy reading series.
Take your child to the library, let them explore a variety of reading materials, and check out what they choose – without judgment.
Art projects
If you’ve got a 10-year-old that enjoys drawing or painting, follow that interest by making sure they’ve got the art supplies and canvases they need.
Even if your child hasn’t shown you their creative side, they might enjoy making art just the same.
It can also be a great way for kids to destress and express their emotions productively.
Learning an instrument
One of my favorite screen-free activities for 10-years-olds is learning a new instrument.
There are so many beginner music books available online and in music stores.
Some great instruments for 10-year-olds to learn on their own are the piano and the ukelele.
Advance LEGO sets
LEGO sets aren’t just for little kids. In fact, there are more options for advanced builders available than kids’ sets.
From movie-themed LEGO sets to dinosaur and science-themed sets, there really is a lot to choose from that are perfect for 10-year-olds.
Here are some good ones:
Playing with friends
At 10 years old, kids tend to enjoy social activities and team sports over playing on their own for long periods of time.
If you choose any of the above activities for your child and they still complain of boredom, invite one of their friends over to join them.
They may not end up doing any of the activities you planned, but that’s ok – 2 heads are better than 1 and I assure you, they’ll come up with something.
There you have it – 10 awesome screen-free activities for 10-year-olds. All of these can be done right at home, too, which is nice.
Obviously, this list is not exhaustive. It should give you a head start on some of your own ideas, though.
Enjoy!