This screen-free gift guide was compiled by real parents like you—our Better Screen Time team members who actually use and love everything on this list. We hope these gifts bring your family hours of screen-free fun!
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Past Gift Guides
Small Favorites
Zipit Monster Pencil Case
So cute and durable! Loved by our team member’s family.
NeeDoh
A squishy fan-favorite that our 12-year-old assures us is still going strong. On-the-go entertainment for any age!
Diamond Art Animals
Cute animals and fun activity to do solo or with friends. (Fun to do while listening to an audio book.) 😉
Original Waterfuls Handheld Game
Classic for a reason. Perfect for car rides, appointments and other quiet times.
Switch-Eroo Magic Color Changing Markers
Puzzle tangram
Such a great brain challenge and so many options so kids return to it again and again.
Original Wooly Willy
I had so much fun making goofy faces with this growing up. So happy Wooly Willy is making a comeback.
Mini Hydro-Flask
When you don’t have room to lug a giant water bottle along, these mini-water bottles are perfect!
Toy Story 5 Yoto Card
It’s no surprise that we loved Toy Story 5 and now kids can enjoy the audio version—no Lilypad required. 😉
Olive & June Long Lasting Nail Polish
We love Olive & June nail polish. So many great colors.
Aquaphor Advanced Healing Ointment
This works better than any chapstick out there—our teens swear by it. Get this one, the travel size of the real aquaphor, not the chapstick.
Travel Wikki Stix
We’ve been Wikki Stix fans for a long time—the travel set is great for at home or on the go.
Road Tape for Toy Cars
To go with your Hot Wheels. 🙂
Crayola Clicks Retractable Markers
Lots of great colors and no need to worry about losing a lid.
Hot Wheels 3-Pack
Always a hit and a great price!
Playfoam 8-Pack
Squishy, mess-free, and can help fill several stockings!
Daily Brain Games 2027 Day-to-Day Calendar
Our son loves getting this calendar each year.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray
The hand sanitizer every pre-teen and teen girl wants.
Andrea’s Favorites
Flecks of Gold Journal
There are few things we repeat on our gift guide, but this is one of them because parents come back time and time again telling us how much they love it. I love looking back at the ‘flecks’ I’ve written in my own journal. (And there are several beautiful cover colors to choose from!)
BST for 10% off the sale price!
Shark Watch
I’ve led many screen-free camps with teens and I always wear my Shark watch. I’m not distracted looking at my phone to check the time. It’s sturdy and the designs are so fun!
Goodr Sunglasses
Got an orange pair for my birthday this year and I’ve worn them so much. Lightweight, fun, and inexpensive.
Swatch Watch
Got a Swatch for my birthday this year and I’ve worn it so much. I wear an Apple watch when I work out, but the rest of the time, I love my analog watch!
DOVE Promises Almond & Dark Chocolate
Favorite chocolate treat (next to PB M&Ms!)
Chocolove Almonds and Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate
Perfect balance of all the things. So good!
Family Connection
Do You Even Know Me? (younger kid's expansion pack)
We love the original game, but if you’ve got younger kids this add-on is a must. Such a great group game when friends come over!
Puzzle board
We finally joined the puzzle board fan club. We have a small house and this means we can keep a fun puzzle without having to clean up. Worth it!
Piles-Animal Edition
The newest variation on this fun, easy game. Easy to sit down and play with simple rules and great for all ages.
Melissa & Doug Underwater Ocean Floor Puzzle
Our kids have LOVED these floor puzzles, and the underwater scene on this one is awesome!
Rope Untangling Puzzle Game
Great travel game recomended by one of our team members.
Elena Essex Bookshelf Puzzle
Next best thing to a book is a puzzle about books.
Galison Christmas in Paris Puzzle
Insired by our parent/graduating senior trip with our 2nd child to France this year.
Galison Swiss Alpine Village Puzzle
On my wish list this year! We love Galison’s puzzles.
Family Favorite Games
Flip 7 Game
Our most-played game this year! We took it on family trips and played at home to unwind in the evening.
Ticket Booth
NEW! Grandpa Beck’s latest game. Spend tickets for fair attractions to make your own carnival. It’s a fun one!
Use BST for 15% OFF on Grandpa Beck’s website
Exit The Game (escape room experience)
These Exit games make for a fun family ‘escape room’ night. So many different themes! (Note: one-time use)
Quiet Time
Yoto Player
Back for 2026! We love our Yoto Player! Yoto devices have no screen, no camera, no microphone, and no ads. That means kids are free to explore safe and family-friendly audio.
POCOCO Projector
This is how we bring the starts indoors! Fun way to windown at night. Screens off, book/booklight in hand, and stars on the ceiling. We’ve been taking turns putting this in our bedrooms.
Ultimate Origami Challenge Kit for Kids 8-12
Step-by-step instructions and fun projects! Great for ages 8+. Our teens STILL sit and fold paper.
Squishy Carrot
Why are giant squishy carrots a thing? All I know is that kids are loving these right now and there’s something therapeutic about mashing the thing as much as you want.
Magnatiles Travel Set
Our original Magnatiles are still a favorite, but we love this travel size for on the go.
Magnet Cubes
Magnet cubes are so popular right now. These colorful blocks ‘click’ when you put them together and have endless play options. Great to keep on the kitchen table!
Camp GURU Puzzle Game
Screen-free puzzle with lots of challenges and great for a ‘bored’ kid since they can play solo! (Recommend ages 8+)
Use betterscreentime for 15% OFF
Raising Readers
Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes (Volume 1)
Such a fun read for your middle schooler. Author Matt Eicheldinger just ‘gets’ kids this age!
Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for each day
Wonderful addition to your home library with beautiful illustrations and a nature poem for each day of the year–with favorite like Frost, Dickenson, Hughes.
The Complete Anne of Green Gables
Anne with an ‘E’ in the most beautiful set!
Illustrated The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings
I’ll never forget reading The Hobbit aloud to my kids. It’s not as scary as the movie. 😉 Love these illustrated editions.
Percy Jackson Book Set
Easy to read, fast paced adventures!
The Wrinkle in Time Quintet Boxed Set
I bought this set in 2014 and realized I never replaced in after our house fire in 2019. It’s on my list to add to our home library this year.
It's A Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Because there will never be enough Calvin & Hobbes in this world. Kids love it, but it’s actually for the parents.
Spark Creativity & Imagination
Camp Snap Camera
The best adventures are sans screens! We love this camera for camps, field trips, friend’s houses to capture all the memories and none of the distractions.
Get $5 OFF with our link
ChompSaw
Cut cardboard in any shape for all your creative designs. Latest favorite addition to our art supply stash.
Use BST for $10 OFF
Magnetic Tiles Car
The BEST addition to your Magnatile Set if you have toddlers or young kids!
Cookie Cutters
Play-dough, real dough, air clay—all the things! Cutting shapes has provided endless entertianment for our kids over the years.
Light Up Drawing Board
The upgraded white board. Great for menus for the play restuarant, school, or just doodlling!
Busy Board for Toddlers and Babies
We love how you can rearrange the tiles, PLUS they’re magnetic to put on the fridge. This is next level busy board!
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter
Why do little kids love to scoop ice cream so much? I have no idea–but this is always a favorite.
Schleich Horse Club
I grew up riding horses and playing with toy horses. Such a great collection!
Play-Dough Character Accessories
Sooo much fun! Make silly faces and creatures with playdough or clay.
Kwik Stix Cuties
We love the original Kwik Stix, but kids absoletely adore these ones with faces.
Little Tikes Sweet Spaces Refrigerator
Our kids had so much fun with their toy kitchen over the years. Tyler built ours–but this one looks great. So fun for kids!
Nugget Kid Couch
Rave reviews from team members and BST parents! We’re sharing it again beceause parents say it’s the thing that gets used over and over again.
Melissa & Doug Simmer & Stir Stove Top
Great addition to the play kitchen! Uses water to transform “raw” food into cooked creations.
Stretch Your Brain with STEM
Air Toobz
The upgraded STEM version of that ball popper our kids had as toddlers. This one’s for the builders/tinkerers in your life.
Open Ended Wooden Puzzle
The kind of puzzle that keeps on giving—pattern cards for learning and fun shapes for endless creativity.
Magnet Pyramid Glow
This is the toy you buy for the kids, but then you find yourself playing with, too. Car, church, or just some downtime at home. It’s a winner!
LEGO Technic NEOM McLaren Formula E Racecar
This is THE Lego Technic this year. I mean, it’s a bright orange formula car, how could it not be?
SNAP CIRCUITS Flight Deck
We’ve shared the original Snap Circuits on a past gift guide, but this Flight Deck is such a fun addition! Lauching things never gets old for kids!
Stay in Touch with Nature & the Outdoors
Toy Rocket Launcher
A yard game that will get lots of mileage (no pun intended). Seriously fun launching!
Bike Wheel Lights
Bikes are a way of life where we live. These bike lights add safety and fun.
Flag football set
Fun with cousins or friends! Sturdy velcro makes this set a winner.
Laser Tag
I’ve helped run teen events for many years, and laser tag is always a winner–outdoor or indoor.
Bow and Arrow Set
Recomended by one of our team members: Safe and fun for the whole family.
Teens
Murdoku: Murder Mystery Logic Puzzles
Super fun mystery logic puzzles for your older kids and teens.
3 Tier Jewelry Organizer
For the teen girl in your life. Usefu AND decorative for their room.
Bedazzling Kit (Diamond Art)
We love the versatiality of this kit–can be used to decorate anything your teen desires.
Professional Speed Cube Timer
We’ve listed multiple Rubik’s Cubes on our past gift guides. Grab the timer to up their game!
Juggling Kit or Balls
Tyler is the juggler in our family—he learned as a teen. It’s a fun skill that is still entertaining in our screen-filled world.
This juggling ball set can up your game once you’ve mastered the basics.
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
The latest favorite water bottle!
Thread Wallet
Several of our teens have and use Thread wallets. Simple, fun, and practical!
Thread Wallets Wristlet Keychain
Grab a matching keychain for your teen’s Thread wallet and keychain.
Fineliners Pens for journaling
Precise lines for journaling and drawing! And ALL the good colors.
Amazon Gift Card
Huge fans of the Disco theme cards!
365 Questions for Teens
NEW! 365 questions for teens to start converesations and build connection. Another favorite from Brooke Romney.
Use ANDREA for 10% OFF
The Addictive Ball Bouncing Skill Game
Recommended by one of our team members as a favorite active game for teen boys!
Your New Playlist
Reframing our thoughts is so powerful. Thanks to Jon Acuff and his family for this message for teens.
LEGO Botanicals Cosmos Flowers
Cosmos are some of my favorite flowers to grow! This Lego set is a great find for teen girls.
Wood Burning Kit
My mom was the Cub Scout leader and I loved helping when it was time for wood burning. 😉 Totally need to get this for my kids.
Crankbrothers Multi Tool
Do you have a biker in your life? Tyler has used this on the trail many times. Easy to carry with all the tools you need.
Mighty Hero Pimple Patches (Holiday)
Why did these not exist when we were teens? Yay for a fun holiday edition. 🙂
Skate Board
Getting a skateboard, trucks, wheels and bearings from a skateboard company is the way to go because the Walmart type skateboards are frustrating because they don’t roll very well and are harder to control. Choose one that fits your kid (they come in a range of sizes). There are a couple of websites that have good selections (tactics.com socalskateshop.com though there are some questionable graphics so beware if you look through them). The price point would be around $125–200 for a proper skate.
Metal Stamping Kit
I recently did some metal stamping with my daughter and we loved it! You can use leather, wood, metal, or clay.
Scale Model Car Kit
Tyler spent many, many hours building kits like this. They’re a great way to learn how to and, glue, build, and paint. It may take a few kits before you can make one look as good as the box cover. 🙂
Make Some Music
Fisher-Price Rockin’ Record Player Musical Toy
Gah! I had a Fisher Price record player growing up. In fact, I shared it with my kids at my parent’s house last summer. YAY for bringing this back for the littles!






























































































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