10 Screen-Free Games Nannies Can Play With Kids at Home

Keeping kids genuinely engaged without reaching for a tablet is one of the quiet superpowers of a great nanny. Not because screens are the enemy, but because some of the most memorable childhood moments happen when there is nothing to stare at except each other and a pile of cushions.

These 10 games need almost no equipment, work across a wide age range, and tend to keep going far longer than you would expect.

1. The Floor is Lava

Scatter cushions, rugs, and soft toys across the living room floor and challenge kids to cross the room without touching the ground. Simple premise, chaotic fun, guaranteed laughter.

It builds spatial awareness and gross motor coordination, and the energy burns fast. Good for a rainy afternoon when the walls are starting to close in.

2. Treasure Hunt

Hide a handful of small objects around the house and write out a list of clues or a simple checklist. For toddlers, clues can be pictures. For school-age kids, riddles work well.

Treasure hunts stretch out naturally because kids will often ask to do another round once they have found everything. They are also surprisingly good for reading practice when the clues are written out.

3. Simon Says

Zero setup. Works anywhere. Simon Says has been entertaining children for generations because the rules are just strict enough to feel like a real game.

The trick is mixing physical instructions ("Simon says spin around three times") with quieter ones ("Simon says whisper your favourite animal"). The contrast keeps kids on their toes and genuinely focused.

Research from the CDC's developmental milestones resource highlights that listening and following instructions are foundational skills in early childhood, and games like this support that development in a low-pressure way.

4. DIY Obstacle Course

Chairs to weave through, a cushion stack to jump over, a line of tape on the floor to balance along. An indoor obstacle course can be built in about five minutes and then rebuilt differently the next time.

Timed runs add a layer of excitement for older kids. For younger ones, just completing the course is the reward.

5. Story Building

One person starts with a single sentence. "Once upon a time, a pelican walked into a hardware store." The next person adds a sentence. Then the next. Nobody knows where it will go, which is exactly the point.

This game tends to get sillier as it goes on, and that is fine. According to the Australian Early Development Census, language and communication skills in early childhood have a lasting impact on learning outcomes, and storytelling games are a low-effort way to build them.

6. Indoor Bowling

Line up plastic cups or bottles in a triangle at the end of a hallway and roll a soft ball toward them. Keep score or just reset and roll again.

It is adaptable across ages. Younger kids can stand close; older kids can move back or bowl with their non-dominant hand for a real challenge.

7. Freeze Dance

Play music through a phone or speaker and let kids dance freely. When the music cuts out, everyone freezes. Anyone who moves gets a silly challenge like "spin on the spot five times" before rejoining.

Movement and music together have well-documented benefits for children's physical and cognitive development. The Better Health Channel notes that active play helps children develop balance, coordination, and social skills, all of which freeze dance quietly covers.

8. Guess the Object

Drop an item into a pillowcase or fabric bag and have kids reach in and guess what it is without looking. Start with obvious things like a banana or a tennis ball and get more challenging from there.

For younger children, give a verbal clue first. This game is particularly good for kids who are sensory-curious, as it turns tactile exploration into something purposeful.

9. Chalk Drawing Challenges

If you have an outdoor space, even a small courtyard or driveway, chalk is one of the most versatile tools in the kit. Give kids a theme, "draw your dream bedroom," "design a spaceship," "map out our street," and let them go.