We live in a fast-paced world saturated with technology and social media; however, every once in a while, it's nice to press pause and enjoy a low-tech family activity.
It seems like "Fun" has been so thoroughly digitized, we can't conceive of anything to do without a WiFi signal. But there is a big world out there, so if you can bear to switch off Netflix and your smartphone for an hour or two, you might actually have a real-live conversation with your own flesh and blood.
Some examples of low-tech family activities are playing a board game (Monopoly, anyone?), having a picnic or even playing a round of cards. Though these activities may seem old-fashioned, there are a range of innovative options out there to keep things interesting.
18 Examples of Low-Tech Family Activities
18
Jungle Gym Recliners
The Abooba Chair Lets Parents Sit Comfortably While Playing with Their Kids
17
Girl Construction Toys
GoldieBlox and The Builder's Survival Kit Teaches Important Skills
16
Wizard Board Games
Harry Potter Monopoly Immerses Fans in a Magically Competitive World
15
DIY Boat-Building Sets
Set Sail and Go On Adventures with Your Own Balmain Sailboat Kit
14
Indoor Play Swings
The Rafa Kids S Swing Allows Kids to Safely Play Indoors
13
Bike Sharing for Kids
The P’tit Velib Program in Paris is an Extension of Its Velib Network
12
Comical See-Through Cards
Laugh Out Lout When You Play with These Poker Face Cards
11
Tofu Stacking Games
The 'Manner Tofu Chopstick' Game from Japan is Fun and Frustrating
10
Artisan Game Board Furnishings
The Congo Quares Chess Board Bench is Inspired By The Strategy Game
9
Foosball Pencil Toys
The Foosball Pencil Eraser Design by Suck UK is Fun and Functional
8
Elaborate Storytelling Playing Cards
This Card Deck is Equal Parts Art, Design and Craftsmanship
7
Medieval Game Board Remixes
The Chainmaille Chess Set Lets You Play Like It's 1399
6
Convertible Picnic Bags
This Stylish Bag From BuiltNY Includes All Your Picnicking Products
5
Retro Console Board Games
This Shogi Board Game is Designed in the Likes of Nintendo Game Boy
4
Illuminated Ping Pong Games
Indigo's Glow In The Dark Table Tennis Set Ensures Hours of Fun
3
Galactic Playing Cards
This Star Wars Card Deck Shows the History of Darth Vader
2
Color-Blocked Picnic Packs
'PiqueNique' Encourages You to Spend More Time with Loved Ones
1
Retro Pixelated Playing Cards
These Pixel Playing Cards are Cute Reinventions of the Classic Deck
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Child-Friendly Voice Messengers
KARRI Shares a Safe, Screen-Free Way for Kids to Connect
Modernized Portable Music Devices
The Conceptual TL-1 Music Player by Hunny Modi is Nostalgic
Play-Based Preschool Apps
LEGO Bluey Mobile Game Makes Screen Time into Building Play for Kids
Interactive Gaming Cubes
The Rubik’s WOWCube Combines Digital Play with Tactile Puzzle Mechanics
Screen-Free Play Companions
Fabli Creates an Immersive World of Storytelling, Music and Games
Psychologist-Designed Educational Toys
ThinkPsych Spotlights Its Line of Therapeutic Games & Tools
Smartphone-Sized Beds
IKEA's Phone Sleep Collection Gamifies Mindful Device Use Before Bed
Group Chat Meetups
Heineken's Group Chat Bar Experience Unites People in Person
Interactive Bedtime Apps
Lullaby Stories Lets Families Create Personalized Bedtime Tales
Screen-Free Learning Devices
The NODI Flip Offers Portable Parent-Approved Audio Learning for Kids
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Phone-Free Crafting Experiences
Pinterest Brought a Phone-Free Experience to the Desert
Game Night Loungewear Sets
The TAST!EZ Game Night Loungewear Kit Features Tearaway Napkin Sleeves
Miniature Phone Beds
The IKEA Phone Sleep Collection Turns Screen Time into a Nightly Ritual
Screen-Free Communication Concepts
Ishac Bertran Prototyped a Voice-Only, Fixed Location Phone
Stress-Reducing Pet Products
PetSafe® Offers Stress-Free Solutions for Busy Pet Owners
Personalized Learning Activities
Kidtivity Lab Delivers Custom AI Activities for Young Minds
Mindful Digital Aquariums
Reef Turns Screen-Free Time into a Calm Ritual Through Interaction
Interactive Educational TV Games
LeapFrog LeapMove Has a Webcam-Like Design
Phygital Baseball Board Games
Base on Board 2.0 Keeps Gameplay Dynamic with E-Ink Dice
Wellness-Focused TV Setups
JubileeTV Blends Connection and Care for Senior Living at Home
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Inclusive Diverse Board Games
Safehaven Presents the Where Hope Lives Board Game
Rural Running Vacations
Airbnb and Strava are Motivating Gen Z to Book Run-Cations
Responsive Building Toys
LEGO SMART Play Integrates Technology That Reacts in Real Time
Retro Phone Experiences
Brick 1100 Recreates Classic Mobile Simplicity On Modern Smartphones
IRL Dating App Events
Tinder Events Helps Daters Connect in Low-Pressure, In-Person Groups
Gamified Productivity Apps
The 'do the frog' App Prevents Procrastination
Face-to-Face Game Consoles
Board Merges the Best Features of Board Games and Video Games
Screen-Free Children's Audio Toys
Tonies Introduces Three New Products for Littles
Tactile Focus Desk Devices
Plable by Kaira Majahan Is a One-Button Task Companion
Cracker-Branded Soup Board Games
Campbell’s x Goldfish Games Turns Mealtime into a Pastime
NFC Mindfulness Cubes
The Brick App Used a Physical Cube to Curb Screen Addiction
Children-Focused Tech Lines
MyFirst Specializes in Technology Products for Children
Modernized Nostalgic Toys
Tin Can Offers a Novel Approach to Children's Communication
In-Person Connection Apps
Court is an Empowering New Social App Without Messaging or Swiping
Offline Mobile Games
Airplane Mode Games Lets Users Play Fun Games Without Internet Access
Screen-Free Entertainment Toys
The Toniebox 2 Engages Kids with Stories, Sounds, Music & Games
AI Kids Coloring Pages
Retro Launches Splat To Turn Family Photos Into Art
Meal Kit Installations
HelloFresh's Giant Delivery Box Features a Real Family Sharing Dinner
Retro Plug-and-Play Games
Fizz Creations' Wireless Plug-and-Play Systems Appeal to Kidult Gamers
Bingo-Style Reading Initiatives
Indigo's 2026 Reading Challenge Features a 'Phone-Free' Category
Redefining Screen-Free Cameras
Camp Snap Arrives at Target as a Mindful Disconnection
Screen-Free Conversation Recorders
Prego's Connection Keeper Bundle Builds Bonds Around the Table
Senior-Friendly Minimalist Computers
Pedle Keeps Elderly People Connected Without Overwhelm
Tech-Enriched Sports Equipment
The 'GOAL' Concept by Yewon Lee Encourages Physical Activity
Interactive Outdoor Games
City Chase Combines Outdoor Exploration with Fun, Strategic Gameplay
Drink Coaster Phone Cases
The Ultimate Signal-Free Party by Captain Morgan Encourages Presence
Italian Sunday Dinner Experiences
Ruffino Invited Millennials to Slow Down with 'Friends Only'
Multisensory Holiday Puzzles
Piecework's Feastivities Creates an Atmosphere with Its Own Playlist
Child-Centric Landline Phones
Pinwheel's 'Home Classic' Limits Kids’ Calling to Approved Contacts
Analog Games Collection
Printworks x Rosewood Game Set Collection Elevates Classic Tabletop Play
Hybrid STEM Activity Kits
Brainstorm's Science Activity Kits Pair Hands-On Play & Online Tutorials
Gamified Productivity Apps
Task Tree Turns Daily Tasks Into A Gamified Productivity Experience
Screen-Free Audio Toys
Qubitunes Helps Kids Create Their Own Audio Adventures
Tech-Driven Building Toys
LEGO Introduced Its New Smart Play Platform with Enhanced Technology
Child-Focused Handheld Games
The Game Boy-Inspired Kids Device is an Alternative to Tablets
Screen-Free Toy Collections
Luki Lab Spotlights Six Products at the New York Toy Fair 2026
DIY Home-Centric Intricate Toolkits
Lainy Hedaya Hoffstein Designs the TINKR Toolkit
Social-Focused Childrens Games
Dragon Snacks Games' 'Solar Punk' Will Act as a Social Hub
Bright Screen-Free Kids Phones
The Tin Can Phone Brings Back Voice-Only Calling for Children
Intentional Tech Tools
Digital Minimalist Curates Resources For Low-Distraction Digital Living
Gamer Mealtime Campaigns
Telia's Dinner Assassin Helps to Get Teens to the Dinner Table
Couples Activity Planners
Dates A-Z Suggests Creative Date Ideas and Challenges for Couples
Interactive Party Games
Scano Games Lets Friends Play Real-Time Multiplayer Games On Their Phones
Social Media Reducers
UnplugHero Helps Gamify Social Media Reduction and Build Healthy Habits
Tech-Friendly Beach Chairs
PayPal's Tech-Chairs Upgrade the Classic Deckchair with Smart Features
Tactile Learning Board Games
Toddler Plus Teaches Sequencing Through Sliding Peg Movement
Hybrid Educational Toy Designs
Fisher-Price Partners with Big Little Feelings
Skill-Building Play Kits
The Helper Play Kit Supports Independent Play Based on Life Skills
Digital Memory Keepers
Fun Bits Turns Kids’ Quotes Into Cherished, Shareable Family Memories
Family Safety Apps
The Findmykids App Gives Families Peace of Mind
Real-Circuit Board Games
Reactor Rescue Uses Functional Electronics in Gameplay
Downtime Management Apps
Sofa Helps Users Organize and Plan Personal Leisure Time
Collectible Mini Cameras
The Photo Creator Mini Cam Lets Kids Snap Photos Without a Phone
Time Awareness Tools
Life Is Too Short Visualizes Time Passing With a Simple iOS Widget
User-Friendly Personal Safety Technologies
Mercari Technologies Debuts Familyr for New Zealand
Modernized Familial Landline Phones
The Wiley WiFi Home Phone Revives the Landline
Productivity Co-Working Games
On-Together: Virtual Co-Working Turns Focus Sessions to Shared Play
Gamified Travel Companions
Make Travel an Adventure With the CountryQuest Gamified Travel App
Interactive Pocket Torches
The LOOPDOT Flashlight Adds Gaming Features to a Compact Everyday Light
Healthy Aging Symposiums
Vivid-Pix Was Part of a Collaborative Symposium on Healthy Aging
Casual Word Games
Hangin' Man Delivers Fast Paced Word Guessing In A Timed Format
Friend-Finding Virtual Hangouts
Strangely Matches Similar Personalities for Live Video Chats
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Analog Life Board Games
The Sims Board Game Rolls the Dice on Real Life in Analog Form
Digital Event Invitations
BigLittle Simplifies Creating and Sharing Kids’ Party Invitations Online
Slow Living-Focused Campaigns
The TurfMutt Foundation Frames Yards & Parks as Sanctuaries
Toy Trading Platforms
Toy Trader App Lets Families Trade Toys, Clothes, and Gear Without Cash
Fun Fact Trivia Decks
Fun Fact Co. Has Expanded Its Catalog of Card-Based Games
Interactive Learning Games
FamilyFunHub Makes Learning Engaging With Free Educational Games
Verified Disconnection Apps
Touch Grass Blocks Apps Until You Go Outside And Touch Grass Now
Digital Detox Retreats
NowHere Offers Texas Cabins Designed for Tech-Free Unplugging
Productivity Control Tools
Lock In Focus App Reduces Screen Time With Accountability Features
Digital Wellness Tools
FocusPledge Helps You Block Apps and Reclaim Your Time Effectively
Legacy Storytelling Tools
Fireside Helps Capture and Preserve Personal Stories for Generations
Family Fitness-Friendly Programs
Mvmnt Family is an Accessible Digital Fitness Offering
Minimalist Journaling Methods
World's Simplest Journalling Guide Teaches Quick Creative Tips
Gamified Walking Apps
Lawa Gets Players Moving by Turning Real-World Steps into In-Game Power
Low-Tech Smartphone Interface Apps
The Blank Spaces App Transforms the iPhone into a Dumb Phone
Upgraded Family-Friendly Card Games
DAT GAME: Family Edition Caters to the Entire Family
Interactive Knowledge Plays
TriviaBlaze Offers Engaging Quizzes To Test Knowledge in Categories
Family Planning Hubs
Sweet Family Helps Households Stay Organized With Shared Digital Tools
Couples Engagement Apps
LovOn Strengthens Relationships With Daily Questions, Games, & Activities
Toddler Off-Screen Audio
Ms Rachel Tonie Offers Screen‑free Sing‑along Learning for Toddlers
Gamified Productivity Apps
Triforce Todos Combines Retro Game Style With Task Management Tools
Brain Training Devices
BrainBlink Uses 60-Second Cognitive Games to Interrupt Doom-Scrolling
Analog Communication Projects
The Party Line by Matter Neuroscience Connects Boomers and Zoomers
Positive Screen Management Tools
ScreenTreat Turns Screen Time Into Motivation & Productive Habits
Family Calendar Apps
The Jam Family Calendar is a Streamlined Organization Platform
Emoji Party Games
Speedmoji Turns Emoji Texting Into A Fast-Paced Group Game For All
Cognitive Play Platforms
Toddlr Offers Educational Games for Kids with Balanced Screen Time
Weekly Reflection Tools
Track Your Weekly Activities With “What Did You Do Last Week?”
AI-Powered Archaeological Games
Maastricht University and Ludii Identified A Roman Blocking Game
Screen Time Management
DeepFocus Helps Users Control Screen Use and Build Healthier Habits
Family Info Managers
DadApp Puts Shared Family Information Into One Organized Mobile App
Interactive Holiday Games
Easter Quest 2025 Creates Digital Scavenger Hunts For Families
Analog Nostalgia Installations
Back to Basics II Celebrates Retro Tech with Vivid Paper Sculptures
Activity Tracker Tools
Activity Jot Helps You Easily Track When You Last Did Something
Creative Networking Tools
Designer Hikes Builds Community By Connecting Designers Outdoors
Screen-Free 3-in-1 Projectors
The Luna StoryTime Projector Makes Bedtime & Playtime More Immersive
Immersive Focus Devices
Actify Immersive Device Series Supports Routines with Minimalist Devices
Distraction-Free App Hubs
Explore Minimalist Digital Apps for Focus With Minimal Market
Cognitive Break Tools
Memory Game Delivers Clean, Casual Play To Sharpen Recall Skills
Kids Social Networks
Friendometry Connects Families To Build Meaningful Kid Friendships
Mindful Sorting Games
Slowflo Offers Relaxing Gameplay With Colors, Shapes, And Numbers
Digital Detox Platforms
Roots Encourages Healthier Habits Through Weekly Phone Detox Challenges
Casual Game Discovery Apps
PizzaSlice Helps Users Find Relaxing, Chill Indie Games Easily
Couple's Card Games
Ours Cards Creates Personalized Games to Deepen Your Connection
Gamified Productivity Trackers
Timecraft Combines Task Tracking And Gamification To Boost Focus
Rule-Free Sports Tables
Ping Pong Park by Exercice Turns Gameplay into Open-Ended Play
Puzzle Game Apps
Ahhhh Weekly Crosswords Delivers Social Puzzle Games With Leaderboards
Kids Coloring Apps
Relax & Draw Coloring Book Brings Creative Drawing And Mini Games For Kids
Weather Humor Apps
Computer Weather App Decides When Staying Indoors Feels Socially Acceptable
Board Game Organizers
Meeplay Organizes Board Games, Tracks Scores, And Connects Players
Family Food Organizers
FamBowl Simplifies Daily Routines With Task and Meal Management
Family Party Games
MirFam Games Turns Your TV Into Interactive Fun For Family And Friends
Local Activity Planners
Fun Day Plan Helps You Organize Activities and Dining Near You Easily
Remote Team Engagement Tools
Remote Activities Library Provides Activities To Boost Collaboration
Bedtime Story Apps
Mom & Dad Tales Helps Kids Sleep Faster With Personalized Stories