5 Simple Ways to Make Your Holidays Screen-Free and Magical

Picture This: A Holiday Reset

The holidays are here, and our RV is parked in the heart of a snowy winter wonderland. The scent of cookies baking wafts through the air as snow piles up outside. It sounds magical, right? But instead of soaking it all in, my family was glued to screens. I was endlessly scrolling for RV-friendly holiday gear, the kids were hypnotized by cartoons, and my partner was laughing at TikTok videos.

That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t the holiday magic I had envisioned. So, we made a bold decision—to unplug, step outside, and rediscover what the holidays are truly about. And you know what? It was the best decision we’ve ever made.

Research shows excessive screen time can interfere with kids’ social skills, disrupt sleep, and add unnecessary stress for parents during the holidays. But it doesn’t have to be this way. This season, let’s pause the scrolling and embrace screen-free fun. The reward? A holiday filled with laughter, connection, and memories that don’t involve Wi-Fi.

Step 1: Create Screen-Free Holiday Traditions

🎄 Establish a “No-Screens-Allowed” Zone

Designate screen-free spaces or times during the holidays. Whether it’s the dinner table, gift unwrapping, or family game night, set boundaries to make the most of these moments.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Scrabble Junior Board Game

Why It’s Great: A fun way to get the whole family involved while sneaking in a little learning.

Customer Review: “It quickly became a holiday favorite—perfect for game night!”

Step 2: Make Holiday Prep a Family Bonding Experience

🎅 DIY Decorations and Baking Nights

Last year, our toddler held up a gingerbread cookie that resembled…well, a snowman mid-meltdown. Flour dusted every surface, and the cookies were more “crispy” than planned. But the pride on their face and the giggles we shared made it the sweetest memory of the season.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Holiday Cookie Cutter Set

Why It’s Great: Perfect for unleashing creativity with fun shapes.

Customer Review: “We spent hours decorating cookies—it was so much more personal than store-bought treats.”

Step 3: Rediscover the Magic of the Outdoors

❄️ Snow Play and Winter Adventures

Bundle up and embrace the chill. Sledding, building snowmen, or a good old-fashioned snowball fight can create unforgettable memories. No snow? A family hike or scenic holiday walk works wonders, too.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Kids’ Snow Play Kit

Why It’s Great: Includes tools for snow castles, forts, and epic snowmen.

Customer Review: “My kids spent hours creating a mini snow village!”

Step 4: Bring Stories to Life

📖 Family Read-Aloud Nights

Pick a holiday classic and take turns reading it aloud. The Polar Express is a favorite in our RV. We dim the lights, snuggle under blankets, and hang fairy lights for the perfect cozy vibe. Hearing our toddler mispronounce “hot chocolate” always brings the biggest laughs.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Holiday Storybook Collection

Why It’s Great: A curated selection of festive tales to spark imagination.

Customer Review: “Even my teenager joined in—these stories bring us together.”

Step 5: Capture Moments, Not Likes

📸 Create a Family Scrapbook

This year, we swapped phone photos for a hands-on approach: an old-fashioned scrapbook. Everyone picked their favorite snapshots (our toddler chose 12 blurry pictures of the dog), and we spent an afternoon laughing and decorating pages. It was messy but infinitely more meaningful than scrolling Instagram.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Instax Mini Instant Camera

Why It’s Great: Instant memories with prints you can hold.

Customer Review: “The kids loved using this at our holiday party—our photo wall is a hit!”

A Holiday Challenge

This season, I challenge you to unplug and create moments that matter. Whether it’s baking cookies, building snowmen, or reading holiday classics, let’s make this a holiday to remember.

Do you have a favorite screen-free holiday tradition? I’d love to hear about it—share it in the comments!

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.