I don’t know about you, but for me, weekday afternoon slump is real. My kids come home from kindergarten, sometimes hungry but full of energy like they’ve taken some sort of superpower drink, and I ask myself, How is it this even possible? Screen-free afternoon might sound dreamy, but the truth is that they don’t happen on their own, and if I don’t have a plan for our afternoons, my kids will reach for the TV remote before they even take off their shoes.

So here’s what I actually do in my home to create a good balance:

Most importantly, I make sure it doesn’t take me more than 10 minutes to set up, but also make sure it’s something my kids won’t get bored with quickly.

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1. Snacks Come First

Have you ever wondered why kids act like they haven’t eaten in days after school (for me, it’s kindergarten)? When you know the answer, please come tell me, because it’s always been a mystery to me. That after-kindergarten hunger is real, very real.

I try to have snacks prepped and ready before they get home, like a plate of apple slices or a bowl of strawberries, which they love so much. Doing this makes a huge difference; it keeps everyone, including me, calmer and makes the transition into play smoother. Having snacks prepped and ready for them when they get back always works for me, and saves me the whines and cries at least for that moment.

One thing I love to do and love so much is snack platters, with a variety of colours and textures. It really does feel fun and keeps my kids satisfied until dinner. I especially love how Sarah Remmer talks about snack boards for kids here.

2. I Set the Tone Early

So I learned quickly that if I wait until my kids are already home to figure out what we’ll do, it’s literal chaos, and I’m talking fussy children kind of chaos, so to avoid that, I do a little prep beforehand. Before I go to pick them up, I decide and plan what they’re gonna do when they get back. I lay out a mix of activities that I’m sure they would enjoy and would keep them busy for at least 30 minutes, such as:

  • Magnetic tiles: Because magnetic tiles offer open-ended play, I take advantage of that and try to get creative by creating different play ideas surrounding them and don’t just depend on my kids building only towers with the tiles, because then they get bored, and it’s back to “Mama, mama, I’m bored.” You can check out my post on how to use magnetic tiles for hours of fun for more easy play ideas.
  • A super simple craft they can do mostly on their own: So for this one, I prep supplies such as toilet paper rolls, coloured papers, crayons, glue stick, googly eyes and even colouring sheets. Or sometimes I just doodle things on white paper for them to colour or design as they wish. I stick to these supplies because they are mess-friendly and safe for my kids to use. I lay these out for them, and it makes them feel like they get to decide on what they’re crafting today. I’ve noticed that laying out the craft supplies for them without interfering keeps them creating for longer, and that works for me, too.

3. We go to an extracurricular activity

I recently put my girls in a kids’ yoga class that we go to every Tuesday. It’s such a relief knowing that once a week, they’ll be somewhere other than home or kindergarten, moving their bodies, learning something new, and most importantly, keeping their minds and eyes off screens. It gives them a positive outlet and gives me peace of mind knowing they’re doing something good for themselves.

Why This Works for Me

This routine isn’t perfect because there are days when this plan fails and the screens crawl in, and that’s okay, I guess. But by prepping a little, feeding them first, and giving them easy access to activities, I’ve been able to create a rhythm that’s manageable for me and fun for my kids. The truth is, I’m not sure how long this routine is going to last, but I’m just sure that right now, at this very moment, it’s working for me, and for now, that’s all I need.

So, if you’re a busy mom, a stay-at-home mom, or a not-so-crafty mom, I just want to say that it’s possible to create screen-free afternoons (that’s if you haven’t created one already), all you need to do is keep it simple, at your own pace, repeatable, and flexible, and I’m sure you’ll find your rhythm too.