Printable Activity Ideas

10 Screen-Free Printable Activities Kids Actually Want to Do

Screen-free time doesn’t have to mean fighting over what to do next. Printable activities for kids are one of the simplest tools a parent or teacher can have — you print once, hand it over, and watch concentration kick in. No batteries, no Wi-Fi, no fuss. Whether you’re at the kitchen table, in the car, or setting up a classroom station, a good printable activity page can fill twenty minutes of focused, joyful work.

  1. 1. Coloring Pages

    A classic for good reason — printable coloring pages for kids let them slow down, focus, and make something beautiful. Use crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Great for any age and endlessly reusable when you print extras.

  2. 2. Connect-the-Dots

    Numbered connect-the-dot sheets sneak in number recognition and fine motor practice while kids are just having fun. The big reveal at the end — seeing the hidden picture emerge — never gets old. Perfect for elementary-age kids.

  3. 3. Find the Differences

    Spot-the-difference puzzles train kids to look carefully and think critically. Print two copies of the same scene with subtle differences and challenge them to find all 8 (or 10, or 12!). Great for a quiet afternoon activity.

  4. 4. Treasure Maps

    Print a simple treasure map and hide a small prize somewhere in the house or yard. Kids love the adventure of following clues and landmarks. You can reuse the same map with a new hiding spot every time for endless Boathouse Adventure-style fun.

  5. 5. Word Searches

    Pick a theme your kids love — animals, seasons, their favorite book characters — and print a word search to match. Printable activity pages like these build vocabulary and spelling awareness without feeling like schoolwork.

  6. 6. Simple Mazes

    Mazes are wonderful screen-free activities for kids because they build problem-solving skills naturally. Start with wide-path beginner mazes for younger kids and work up to tighter, more complex layouts as they get the hang of it.

  7. 7. Paper Folding & Origami

    Print simple origami instruction sheets and let kids follow along to fold frogs, boats, or paper airplanes. This combines reading comprehension, spatial reasoning, and the very satisfying experience of making something with your hands.

  8. 8. Story Sequencing Cards

    Print out a simple 4–6 panel story strip (scrambled), cut the panels apart, and ask kids to put them in order. Wonderful printable activity pages for elementary students — and a great reading comprehension warmup for any age.

  9. 9. Nature Journaling Sheets

    Print a simple nature journal template with boxes for drawings and lines for notes. Then send kids outside to observe one thing closely — a leaf, a bug, a cloud — and sketch and describe it. Screen-free AND outdoors.

  10. 10. Mini Board Games & Dice Games

    A printable game board, two dice, and a handful of coins as playing pieces is all you need for an afternoon of play. Printable coloring pages for kids are great, but a printable game can keep a whole group busy for an hour or more.

Ready-to-print Boathouse Adventure printables

If you’re looking for ready-to-print activity pages, we’ve put together a set of Boathouse Adventure printables that cover several of these — coloring pages, puzzles, connect-the-dots, and more. All instant downloads you can print at home in minutes. Great for Boathouse Adventure fans and any kid who loves a good story.

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Grab a free printable coloring page for kids — no email required.

Explore the Boathouse Adventure Universe

Learn about Ann Rollins’s Boathouse Adventure book series — and discover the coloring pages and activity packs that bring the stories to life at home.

Explore the Boathouse Adventure world →

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3 beginner corgi embroidery patterns you can stitch this weekend — instant PDF download, print at home.

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Homeschool Printables Your Kids Will Actually Want to Do

Printable coloring pages, activity packs, and puzzle sheets perfect for homeschool families — instant download, no prep needed.

See the homeschool printables guide →

Ann Rollins Adventure Printables • Printable Activity Pages for Kids