Screen-Free Motivation: Fun Ways to Encourage Kids to Try New Things

Screen-Free Motivation: Fun Ways to Encourage Kids to Try New Things

In a world overflowing with screens, inspiring children to try new things can sometimes feel like a challenge. Whether it’s tasting a new food, picking up a book outside their usual favourites, or heading outdoors for a little adventure, kids often need a gentle nudge and a spark of curiosity.

The good news? That spark can come from simple, screen-free activities that make everyday moments feel fun and fresh. With the right ideas, trying new things becomes something children genuinely look forward to.

Start Small and Keep It Fun

New experiences don’t have to be big or serious; they can be tiny, playful changes that add a bit of novelty to a child’s day. Here are a few easy, low-pressure ways to introduce something new: 

• Pick one new fruit or snack during the weekly shop and taste it together.
• Choose a library book based on something random, the cover colour, the first line, or even a silly theme.
• Try a new topping on toast or porridge for breakfast.
• Take a slightly different route to school or the park.
• Swap roles: let your child choose a recipe, and you help them make it.

These little moments keep life interesting without feeling like a big task. 

Enjoy the Process (Not the Result) 

Kids are often more willing to try something new when it’s presented as a bit of fun rather than something they have to do. Remember to celebrate the silliness, the exploration, and the “just giving it a go” feeling. 

Some nice ways to encourage this include:

• Having a family chat at dinner: “What’s one new thing we tried today?”
• Creating a “new things” jar where kids can drop notes about little discoveries they’ve made.
• Adding a photograph to a family album as a simple, happy reminder of something they enjoyed trying for the first time. 

Turn Everyday Moments Into Simple Adventures  

Trying new things doesn’t need planning; many opportunities are already hiding in plain sight in your daily routine. And when the whole family joins in, even simple activities feel much more exciting. Children especially love seeing adults experiment, whether you’re cooking a new recipe, learning a craft, or exploring somewhere completely new. 

Here are some activity ideas that can make ordinary days feel that little bit more magical:

• Nature scavenger hunts: find a feather, spot a bird, collect leaves, or identify three different flowers. The Wildlife Trusts has plenty of child-friendly outdoor ideas.
• Mini outdoor challenges: balance on a log, hop between shadows, or try a new playground piece together.
• Kitchen fun: invent a mini recipe, create a smoothie challenge, or try cooking one new dish each week, CBeebies has lots of fun, child-friendly recipe ideas.
• Garden explorers: look for bugs, dig a tiny patch of soil, plant a seed, or start a small nature observation routine.
• At-home “try something new” day: pick a craft none of you have tried, test a new board game, experiment with air-dry clay, or try a DIY science activity!
• Explore new places together: choose a walking route you’ve never taken or visit a different park to make familiar weekends feel fresh.

For days when time or energy is limited, you can still share moments of creativity with mess-free craft ideas that keep things simple while feeling just as fun and new.

Little Keepsakes Make It Memorable

Kids love tangible reminders of fun moments. It doesn’t need to be anything big; a note, a drawing, a found leaf, or a cute little collectable can help them remember something new they enjoyed doing. 

You might want to try:

• Creating a display board of new experiences (collecting tickets, badges and homemade crafts is a great start).
• Making a scrapbook of “things we tried this month” – this is an activity in itself!
• Giving a fun keepsake whenever they complete a themed activity, such as exploring nature or cooking something new. If you like the idea of collecting little keepsakes, Pawprint Family offers some lovely sew on patches that children can enjoy displaying on jackets, bags, and more.
• Displaying a “new things” checklist proudly on the fridge for all to see.
• Creating a progress jar, filled to the top with colourful handwritten notes. 

Kids often enjoy looking back at everything they’ve done, and a little visual reminder can spark ideas for what to try next.

Encouraging Curiosity Every Day

Helping children try new things does not require big plans or dramatic changes, just a bit of playfulness and a willingness to mix things up now and again. With relaxed, screen-free moments woven into everyday life, kids can discover that new experiences are exciting and full of possibility. Screens will always have their place, but choosing hands-on play, fresh air and simple shared activities now and then can bring a lovely sense of balance. Often, it is these small, unplugged adventures that become the memories they treasure most.

Guest Article.