Read time: 6 minutes | Age range: 0–18 years
If you've been reading around My Parent PlayBook for a while, you've probably come across more than one resource on screen-free parenting. And if you're wondering which one is actually right for your family — or whether you need more than one — this post is for you.
We have four screen-free resources, and they're deliberately different. Each one is designed for a different parent, a different problem, and a different stage of the journey. This post maps them clearly so you can choose the one that fits where you are right now.
The Quick Answer (30-Second Version)
- Just starting out and want something low-commitment? → Screen-Free Week Challenge
- Child won't play independently and you need a break? → The Boredom Toolkit
- Want to build family memories and real connection across all ages? → Before They Grow Up
- Ready for a full system reset — habits, rhythms, culture? → Raise Them Present
Choose by your biggest problem right now
| "Screens are the only thing that keeps my child busy while I work" | Boredom Toolkit |
| "Every time I turn screens off there's a meltdown" | Screen-Free Week Challenge |
| "We're not connecting as a family the way we used to" | Before They Grow Up |
| "I've tried cutting screens before and it never sticks" | Raise Them Present |
| "I'm not sure yet — I just know something needs to change" | Screen-Free Week Challenge |
Read on for the full breakdown.
1. Screen-Free Week Challenge — The 7-Day Family Reset
Best for:
Families who want a structured, practical reset to screen habits — without going cold turkey or triggering a week of meltdowns.
Ages:
2–10
What it is:
A complete printable PDF guide built around the 3R Screen Reset™ — Remove, Replace, Repeat. Includes a 3-Day Screen Habit Audit, 7-Day Family Tracker, 24 Swap Cards, 12 "I'm Bored" Cards, daily challenge missions, and a fridge reference poster. Designed to be used immediately, not planned for someday.
This is the right starting point if:
- You want to understand your family's screen patterns before making changes — the 3-Day Audit does exactly that
- You want something visual and tactile that your child can participate in (the fridge tracker is surprisingly motivating for ages 3–7)
- You want to start this week with a clear day-by-day plan
- You want a structured challenge before committing to a longer-term system
This is NOT the right fit if:
- You need a long-term habit and culture reset beyond 7 days (that's Raise Them Present)
- Your child is under 2 or over 10
2. The Boredom Toolkit — Activities & Independent Play
Best for:
Parents whose main challenge is keeping kids engaged and playing independently without handing over a screen — especially while working from home or managing other demands.
Ages:
2–10
What it is:
50+ screen-free, independent activity ideas plus practical routines for keeping kids engaged while you get things done. Organised by type, age, and available time.
This is the right fit if:
- Your child says "I'm bored" the moment screens go off and genuinely cannot self-direct
- You work from home and need reliable independent play ideas that require minimal setup
- You've reduced screen time but haven't yet built a strong enough alternative activity bank
- You want practical, ready-to-use ideas rather than theory or strategy
This is NOT the right fit if:
- Your primary goal is family connection and togetherness rather than independent play
- You're looking for a full habit or culture reset
3. Before They Grow Up — Connection & Family Memories
Best for:
Parents who feel that screens have taken something from their family — the spontaneous laughter, the shared moments, the sense that childhood is passing too quickly — and who want to actively reclaim it.
Ages:
0–18
What it is:
A guide to screen-free activities designed to build genuine family connection, shared memories, and the kind of moments that children carry into adulthood. Covers the full age range from newborn to 18.
This is the right fit if:
- You have children across a wide age range and need ideas that work for everyone
- You want to be intentional about creating family memories, not just reducing screen time
- The feeling driving you is less "my child watches too much" and more "we're not connecting like we should"
- You want activities that bring the whole family together, not just keep the kids occupied
This is NOT the right fit if:
- You're primarily looking for independent play ideas or a structured reset plan
- Your children are all under 4 (the Screen-Free Week Challenge or Raise Them Present will serve you better)
4. Raise Them Present — The Complete Screen-Free System
Best for:
Families who want to go beyond individual activities or short challenges and build a complete, sustainable family system around screens, connection, and everyday rhythms.
Ages:
Newborn to 18
What it is:
The complete screen-free connection guide for families. Includes a 30-Day Family Reset Plan, screen-free rituals for every age and stage, scripts for the hard moments (transitions, meltdowns, pushback), and a full framework for rebuilding family culture around presence over screens.
This is the right fit if:
- You've tried reducing screens before and it hasn't stuck — and you want to understand why, and fix it properly
- You want a long-term system, not a one-week challenge
- You have children across multiple ages and need a framework that scales
- Connection — not just screen reduction — is your real goal
- You finished the Screen-Free Week Challenge and want to keep going
This is NOT the right fit if:
- You're just starting out and want to test the waters first (start with the Screen-Free Week Challenge)
- Your main need is a quick activity bank (The Boredom Toolkit is faster to deploy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Screen-Free Week Challenge | Boredom Toolkit | Before They Grow Up | Raise Them Present | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Printable PDF + digital guide | Digital guide | Digital guide | Digital guide |
| Ages | 2–10 | 2–10 | 0–18 | 0–18 |
| Best for | Getting started | Independent play | Family connection | Complete reset |
| Main problem solved | "Where do we start?" | "My child is bored without screens" | "We're not connecting enough" | "Our screen habits need to change" |
| Commitment | Low | Low | Flexible | Higher |
| Time to see results | 7 days | Immediate | Ongoing | 30 days |
| Not ideal if… | You need a full long-term system | You need screen rules or habit change | You mainly need independent play | You only want quick activities |
| Pairs well with | Raise Them Present | Raise Them Present | Raise Them Present | Screen-Free Week Challenge (entry point) |
Do You Need More Than One?
Most families do not need to buy everything at once. Start with the resource that addresses the most immediate problem you're facing, and add a second one only when a new need becomes clear.
That said, the resources are designed to complement each other rather than compete. Here are the three combinations that make the most sense:
- Screen-Free Week Challenge + Raise Them Present — Test the change with a structured 7-day challenge, then build the long-term system once you know it's working.
- Boredom Toolkit + Raise Them Present — Solve the daily "I'm bored" moments immediately, while laying the foundations of a broader screen culture shift.
- Before They Grow Up + Raise Them Present — Combine intentional family connection activities with the full habit and rhythm reset, for families who want both depth and structure.
If you're genuinely unsure, start with the Screen-Free Week Challenge. It's the lowest barrier to entry and will quickly show you whether the next step is more connection, more activities, or a full system reset.
Which One Should You Start With?
If you're still not sure, answer these two questions:
Question 1: How urgent does this feel?
- "I want to do something this week" — Screen-Free Week Challenge
- "I need ideas I can use today" — Boredom Toolkit
- "Nothing is dramatically wrong — I just want us to spend more meaningful time together" — Before They Grow Up
- "I want to do this properly, once" — Raise Them Present
Question 2: What's your real goal?
- Fewer screens — Screen-Free Week Challenge or Raise Them Present
- More independent play — Boredom Toolkit
- More family connection — Before They Grow Up or Raise Them Present
- All of the above — Raise Them Present, then add the others
Browse all screen-free resources
Screen-Free Week Challenge — Printable 7-day family reset for ages 2–10
The Boredom Toolkit — 50+ independent play activities
Before They Grow Up — Family connection for ages 0–18
Raise Them Present — The complete 30-day screen-free system
Femi Olumeyan
Founder, My Parent PlayBook
Femi is the Founder of My Parent PlayBook and creator of the C-A-L-M Framework — a practical approach to raising emotionally grounded, screen-free children. Through My Parent PlayBook, he helps parents build connection and calm at home without the overwhelm.