Let’s talk about that wild window between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m.—you know the one. The dinner prep hours where everything seems to fall apart.
Everyone’s hungry. Everyone’s tired. And somehow, everyone is magnetically glued to me while I’m just trying to chop onions without crying (for more than one reason).
As a teacher and a mom, I get it. I’ve spent years experimenting with ways to keep my kids occupied during that pre-dinner chaos without relying on screens—and believe me, I’ve caved plenty of times. But when I finally figured out a few simple, screen-free activities that actually worked, I realized we didn’t have to default to TV every evening.
These 15 ideas are tried-and-true, kid-approved, and most importantly—they actually buy me the time I need to cook dinner in peace (most nights).
1. Sticker Book Challenge
Pull out a sticker book (or a blank notebook and a pile of stickers), and challenge your child to make a scene, tell a story, or even “design a room.” You’d be surprised how long they’ll stay focused with a little sticker inspiration.
2. Build a Lego Scene from a Book
Have them grab a favorite book, flip to any page, and build a Lego version of the scene. It combines creativity, engineering, and reading all in one activity—and it’s quiet!
3. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Challenge your child to find an item for each letter of the alphabet around the house. You can set a timer and make it a race. My kids love this one, and it buys me a good 20–30 minutes.
4. Pillowcase Puppet Show
Give them a flashlight and a few puppets (or socks with faces drawn on them!), and send them to a hallway or under the table. Let them put on a puppet show for the “audience” (aka the cat, the stuffed animals, or each other).
5. Make-Your-Own Paper Airplane Races
Give them some paper, markers, and a challenge: make three airplanes and test which one flies the farthest. Bonus points for naming their planes and giving them backstories!
6. Draw a Menu for Dinner
This is a favorite in our house. I’ll tell them what’s actually for dinner, and they’ll go “play restaurant” by drawing a menu, naming the meal, and pretending to take my order. We’ve had nights where we dined at “Chez Pagel” or “McPagel’s Burger Bistro”—complete with a paper napkin folded into a swan.
7. Dinner Hour Bingo
I created a bingo board with a mix of silly challenges and calming tasks—like “water paint outside,” “build a lego shape,” or “find something for each letter of the alphabet.” It gives them independence and choice while still staying structured.
👉 Grab your Dinner Hour Bingo board here!
8. Copy a Picture from a Favorite Book
Let them choose a picture from a favorite picture book or graphic novel and try to draw it on paper. Sometimes I give them a “fancy” pen or clipboard to make it feel more official.
9. Guess-That-Sound Game
Send them to the kitchen with a few pots, pans, and a spoon (carefully chosen!), and have them play “guess that sound.” One child makes a sound; the other guesses what made it. It keeps the noise in one room and adds a sensory twist.
10. Write a Note to Someone They Miss
Have them write a quick letter or make a card for a grandparent, cousin, or teacher they haven’t seen in a while. It gives them purpose and lets them practice writing in a meaningful way.
11. Find Five Blue Things and Make a Sculpture
This one is open-ended and creative. “Find five blue things that are safe to use—and build a sculpture!” You can switch up the color or number every night.
12. Practice Tying Shoes (on a Stuffed Animal)
If you’re working on this life skill, try giving them a stuffed animal with shoes or even a cardboard cutout with real laces. It’s quiet, focused, and productive.
13. Design a Superhero Costume
Tell them to imagine a new superhero and draw their costume, name their powers, and make up a backstory. You can even ask them to “reveal” it after dinner in a superhero walk!
14. Water Painting
No mess, no cleanup. Give them a bowl of water and a paintbrush and let them “paint” the driveway, fence, or sidewalk outside. It disappears like magic—and keeps them happily busy.
15. Quiet Reading in a Blanket Fort
This is our go-to on days when everyone’s a little tired or cranky. Help them throw a blanket over a few chairs, fill it with pillows and books, and call it the “Dinner Reading Tent.”
Bonus Tip: Let Them Help
If they want to be near you while you cook, give them a real job: washing produce, stirring ingredients, peeling garlic, or writing down the grocery list for next time. The kitchen is full of natural learning opportunities—math, science, following directions—and it builds confidence.
Real Talk: Screen-Free Isn’t Always Easy
Some days I still hand over the iPad while I stir spaghetti sauce. That’s okay too. But having a handful of go-to activities ready before dinner prep starts can make a huge difference in your evening.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection. And giving kids meaningful screen-free options helps them learn to manage boredom, entertain themselves, and feel like a part of the family rhythm.
If you want an easy place to start, try our printable Dinner Hour Bingo board—ready to use tonight!
Let me know which activity your kids loved most—or share your own go-to dinner prep survival strategy in the comments!
