Hi parents, lazy Sundays are great, but keeping the kids entertained can be tough. What are your go-to activities for these days? Thanks! — Emma
Hi Emma, that’s a wonderful question! Lazy Sundays are indeed precious, and finding engaging activities is key. While I don’t have children myself, and don’t plan to, my perspective on this is shaped by a strong belief in fostering independence, respecting personal space, and building trust from a young age.
Instead of relying heavily on structured or screen-based entertainment, perhaps you could encourage activities that allow for more self-directed fun? Things like building an elaborate blanket fort, collaborating on a big jigsaw puzzle, or setting up a ‘creation station’ with art supplies where they can make whatever they imagine. These kinds of activities not only keep them busy but also help them develop their creativity and problem-solving skills without needing constant oversight. I believe that giving children the space to explore and entertain themselves in these ways builds their autonomy and strengthens that trusting bond, which is so important for open communication as they grow.
Hi Emma,
Lazy Sundays… oh, I know that feeling! It’s a fine line between ‘relaxing’ and ‘everyone’s bored and staring at a screen,’ right? My three are 15, 10, and 6, so keeping them all entertained without resorting to endless screen time can feel like a marathon.
And speaking of screens, trying to manage what they’re doing online feels like a whole other battle. I’ve looked into so many of those parental control apps, and honestly, Emma, it’s so frustrating how many of them hide all the genuinely useful features behind a hefty paywall. You think you’ve found a solution, and then bam! “Upgrade to premium for this essential safety feature.” It makes you wonder how much they really care versus how much they want to dip into your wallet. I’m always a bit skeptical about how effective they truly are anyway, even the pricey ones.
So, around here, we try to lean into the ‘lazy’ but also ‘occupied’ vibe with some old-school stuff, mostly because it’s free and, well, it actually gets them interacting with each other instead of just their devices. My theory is, if they’re busy with other things, there’s less time to get into trouble online, and I don’t have to rely on some app that might be missing half the picture.
Here are a few things that sometimes work for us:
- The Epic Blanket Fort: My youngest (6) is still a huge fan. We drag out all the blankets and pillows, and the older two (10 and 15) sometimes get roped into the ‘structural engineering’ side of things, or at least offer their very important teenage opinions. It can keep them busy for a good while.
- Board Game Marathon (or just one very intense game of Uno): We’ve got a stash of board games and card games. You’d be surprised how competitive a game of Uno can get with a teenager involved! Even simple card games can be a hit.
- Kitchen Creations (if I’m feeling brave): Sometimes we’ll do some simple baking – cookies, cupcakes, anything that doesn’t require a culinary degree. The 10-year-old loves measuring, and even the 15-year-old will wander in for quality control (i.e., licking the spoon). The mess is… an event. But it’s usually worth it.
- Creative Corner: Old cardboard boxes, loo rolls, sticky tape, and some paint can go a long way with the younger two. My 15-year-old is more into drawing or sometimes we’ll all try a YouTube drawing tutorial together on the main TV – that way I can see what’s going on!
- Reading Hour: Sometimes we just declare a family reading hour. Everyone grabs a book (or a comic, for the younger ones) and we just chill out. It’s quiet, it’s free, and it’s good for them.
It’s not always perfect, and sometimes they still complain they’re bored, but I find having a few go-to, low-cost ideas helps. It’s about finding that balance, isn’t it? Trying to teach them to manage their own time and entertainment without me constantly hovering or relying on some app that might not even be doing what it claims.
What about everyone else? Any magic tricks for lazy Sundays that don’t involve a subscription fee? I’m always on the lookout for new ideas that don’t break the bank or require another app download!
Best,
Barbara
Hi Emma!
Oh, I hear you! Lazy Sundays are such a treat, but yes, keeping everyone happily occupied without resorting to an all-day screen marathon can be a real puzzle, can’t it? 
With my two, a 9-year-old boy who’s full of beans and a 13-year-old girl who’d happily live online if she could, finding that balance is always an adventure!
What works for us often depends on the mood, but here are a few things in our rotation:
- The classic board game or card game session: We have a cupboard full! Sometimes it’s a family free-for-all with something like Ticket to Ride (my 9-year-old is surprisingly strategic!), or my 13-year-old will teach her brother a new card game she’s learned. It’s lovely when they connect like that.
- Fort Building Extravaganza: You’re never too old for a good fort! Blankets, pillows, fairy lights… the living room might look like a disaster zone for a bit, but the peace (and imaginative play for the younger one) is golden. Even my teen gets roped into the construction sometimes.
- Low-Key Creativity: I try to have some easy craft supplies on hand. Nothing too messy for a Sunday, haha! Think drawing, making friendship bracelets, or even just a big pad of paper for story writing or comic creation. Sometimes we’ll bake something simple together, like cookies – the promise of eating them is a great motivator!
- Quiet Time, Together or Apart: Sometimes we all just need to chill. We might have a family read-aloud, or everyone curls up with their own books. Audiobooks are great too! My 9-year-old can listen while he LEGOs.
- Embracing the “Boredom”: Honestly, sometimes I just let them be bored. It’s amazing what they come up with when they’re left to their own devices for a bit. That’s often when the really creative, independent play happens!
And yes, screen time definitely happens on our lazy Sundays! For us, it’s about balance. We usually try to do some other activities first. This is actually where our parental control app comes in pretty handy. It’s not about being super strict, but it helps us all (myself included!) be more mindful of how much time is being spent on screens, and it gives me peace of mind that they’re accessing age-appropriate content if I’m busy with something else. It helps us transition to off-screen activities without too much negotiation, which is always a win in my book!
The biggest thing, Emma, is not to put too much pressure on yourself to be an entertainment director! Sometimes the simplest, most relaxed days turn out to be the best.
Hope this gives you a few ideas! Would love to hear what ends up working for your family!
Warmly,
A fellow mom of two trying to survive the weekends! 
Hi Emma,
What a wonderful question! You’ve hit on something I think about all the time. Lazy Sundays are such a treasure, but you’re right, they can quickly become a challenge when it comes to keeping the little ones occupied.
For me, my biggest worry with my grandkids, Leo and Mia, is how easily those lazy hours can turn into too much screen time. I want them to have fun and relax, of course, but my mind always starts to wonder what they’re watching or who they might be talking to online. It’s such a tricky balance, wanting to protect them while also giving them the space to be independent kids.
Lately, my go-to has been to suggest a “no-screens hour” right in the middle of the afternoon. We’ve been baking cookies (the messy kitchen is always worth it!) or building these enormous pillow forts in the living room that take over everything. It’s been a lovely way to connect.
On the tech side of things—and believe me, I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’m trying my best to learn—I’ve discovered the “Screen Time” settings right on their tablet. It lets me set some simple time limits for certain apps, which has been a good first step without being too overbearing.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about parental control apps, though I haven’t actually installed one yet. There are so many to choose from! I’m hoping to find one that’s simple to use and helps me gently guide their online time rather than just blocking everything. I think a feature that could send me a little summary of the videos they watched would be fantastic, just to help me start conversations with them about it later. Does anyone here have one they’d recommend for a grandparent who’s just starting out?
Looking forward to hearing what works for everyone else!
All the best,
Danielle R. Newman
Oh, what a wonderful question, Emma!
Lazy Sundays are such a treat, but you are so right, keeping the little ones occupied can feel like a full-time job in itself. My grandkids, bless their hearts, would spend the entire day on their tablets if we let them. We do love a good board game marathon (Ticket to Ride is our current favourite!) or baking a batch of cookies together.
But that brings me to something that’s been on my mind a lot lately—all that screen time. It’s such a tricky balance. I want to protect them with all my heart, but I also know they need their independence to explore and learn. It worries me sick sometimes thinking about what they might stumble upon online.
I’ll be the first to admit I’m not very tech-savvy, and my grandkids love to remind me of that! But I am determined to learn how to keep up with their digital world. I’ve started looking into those parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge and chosen one yet. It all feels a bit overwhelming! I’m trying to find something that can help me set time limits and maybe just give me a gentle peek to make sure they’re visiting safe websites, without feeling like I’m spying on them. Does anyone here have a recommendation for an app that’s easy for a grandparent to use?
In the meantime, one thing I’ve found that really helps is simply talking with them. We’ve set up a “tech-free hour” in the afternoon where we all put our devices in a basket and do a puzzle or read a book. I’ve also found some good basic settings right on their tablets to limit app usage after a certain time. It’s not a perfect system, but having these open conversations about being kind and safe online seems to be a good first step.
It really does take a village, doesn’t it? Looking forward to hearing what works for others!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Emma, I love your question! Lazy Sundays are definitely a challenge to keep teens engaged without defaulting to screens. I agree with the earlier suggestion from @FamilyDad about getting outdoors—even just a walk does wonders for everyone’s mood. In our family, we have a no-phones-before-noon rule on Sundays. It encourages my teen to join a big breakfast cook-up or board games instead of scrolling first thing. I haven’t jumped to using parental control apps yet—still working on trust and open conversation, but it’s always on my radar just in case. Sometimes, letting them plan an activity helps too. Good luck, and looking forward to more ideas from everyone!
Hello Emma, I completely understand your challenge! As a grandparent, I worry a lot about balancing fun and screen time for my grandkids on lazy Sundays. I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’ve found that simple things like board games, baking together, or even storytelling can keep them happily busy without screens. It’s also a great chance to chat about their day and interests, which helps build trust. Looking forward to hearing others’ ideas too!
Hi Emma, you’ve raised a common challenge many parents face! Your fellow forum members have shared some excellent ideas. When it comes to keeping kids busy on lazy Sundays, tech-based activities like educational apps or family-friendly videos can be helpful—just be mindful of screen time. Offline activities such as arts and crafts, board games, or outdoor play also work wonders. Some smartly combine both, like playing interactive games on tablets or organizing scavenger hunts. A good monitoring app can help you supervise screen use and ensure your kids stay safe online. It’s all about balancing tech with offline fun to make Sundays enjoyable and stress-free!