Looking for screen-free activities for kids? A gift for a little one? Maybe a little something to tide you over on a rainy-day, or a teacher-only day? Or, for when you have no idea what to do next during school holidays? We’ve got just the ticket!
I’m constantly looking for screen-free opportunities to keep our kids occupied – not saying they don’t ever get to watch TV or play on an iPad, but I like to keep it to a minimum. Sometimes, it feels like it’s absolutely essential. And other times, it’s just a nice family thing to do together, to sit down for a classic Disney or Pixar movie together.
If you’re looking for some screen-free gifts or activities I found SO MANY at The Warehouse. So, powered by our pals at the big red shed here’s our favourite picks that are light on the wallet, but will certainly buy you some decent playing time!
Capsule x The Warehouse
Sensory Fun
Guys. This might be my greatest ever find. You can get a giant bubble wand from the Warehouse for 70 cents. SEVENTY CENTS. What the heck can you buy for 70 cents anymore!? I am yet to meet a kid – of any age – who doesn’t bloody love a bubble wand (particularly a giant one) – it’s a perfect little gift, and is an excellent way to entertain the kids for a decent chunk of time.
If you’re happy to spend a bit more money, there’s a few more options, including ones that are more automatic – like the Play Studio Bubble Shark ($12), where you just pull the trigger and bubbles fly out of the mouth. Or, the fully hands free version – the Play Studio Mini Bubble Machine ($12), just requires a couple of batteries to send oodles of bubbles flying in the air.
If you know a slime fan (are there any kids that aren’t?), this craze looks to be going nowhere (and having played with a fair few in my time, I gotta say, I get it) and The Warehouse has so many options. They’ve got lots of the Elmers products, which are vital if you want to make your own – Elmer’s Magical Liquid Glue ($12.99 – 258ml) is a great place to start. From there, my God, there are so many options.
We picked up the Zuru Oosh Cotton Candy (30g, $7) which is the most bizarre but fun thing to play with. When you stretch it, the sparkly silver slime becomes glowing fun fluffy foam, that yip, kind of feels like cotton candy. It smells delicious and somehow grows to become over 3000% in size.
We also grabbed a Slimy Smash & Crack ($9) which are insane, but also very fun. You get a little character and then you pop it, crack it and smoosh and mix its insides. It is oddly veeeery satisfying. As are the Play-Doh Super Cloud Slime Cans ($9) and the Zuru Oosh Potion Series ($23).
Activity Books
Maybe it is because of the wonderful memories I have as a kid, that I love to buy activity books for my own kids. I can still remember the feeling of getting new stickers and carefully transferring them to my sticker book, or the joy of opening up the pages of a new paint with water colouring book.
The Warehouse has a wide selection of Paint with Water books (my fave) – whether it’s a Despicable Me 4 themed one, or PAW Patrol or Bunnies, there’s something for every kid – and they’re only $6!
The next step up from Paint with Water is the pretty incredible Crayola Wonder Mess Free Colouring Books ($16) which come with five very special markers that appear clear on most surfaces, but somehow show up a different colour on the Wonder Paper (perfect for ensuring your furniture or carpets stay clean). There’s a bunch of different themes, including Bluey and Spiderman. Definitely recommended.
Then there is a great range of activity pads – the giant ones, like the DreamWorks Favourites Giant Activity Pad ($10) or the Disney 100 Disney Princess Giant Activity Pad ($10) come with a page of stickers, colouring-in pages as well as lots of activities that should keep your kid going for a decent amount of time.
There’s sticker books galore, plus plenty of sticker/colouring books. I picked up a Transport and Vehicles sticker and colouring book for my cars obsessed little guy – they’re perfect at just $6 a pop or 3 for $12. You’ll also find all the colouring in pens, pencils and paints you could ever need – including my MVP, the Crayola Super Tips Washable Markers ($14.99 for 20) and the Crayola My First Crayons ($10.50 for 12).
Board Games
Go back and relive your own childhood with some classic games like Candyland ($15), Operation ($35), Monopoly ($35), Hungry Hippos ($35), Connect 4 ($22) and Twister ($29).
Or, try something new – board games have certainly come a long way! – like Mouthfull ($19), Twister Air ($30), Wet Roulette ($35), Pictureka ($25), or my new fave that we are all addicted to – Connect 4 Shots ($34.99). It’s like the original except for instead of being little discs you slot in, they’re balls that you have to bounce in (there’s a backboard thing to help you out), which means you need to have good aim to get the ball where you need! My husband and I now have an extra added investment in getting the kids to bed early – so that we can challenge each other to this game.
Disney Classics, Superheroes and Harry Potter
If you’re looking for some of the biggest franchises for kids, The Warehouse has them all under one roof.
I’m trying to play it cool, but I’m brimming with excitement because we finally have another Harry Potter fan in the house. The books are such a joy – and The Warehouse has them all ($20 each), as well as SO much merchandise. One of my faves are the collab they did with Squishmallows (a genius move) – the Harry Potter Squishmallow and the Hedwig one (both $29) are particularly adorable.
You can also pick up a Harry Potter Warner Bros Hallows Hallows Comforter Set ($35 for a King Single), loads of different LEGO sets (including the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Potions Class – $58 or Owlery – $69), a Harry Potter Impossible Puzzle 1000 piece ($25), plus a zillion more items. My steal of a purchase was the Harry Potter Origami Book, which was only $5!
The Warehouse is also having a Lion King moment, celebrating 30 years of the film (what). There’s loads of cute stuff, from a LEGO Disney Classic Simba the Lion King Cub ($29), the Disney Classics The Lion King 1000 pieces Puzzle ($39), loads of sticker books, activity books and paint with water books, plus loads of merchandise from underwear to a cute, giant Hakuna Matata Floor Cushion ($39).
If your little person is more of a Frozen fan, Star Wars, Moana, Inside Out, Lilo & Stitch – or, heck, any of the films actually, you’re sure to find something. My littlest is currently obsessed with Cars and will no longer go anywhere without his Cars Mack Transporter ($44).
Again, there are also lots of collabs between Disney and LEGO. They’re always a crowd pleaser and they’re toys I feel good about our kids playing with. We’re particularly fond of the LEGO DUPLO Mack at the Race ($29) and the LEGO Disney Moana’s Wayfinding Boat ($54).
