Beyond the Screens: 3 Easy After-School Activities to Reconnect as a Family

By Katie Dufort

In today’s day and age, it’s easy for kids to get home from school, go straight to their rooms, and be locked away staring at screens for the rest of the night. Digital devices have taken over, but as a parent, you don’t have to rely on screens for entertainment all the time. There are still lots of quick, simple, and fun games to foster family connection and enjoy after a long day. 

The whole year puzzle

Having a quick daily ritual gives the family a moment to look forward to. Wordle demonstrated how simple, low-pressure daily challenges foster connection and create a social rhythm, no matter how busy life gets.

A great option for the family is the Whole Year Puzzle. It’s a flat, calendar-shaped puzzle with 9 pieces covering the letters and numbers. The objective is simple: rearrange the pieces so today’s date remains uncovered. It’s a fast, brain-boosting challenge that sparks light family competition and builds a daily tradition. It works well for kids of all ages, as long as they can read the date.

Mystery-solving games

You don’t have to go out of your way to visit an escape room; you can bring that same adventure into your home. 

The Family Secrets Series by EscapeMail is an interactive tabletop experience where players solve puzzles, crack hidden codes, and discover long-lost treasure. Unlike typical escape room games that can only be played once, Family Secrets is an ongoing 12-episode journey. Each episode takes 1 to 2 hours to complete and builds on the last, relying on delayed gratification and giving kids something to look forward to after school. It’s best played with 1-4 participants.

Family jigsaw puzzles 

People often skip jigsaw puzzles on weeknights, assuming they demand too much focus after a long school day. However, easy puzzles actually calm the mind and help kids wind down.

Family jigsaw puzzles typically have around 350 pieces and are designed for all ages. Brands like Cobble Hill offer puzzles with small, medium, and large pieces in the same box. Adults can tackle the smaller pieces, while kids or family members with poorer vision use the larger ones. Everyone works toward the same image at their own skill level. There are many different ones to choose from, including holiday-themed puzzles.

At the end of the day, pulling kids away from their screens doesn’t require much. You just need a few intentional, low-pressure alternatives. Whether it’s cracking a quick calendar puzzle before dinner, solving a mystery, or piecing together a jigsaw puzzle with the whole family, these activities offer something no algorithm can replace: family connection. This year, make it a point to clear the kitchen table and try a new after-school tradition that brings the entire family together. 

About the Author 

Katie Dufort is the owner of Puzzle Rides, a guided golf-cart puzzle adventure business in Prescott and Scottsdale. Their Prescott location features The Puzzle Shop, where you can buy from a selection of thousands of puzzles and games.