The Best Tech-Free And Sensory Toys To Keep Your Kids Entertained In School Holidays

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We are all living in a world that heavily relies on technology. So, it’s no surprise that our penchant for prodding pads and silently scrolling has trickled down to the youngest generation.

While we might have whiled away our weekends and holidays drawing hopscotch squares on the pavement, or trying to find fairies hidden in the garden, the children of today are better on our phones than we are.

Thanks to always having a new activity at their fingertips, boredom is becoming a thing of the past. Kids today are more than twice as likely to turn to a screen when they’re bored as they are to make up a game, story, or pretend world, according to a new survey by Playmobil.

Instead of using their imaginations during play time, a quarter (28%) of kids ask for – or use – a screen to pacify boredom.

Understandably, parents are concerned. More than half (54%) admit they feel guilty relying on screens during the holidays, while 74% say they wish their child spent more time playing imaginatively. Meanwhile, 38% of children wish their parents would play with them more.

Of course, parents have to work, kids need to learn to occupy themselves, but there are certainly pockets of time throughout the day when connection can be prioritised. To encourage this, Playmobil has teamed up with children’s presenter Maddie Moate and child psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer to create a set of free prompt cards.

Designed to be used alongside toys, each card asks an open-ended question that prompts children to invent characters, solve mysteries and build adventures.

These are not only good for strengthening bonds between parents and kids, but creative play can also help with all elements of children’s development, according to the UN.

If you’re looking for toy ideas to use alongside the cards, or by themselves, we’ve rounded up some of the best screen-free and sensory toys for kids in 2026, including some recommended by Playmobil and HuffPost UK’s parenting editor.

The Art of Storytelling cards are available to download for free via the Playmobil website.