This summer’s hottest family trend isn’t a new app—it’s going analog. Families are swapping screen time for creativity, connection, and hands-on fun. We share some of the best screen-free activities helping kids unplug, get creative, and make the most of summer.
SCREEN FREE STORYTELLING
Instead of watching cartoons or movies all day, inspire your kids to make their own! The Crayola Story Creator is a screen‑free, hands-on experience that lets kids draw, narrate, and record their own stories. It helps kids build imagination while boosting confidence and communication skills. With the ability to capture up to three stories and 15 minutes of storytelling across their artwork, kids can turn everyday moments and drawings into lasting keepsakes. We loved watching our kids not only draw but develop and share the story behind their drawing. And you can erase and use it again and again.
It comes with four washable markers but you can also use Crayola crayons or colored pencils too. And with Prime Day(s) —right now you can save over 25% and bring home the Crayola Story Creator for just $24.99. The Crayola Story Creator—where every drawing tells a story.
SURF CITY: BEACH AND BEYOND
There are beach towns, and then there is Huntington Beach. World-class waves, 8.5 miles of uninterrupted beach, a world-famous pier, and a surf culture that dates back over a century. Plus the town hosts some of the biggest events on the West Coast calendar, including the US Open of Surf.
The moment that you cruise down Pacific Coast Highway with the ocean coming into view, you understand exactly why. The energy here is unlike anywhere else on the California coast. It’s laid-back and lively all at once, the kind of pace where a full family day can stretch from early morning surf sessions, all the way to a bonfire on the sand after sunset. The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa sits right on Pacific Coast Highway, directly on the sand, so guests are in the middle of all of it without having to go looking for it. In fact the resort has it’s own private pedestrian sky bridge to the sand (only one of it’s kind in California) and a beach hut to get all dialed in for a day in the sun. At the Beach Hut, guests pick up complimentary umbrellas, chairs, and towels. From there, it’s surf lessons, beach bonfires, or sand service. Yes, they’ll bring lunch to your spot on the beach.
The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has that beautiful Spanish-inspired architecture with ocean views from nearly every angle, and the amenities are amazing for families. Deluxe hotel accommodations offer furnished patios with private fire pits and two- and three-bedroom suites are available for multi-generational families with plenty of space for all. Our kids love Slyder’s Water Playground, which features three waterslides, splash pools, and a shallow wading area. After dark, the fun continues with Cosmic Slides turning the Slyders Water Playground into a nighttime experience with lasers and fog machines. Dive-In Movie Nights screen films poolside with complimentary s’mores. There’s even a full mermaid program with swim lessons, little ones’ playdates, and a mermaid fitness class for adults.
Lounge by the lagoon-style pool with a tropical cocktail, grab poolside bites from Mankota’s, or splurge on a private cabana for the day. The resort also has fire pits on the beach, two full-service restaurants, and a spa for the adults who are overdue for a little recharge. The family suites are an especially great choice if you are travelling with little ones, with enough space to spread out and settle in.
Watertable’s locally sourced menu and noteworthy cocktail program have become a staple for SoCal’s beach city locals. The menu features seasonal American fare in addition to a distinguished selection of world-class wines and artisanal cocktails. Experience coastal comfort food located steps across the bridge to the beach, Shor is nestled right on the beach, offering a front-row seat to the mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Waters Spa is a genuine destination. Twenty thousand square feet, 17 treatment rooms, and technology you’d normally only find in a clinical or elite sports setting. The Evolt 360 Body Composition Analyzer captures 40-plus biometrics in 60 seconds and builds your entire treatment plan around what your body actually needs. With the Hyatt as your base, everything in Surf City is right at your fingertips.
Whether you are making a quick day trip or turning it into a full summer getaway, Huntington Beach delivers every single time.
BEAD, BEDAZZLING AND DIY FUN
BaubleBar has craft kits for everything you can think of using beads and jewels to elevate any design. From DIY photo frames to bedazzled sunglasses, bag charms to bookmarks, and more. Great for free play while parents get work done or with friends creating an upscale play date connecting with others.
BaubleBar’s bead kits are perfect for making custom bag charms or bracelets. These kits come with everything you need to make custom bracelets or bag charms, including alphabet beads, fun shapes like hearts and flowers, and even playful details like disco ball accents. Everything is neatly organized in a sturdy, clear case, making it easy to bring along. There even come in MLB themed kits to make bracelets to show your team spirit.
