Quick answer: Screen-free toys are hands-on toys that children can play with without a screen or app: stacking and sorting toys for toddlers, building sets, air-dry clay, pretend-play kits, memory and board games, and science kits. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no sedentary screen time for children under 2, and no more than 1 hour a day, with less being better, for children aged 2 to 4. Choose toys whose listed age matches your child, and play together when you can.
This guide explains what the WHO says, and shares eleven screen-free toy ideas from the Toyspry catalogue for families in Dubai and across the UAE, grouped by age.
What does the WHO say about screen time for young children?
The WHO's guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 say that screen time is not recommended for babies under 1 year, and that sedentary screen time, such as watching TV or videos or playing computer games, is not recommended for 1-year-olds. For children aged 2, and again for children aged 3 to 4, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour, and less is better. The guidelines also encourage reading and storytelling with a caregiver when children are sedentary (WHO: Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age).
These are general public-health guidelines, not advice for an individual child. If you have questions about your child's development or screen use, talk to your child's doctor.
How to choose screen-free toys
- Start with the age on the product page. Use the recommended age rather than the shop category.
- Look for open-ended or hands-on play. Building, shaping, sorting and pretending give children something to do rather than watch.
- Check for small parts and magnets. Beads, magnets and small pieces are not for babies, toddlers or younger siblings.
- Read any app note. A few kits mention an optional app or QR guide. The toy itself still works without a screen, so you can decide whether to use it.
- Play together. Sit down for the first round, then let your child take over.
Screen-free toy ideas from Toyspry
The ages below come from each product's Toyspry listing, and the descriptions follow what the listings say. Check the listing for the exact product you are buying, as details and availability can change.
Toddlers: 12 months and up
Battat Classic Stacking Rings (12 months+)
Five colourful rings stack on a central pole, and some rings have different textures and rattle sounds. The listing says it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Battat 2-in-1 Cube & Rings (2 years+)
Combines an activity cube, with shape sorting and a bead maze, and stacking rings in one toy.
For more, browse the 1–3 Years collection and the 0–2 Years collection.
Preschoolers: 3 years and up
128-Piece 3D Magnetic Building Blocks Set (3 years+)
Colourful blocks with embedded magnets that connect into towers, castles and other structures. Keep the magnets away from babies, toddlers and younger siblings.
Hey Clay Dinosaurs – Kids Air-Dry Sculpting Clay Set (3 years+)
Fifteen cans of air-dry clay for shaping six dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops. The listing mentions an app that guides the sculpting, but the clay can be shaped without a screen.
Hey Clay Animals DIY – Air-Dry Clay Craft Kit (3 years+)
Six cans of soft air-dry clay for shaping miniature animals. The listing says the clay hardens in 24 hours, so finished figures can be kept for play.
3-in-1 Magnetic Fishing Game with Stacking Columns (3 years+)
Catch magnetic fish, stack columns and practise colour and shape recognition, all in one box. It works for one child or for playing together.
Battat Doctor Kit – 11-Piece Pretend Play Medical Set (3 years+)
Eleven pretend medical tools, including a stethoscope, a thermometer and a reflex hammer, with a carrying case for role-play. The listing says role-play can help children feel less anxious about doctor visits.
Galt Toys Memory Game (3 years+)
Study a woodland scene card, then rebuild it from memory with eight wooden pieces. It has 20 cards of increasing difficulty and can be played by one or two players.
More to explore: 3–5 Years collection, Hey Clay, building and construction toys and art and craft toys.
Ages 4 and 5 and up: puzzles, games and experiments
Beleduc Cognito Matching Puzzle: Categories (4 years+)
Thirty tiles in which children combine three tiles to complete a category, such as a musical instrument or a piece of clothing.
Kraftsman Ludo Wooden Travel Board Game (5 years+)
Classic Ludo on a board made of four interlocking tiles that comes apart for storage. The set includes 16 coloured pawns and a dice, with a travel pouch to keep them together.
Galt Toys Dino Lab Science Kit (5 years+)
Dig a dinosaur fossil out of an excavation stone, explore amber slime and mould dinosaur tracks in air-drying clay. The kit has a lab booklet with experiments, and adult supervision is recommended.
More to explore: 5–10 Years collection, games and puzzles, board games, Galt Toys and kids travel toys.
Screen-free play beyond toys
Not every screen-free activity needs a purchase. The WHO guidelines encourage reading and storytelling with a caregiver, and many of the toys above work well as a shared activity, such as building a tower together, taking turns in a game or shaping clay animals side by side. For more ideas, see our guides to whether screen-free toys are better for kids, toys for concentration and attention and age-appropriate educational toys in the UAE.
Delivery and returns in the UAE
Toyspry delivers across the UAE. Shipping is free on orders of AED 100 and above. Unused, unboxed items in their original packaging can be returned within 7 days of delivery with proof of purchase, except sale items. See our delivery, returns and support page, the shipping policy and the refund policy for full terms.
FAQs about screen-free toys
What are good screen-free toys for kids in the UAE?
Good choices are hands-on toys that match your child's age: stacking and sorting toys for toddlers, building sets, air-dry clay, pretend-play kits, memory and board games, and science kits. From Toyspry, the 128-Piece 3D Magnetic Building Blocks Set and the Hey Clay Animals DIY kit are both listed for ages 3 and up.
How much screen time does the WHO recommend for young children?
The WHO says screen time is not recommended for babies under 1 or for 1-year-olds, and that children aged 2 to 4 should have no more than 1 hour of sedentary screen time a day, with less being better.
What screen-free toys suit a 1-year-old?
The Battat Classic Stacking Rings are listed for 12 months and up. Always check the age and safety information on the listing and supervise play with babies and toddlers.
Do any of these kits use an app?
The Hey Clay kits mention an app with guided steps. The clay itself can be shaped without one, so using the app is your choice.
How long does delivery take, and can I return a toy?
Delivery estimates are in our shipping policy. Unused, unboxed items can be returned within 7 days of delivery, except sale items. See the refund policy for details.
Ready to choose? Browse our educational toys or the games and puzzles collection, and check the recommended age on each product page.