Let’s face it—we’ve all had those days where the kids are glued to screens like moths to a flame. Tablets, TVs, video games… it can feel like you need a crowbar just to get them to look up. But a growing number of parents are saying, “Enough is enough!” and turning to something a little more magical: experience-based play.
What is that, exactly? Think of it as fun with a purpose. It’s about trading the toy aisle for real-world adventures. It’s making memories, not messes. And it’s getting kids to laugh, think, and move without a charger in sight. Experience-based play is on the rise, and parents everywhere are loving it.
Toys Are Temporary. Memories Last Forever.
Remember that toy your child begged for last year? The one they played with… maybe twice? It probably lives in the bottom of a toy bin or was quietly donated during the last spring cleaning.
Now think about the time your family went mini-golfing, did a silly family photo shoot, or tried something totally new together. That memory? Still alive and well. That’s the power of experience.
Parents today are leaning into this shift. Instead of piling on more “stuff,” they’re choosing to spend money on activities that bring the family together. From cooking classes to zoo days, and yes—even kids’ escape rooms like Cluville these moments create shared laughter, bonding, and stories to tell at dinner.
Why Experience-Based Play is Catching On
Aside from giving tired toys a break, experience-based play taps into what kids actually need:
- Social skills: Kids learn to work together, communicate, and even negotiate when they play in groups.
- Problem-solving: Real-world challenges stretch their minds in ways a passive screen never could.
- Movement: Activities get kids physically active and engaged with the world around them.
- Creativity: Many experience-based activities require imagination and open-ended thinking.
Plus, let’s be real: parents benefit too. When you trade solo screen time for a family adventure, you’re not just supervising your kids, you’re joining them. And that connection is everything.
A Local Favorite
One place families around Phoenix are loving for screen-free fun? Cluville Kids Escape Room. Whether your kid’s the type to love a good mystery or just likes figuring things out with friends, Cluville is a solid go-to. It’s kind of like stepping into a storybook and being part of the adventure.
Think hidden clues, teamwork, and a lot of “aha!” moments. There’s something really special about seeing kids fully engaged in something that makes them think and collaborate. Watching them light up when they crack a clue or figure out a tricky puzzle? It’s the kind of proud-parent moment that sticks. You’ll see siblings working together, friends cheering each other on, and even shy kids stepping up with big ideas.
More Than a One-Time Outing
One of the best things about places like Cluville is that it’s not just a one-and-done kind of experience. Each room tells a new story and presents fresh puzzles, so every visit feels different. It becomes something families can return to. Kids build confidence. They learn how to listen, lead, and laugh through frustration. And parents get to witness it all in real time.
Experience-based activities like this are also great for weekends, school breaks, or those “we need to get out of the house but don’t want to go to the trampoline park again” moments. It’s the kind of outing that feels fun and purposeful.
Making Screen-Free the New Norm
We’re not saying screens are evil. They have their place. But mixing in more screen-free, experience-rich moments is like adding veggies to the mac and cheese. It balances things out.
Start with little shifts:
- Plan one “experience day” a month as a family
- Give a puzzle, scavenger hunt, or escape room gift instead of a toy
- Look for activities that challenge and excite your kids, not just entertain them
Before you know it, the idea of play will start to expand beyond tablets and controllers. And your kids? They might just surprise you with how much they love it.
Cluville: Come Play the Story
At Cluville, we believe that play should be adventurous, collaborative, and unforgettable. That’s why we’ve created a space where kids can be heroes, detectives, explorers—whatever their imagination allows.
So if you’re in the Phoenix area and looking for something screen-free, smile-inducing, and seriously fun, come visit us. Whether it’s a weekend activity, a school break boredom-buster, or just a new way to spend time together, Cluville is the kind of play that sticks with you.