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Screen-time transitions for children – free printable next-activity cards

Six concrete picture cards for the transition when screen time ends: agree the next activity beforehand with one visible card so your child sees what comes next.

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Created by Pictofy · Updated

Six cards to choose from

Turning off a screen is hardest when nothing concrete follows. Choose one of Noah's six cards together before screen time starts and place it beside the device.

  • Pictogram of Noah holding a red apple and taking a bite for a snack
    Have a snack
  • Pictogram of Noah sitting on a rug building a tower of wooden blocks
    Play with blocks
  • Pictogram of Noah sitting at a table drawing with crayons on paper
    Draw
  • Pictogram of Noah kicking a football outdoors
    Play ball outside
  • Pictogram of Noah sitting calmly holding an open picture book
    Read a book
  • Pictogram of Noah placing toys into a storage box on the floor
    Put things away

Want this routine with your own child instead of Noah? Build your child's character from a photo or traits and preview three sample cards on screen.

Replace Noah with your own child in 2 minutes →

Print the cards

All 6 cards on one A4 sheet with names underneath, ready to cut out. To swap a card or change a label, open the sheet in the editor first.

  1. Print on A4 at 100% and cut out the six activity cards.
  2. Before turning the screen on, lay out two cards and let your child pick what happens afterwards.
  3. Keep the chosen card visible beside the device (or in Next on a Now-and-Next board) and give a calm two-minute warning.
Download the cards (A4 PDF)

A4 · no account · no payment

With your own character: the starter pack includes two personal pictogram packs of your choice.

See the starter pack →
Noah, the figure on the cards

Adapt the material to your day

Adapt activities and pictograms and print free without an account. Save to your account to open the material on other devices or share it. Ongoing updates to shared schedules follow your access.

Adapt this materialFind pictures in the library →

Questions about the material

Why pick the card before turning on the screen?

Once a game or video is running, making decisions is much harder. Agreeing and placing the card beforehand makes the transition predictable.

Should all six cards be on the table?

No. Offer at most two choices at a time — for example Have a snack or Play with blocks.

Can we combine these with a Now and Next board?

Yes. Pair these cards with our free printable Now-and-Next sheet.

More free routines

Also read: pictograms for children with ADHD · weekly schedule with pictograms