Taking the tablet away is easy. Replacing it with something your kid actually wants to do is the hard part. Here's what works for a lot of families.
1. Replace, don't just remove
"No screens" leaves a gap, and boredom fills it with complaints. Have the replacement ready before the screen goes off: a kit on the table, a game set up, a build half-started.
2. Pick the same time every day
Kids handle routines better than surprises. "After snack is build time" is easier to accept than a screen limit that appears out of nowhere.
3. Start small and finishable
A first project should take 30 to 60 minutes and end with something that works: a car that rolls, a crystal that grows, a robot that walks. Early wins make the next session easier.
4. Sit down for the first ten minutes
You don't need to do the project for them. Reading the first step together and handing over the first piece is often enough to get them going.
5. Let them show it off
Ask your kid to explain how it works at dinner. Explaining is where a lot of the learning sticks, and it gives them a reason to finish.
Looking for a first project? Browse Robotics & Coding, Science Lab or Games & Play for quick wins.