It Started with Spoons and Bowls and Ended with a Band Called Turnip Friends

Proof that you don’t need talent to make music with your kids.

Earlier this week, I introduced a screen-free activity inspired by Global Day of Unplugging. One where my kids and I turned our kitchen into a makeshift music studio using whatever we could find.

We grabbed mixing bowls, pots, measuring cups, and wooden spoons, and within minutes, we had ourselves a band.

A chaotic, rhythmically questionable band.

But a band, nonetheless.

We called ourselves Turnip Friends, which, in true 4-year-old fashion, had no connection to music and everything to do with what made her laugh in the moment. (Honestly? It’s growing on me.)

This was one of those activities that didn’t need a lot of prep or a perfect plan. We grabbed some spoons and bowls, made some noise, and ended up having a blast. But as always, the real value wasn’t in the chaos but in what came out of it: curiosity, connection, and a solid 36 minutes of focused play.

In this post, I’ll break down what worked, what didn’t, and how I’d tweak it for next time. I’m also introducing a new rating system so you can see, at a glance, whether an activity is worth trying in your own home.

Here’s how our first jam session went, what I’d do differently, and how Turnip Friends scored on the official Screen-Free Dad activity scale.

What went well?

This activity kicked off fast. There was no setup drama or rules to explain. We just needed a couple of bowls, spoons, and a green light to make noise.

Here’s what stood out:

• It got their energy out.
  My kids didn’t just sit and tap. They marched, spun, and treated the kitchen floor like a concert stage. It became a full-body activity that burned some serious toddler energy.

• They got curious.
  My 4-year-old started asking all kinds of questions: “What’s a beat?” “Why does this one sound different than that one?” It opened the door to a conversation I wasn’t totally prepared for, but I loved that she was thinking about it.

• They stayed engaged.
  Band practice held their attention for 36 minutes, which might not sound like much until you try to entertain two kids without screens for half an hour straight. That’s a win.

• I got some unexpected dad cred.
  I’m not exactly musically gifted, but I managed to hold a basic rhythm. And in my kids' eyes, that made me a rock star. For a moment, I was the cool dad who could actually “play drums,” even if my instrument was a frying pan.

All in all, it was one of those rare activities that hit the sweet spot: simple, fun, and actually held their attention.

No screens, no stress, and a surprising amount of laughter. I didn’t expect a bunch of kitchen utensils to bring that much joy, but I’m glad they did.

What didn’t go so well?

Even with all the fun, there were a few bumps worth mentioning. Nothing major, but enough that I’d approach things differently next time. Here’s what went down:

• “What’s a band?”
  I figured naming our band would be a fun, silly part of the activity. But my kids had no idea what a band was. That led to a slightly confusing detour where I had to explain the concept of a group of people playing music together. Once they got it, they were in, but it definitely slowed things down.

• Tough questions, no answers.
  My 4-year-old started asking questions about rhythm and timing that I couldn’t really answer on the fly. “Is this the beat?” or “How do you make it go like a song?” I did my best, but I found myself wishing I had done a little more prep, or maybe watched a short video, or had a simple song ready to demonstrate.

• Ending felt… chaotic.
  Toward the end, attention started to fade, and the instruments went from being played to being launched across the kitchen. It was clear we hit the limit, but there wasn’t a natural way to wrap it up. Next time, I’d have a better exit plan. Maybe ending with a “final performance” or a cleanup challenge set to music.

None of these were dealbreakers, but they reminded me that even simple activities can benefit from a little structure. A few tweaks on my end would’ve made things smoother and probably stretched the fun even further.

How long did it last?

We made it 36 minutes.

That might not sound like much, but in toddler time, that’s basically a full concert. There were no screens and no formal plan. It was just two kids, a handful of kitchen tools, and one very willing dad.

The first 10 minutes were pure chaos (in a good way). After that, it shifted into more focused play: tapping out rhythms, trading “instruments,” and even trying to play along together. Around the 30-minute mark, things started to unravel as attention waned, and we wrapped it up shortly after.

For a zero-prep activity that held both kids’ attention for over half an hour, I’d call that a win! If I had added a little structure at the end like a “band finale” or silly closing routine, it probably could’ve stretched to 40+ minutes without much effort.

What will I do differently next time?

The activity was a hit, but there are a few things I’d tweak when we do it again:

• Start with a quick intro.
  Before jumping in, I’d take a minute to explain what a band is and show a short clip of a group playing together. Just enough to give the kids some context so they know what we’re actually trying to do.

• Bring in a few real instruments.
  Next time, I’ll set out a ukulele, piano, or toy xylophone along with the kitchen stuff. Not only would it add variety, but I’m hoping it might also help them connect the noise we’re making to actual music.

• Add a “final performance.”
  Instead of letting the activity fizzle out when they get bored, I’ll build in a final “concert” for Mom or a favorite stuffed animal audience. It gives the activity a natural endpoint and something to build toward.

• Prep a couple of rhythm games.
  Something simple like call-and-response clapping, or “Copy My Beat,” could give the whole thing a little more direction before it spirals into utensil warfare.

The activity didn’t need much to be fun, but with just a little prep, I think it could become a go-to screen-free favorite.

How would I adjust it for different-aged kids?

This activity worked great for my 4-year-old and 18-month-old, but with a few tweaks, it could easily grow with your kids or work across a wider age range if you have multiples in the mix.

• Toddlers (1–3 years)
  Keep it simple. Focus on sensory play like banging, tapping, and exploring sounds. There is no need for structure. Just let them go wild with safe kitchen items and follow their lead.

• Preschoolers (4–6 years)
  Start introducing basic musical concepts like rhythm, beat, and pattern. Try games like “Copy My Sound” or let them “lead” the band. They’ll love the responsibility and the creativity.

• Older Kids (7+)
  You can take this further by recreating simple songs or challenging them to write their own. Add real instruments or use apps that let them mix basic tracks. They might even enjoy naming the band, designing a logo, and putting on a show.

The kitchen band setup is flexible, and it scales with your kids. Whether you’re just introducing a toddler to noise-making or helping older kids explore real music, this one’s easy to adapt without reinventing the whole activity.

What would I rate this activity?

To make these recaps more helpful, I’m introducing a simple rating system I’ll use for all screen-free activities. Think of it as a quick-glance breakdown of what worked, what didn’t, and whether the activity is worth trying with your own kids.

Each activity is rated across five categories, with up to 10 points in each, for a total possible score of 50 points.

The Screen-Free Score

1. Engagement: Did it hold their attention?

2. Ease of Setup: Was it quick and simple to get going?

3. Creativity Spark: Did it encourage imagination or problem-solving?

4. Physicality: Did it involve movement or hands-on interaction?

5. Repeatability: Would we actually want to do this again?

Kitchen Band Jam: Final Score

1. Engagement: 9/10

2. Ease of Setup: 10/10

3. Creativity Spark: 8/10

4. Physicality: 9/10

5. Repeatability: 8/10

Total: 44/50

This one delivered. It was loud and low-effort and bought us 36 minutes of focused, screen-free playtime, which, for toddlers, is an eternity! We won’t turn the kitchen into a concert hall every day, but this one definitely earned a spot in the rotation.

Next week, we’re trading pots and pans for slides and sidewalks with something I’m calling The Park Crawl. The goal is the same: zero screens and real connection, but this time, we’re taking the chaos outdoors. Stay tuned!