Maine’s School Phone Ban Has Kids Talking Again: How to Plan a Screen-Free Party They’ll Love

Walk into a school cafeteria in Maine this fall and you might notice something surprising: kids talking to each other. Nearly three months after the state required K-12 schools to keep cellphones and other internet-connected devices put away from the first bell to the last, teachers and school leaders say students are paying closer attention in class and chatting more between periods and at lunch. The story, reported by The Maine Monitor and distributed by The Associated Press, is about schools. But anyone who plans children’s parties will recognize the lesson right away. When the screens go away, kids find each other.

At The Soft Play Social, that’s the moment we live for: the shy guest who ends up giggling in the ball pit, the cousins who build a fort together, the toddler who takes their first brave tumble down a soft slide. Here’s what Maine’s experience tells us, and how to plan a party where play, not phones, takes center stage.

What Maine’s phone rules changed

According to the report, a provision in Maine’s April state supplemental budget required K-12 schools to ban internet-connected devices, including cellphones, from the starting bell to the dismissal bell, with some medical and other exceptions. Schools had until Aug. 1 to comply. Emily Rapp of the Institute for Families and Technology said Maine became the 23rd state with a statewide bell-to-bell ban.

The early results, according to school officials and teachers quoted in the story, are encouraging. Students are more attentive, stay on task and complete more in-class work. They’re also talking more in hallways and the cafeteria. At Brunswick High School, students drop their phones into storage boxes at the start of the day. One senior said that after the first day, “My phone left my mind.”

The rules aren’t perfect. Some students still sneak phones into bathrooms, and smartwatches are harder to police. Enforcement varies from school to school, from warnings and parent meetings to detention. And parents can still reach their children through the school office or by email, which most said hasn’t been a problem.

Why this matters for party planning

Kids’ parties have always been about connection. But as more children carry phones and tablets, many parents have noticed a familiar scene: a group of kids clustered around a single screen while the activities sit untouched. Maine’s schools offer a real-world example of what can happen when devices are set aside for a stretch of time. Conversation picks up. Kids engage with what’s in front of them.

A party is a perfect place to create that same kind of break, and it’s a lot more fun than a lockbox in a classroom. The trick is to make the screen-free part feel like a feature, not a rule.

How to host a screen-free party kids will love

Here are the strategies we see work best at the parties we set up:

1. Say it on the invitation. A friendly line such as “This is a play party, so phones and tablets can take a break” sets expectations for guests and their parents before anyone arrives.
2. Create a phone “parking spot.” For older kids who carry phones, a decorated basket or box near the entrance turns a rule into a ritual. Just like at Brunswick High School, devices get dropped off at the start.
3. Give parents a plan to stay reachable. Maine parents were reassured that they could still contact their kids through the school office. Do the same: share the host’s phone number so families know they can reach their child anytime.
4. Fill the first ten minutes. The moment kids arrive is when they’re most likely to reach for a screen. Have a play area, craft station or welcome game ready to go immediately.
5. Keep the energy flowing. Soft play setups, ball pits, tunnels and climbing pieces naturally pull kids into active, cooperative play. Rotating activities every 15 to 20 minutes keeps attention high.

It also helps to plan a loose schedule rather than leaving big gaps. Downtime is when boredom creeps in, and boredom is when kids start asking to borrow a parent’s phone. A simple flow, such as free play on arrival, a group game, snack time, more play, then cake and goodbyes, gives the party a natural rhythm without feeling rigid. Soft play is especially good at filling the in-between moments, because kids can drift in and out of it on their own.

But what about photos?

Here’s the honest truth: the most common reason phones come out at a party isn’t the kids. It’s the grown-ups taking pictures. We love party photos, too. A few ideas to capture memories without turning the event into a screen fest:

• Designate one photographer. Ask a relative or friend to be the official photo-taker so other adults can put their phones away and enjoy the moment.
• Set up a photo corner. A balloon backdrop or a styled corner of the play space gives everyone a spot for quick group shots, then it’s back to play.
• Share afterward. Let guests know photos will be sent around after the party, so no one feels they need to film everything themselves.

Adults can set the tone, too. When parents put their own phones away and join in, whether that’s cheering on an obstacle course or helping with a craft, kids notice. A party where grown-ups are present and playful is often the one children remember most.

Making it work for different ages

A screen-free party looks a little different depending on who’s coming:

• Toddlers and preschoolers usually don’t have their own devices, but older siblings might. A phone basket for big kids and a comfortable seating area for parents can help everyone settle in.
• Early elementary kids are often thrilled by soft play and active games. Simple challenges, like obstacle courses or “freeze” games, keep them moving.
• Tweens may push back at first. Give them a role, such as helping run games for younger guests or being in charge of the music, so the party feels grown-up rather than restrictive.

Maine’s experience suggests that the hardest part is the beginning. The Brunswick senior who stopped thinking about his phone after just one day is a good reminder that kids adapt quickly once the alternative is fun.

Safety and comfort still come first

Going screen-free doesn’t mean going without communication. Make sure every guest’s parent has a way to reach the host, keep a list of emergency contacts and any allergies, and have a quiet space where a child who feels overwhelmed can take a break. If a child needs a device for medical reasons, such as a glucose monitor, that’s always the exception, just as Maine’s rules allow medical exceptions.

Finally, think about the party favor. Instead of small electronic gadgets, consider favors that extend the screen-free fun at home: bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a mini puzzle, stickers or a simple craft kit. It’s a small way to keep the spirit of the party going after guests head home.

What to watch

• More states and districts. With Maine counted as the 23rd state with a bell-to-bell ban, phone-free school days are becoming more common, which may make phone-free parties feel more normal to kids, too.
• Smartwatches. Schools in Maine have found smartwatches harder to manage. If your guests wear them, a gentle “watches on silent” request can help.
• Holiday party season. With winter celebrations ahead, screen-free gatherings are a great way to help kids connect with cousins and friends they don’t see often.

Let them play

The lesson from Maine’s classrooms is simple: give kids a break from screens and something better to do, and they’ll find each other. That’s exactly what a great party should do. If you’re planning a birthday, holiday gathering or playdate and want a setup that keeps little hands busy and faces smiling, The Soft Play Social is ready to help you create it.

Source: The Maine Monitor, distributed by The Associated Press (via LA NACION)