A Screen-Free Morning Routine: The Morning Basket Method
- Dec 15, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
What Is a Morning Basket—and Why You Need One
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
As a kid, I loved doing the newspaper’s crossword every morning before heading to school. It was part of my morning routine—long before I ever heard the term morning basket.
Today, most of us reach for our phones first thing after waking up. Between funny videos, depressing news, endless scrolling, and podcasts, it’s easy to lose an hour without even realizing it. While I enjoy a good podcast or meme as much as the next person, I’ve learned that delaying screen time in the morning makes a huge difference in how the rest of my day feels.
That’s where the morning basket comes in.
If you’re looking for a screen-free morning routine that feels calm instead of restrictive, this simple system has made a noticeable difference in our household.
Why I Created a Morning Basket
I live with my partner and his father, who’s in his late 70s. He enjoys playing card games on his tablet, but I wanted to give him—and myself—other options to keep our brains active without defaulting to screens.
Upgrading to a Screen-Free Morning Routine
While researching ideas, I learned that morning baskets originally come from the homeschooling world. They’re often used to organize learning materials or daily planners. Some people keep their calendars and to-do lists in them to review their day each morning.
That wasn’t quite what I was looking for.
I wanted something:
Screen-free
Mentally stimulating
Easy to grab
Enjoyable (not another “self-improvement chore”)
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to upgrade your morning routine without overhauling your life, a morning basket might be exactly what you need.
Tips for Creating a Morning Basket You’ll Actually Use
Make It Visually Appealing
If it looks nice, you’re more likely to use it. I bought a simple, neutral basket that looks good on the table or counter. (A similar one linked below)
Include the Right Supplies
Don’t forget:
Pens or pencils for crosswords and puzzles
Coloured pencils or markers for colouring books
Having everything in one place removes friction.
Label It
A small clip-on label helps everyone in the household understand what it’s for—especially helpful if you live with other adults or kids.
Add Variety
You won’t feel like doing the same thing every morning. A mix of options keeps it interesting and sustainable.
Place It Somewhere Obvious
The dining table, kitchen counter, or anywhere you pass every morning works best. I like to place it out the night before, so it’s ready to go.
What to Put in Your Morning Basket
Only include things you genuinely enjoy. Otherwise, it becomes clutter.
Below are ideas based on what works well in our household. I’ve included affiliate links where applicable.
For Kids
If you have children, adding one or two options for them helps everyone participate.
Brain games for kids
Riddle books
Age-appropriate puzzles
For Adults
These are great for mental stimulation without screen fatigue:
Sudoku books
Crossword puzzles
Word searches
Murdle or logic puzzle books
Scavenger-style “find the item” puzzles
Colouring books
Colour-by-number books
Coloured pencils
👉 Murdle link : https://amzn.to/4qadxV4
👉 Sudoku link: https://amzn.to/4pGJzs9
👉 Crosswords link: https://amzn.to/4qbMYz4
👉 Coloring book link: https://amzn.to/49dj9s0
👉 Criminal mind puzzles: https://amzn.to/44swUjX
Notebooks
Simple notebooks are great for:
Brain dumps
Lists
Morning thoughts
The dollar store is often the best place for these.
Easy, Low-Effort Reading Ideas
Short, engaging reads work best in the morning.
Some ideas:
Archie comics (nostalgic and lighthearted)
Stephen Hawking: Brief Answers to the Big Questions
The Big Questions by Simon Blackburn (philosophy, but very accessible)
Farmacology by Daphne Miller
I’ll continue adding to this list as I find more good options.
Why a Morning Basket Works
A morning basket:
Reduces phone use
Stimulates your brain
Encourages calm, intentional mornings
Works for adults, kids, and seniors
Requires very little effort once set up
It’s one of the simplest ways to upgrade your morning routine—no alarms, no apps, no pressure.
Final Thoughts
Creating a morning basket is an easy, low-cost way to reclaim your mornings and start the day with intention instead of scrolling.
I hope this inspires you to make your own—and actually enjoy using it.
✋ Want to try this tomorrow without overthinking it? Download the free Morning Basket Checklist and keep it phone-free.
