Let’s SNAP Back to the Moment

Finding space for calm beyond the screen

There are times when screens feel like the simplest solution.
Long school days. Early mornings. Evenings when hair needs washing and everyone’s patience is already stretched.

I’ve been there - watching “just one episode” quietly turn into many, and knowing the challenge that comes with asking children to switch it off once they’re fully absorbed.

That feeling stayed with me. And it’s where the idea for SNAP began.

At CurlyEllie, everything we create is shaped by everyday life with children. SNAP grew from a desire to offer something gentle and engaging; a screen-free game for kids that feels familiar, easy, and genuinely enjoyable, without adding more stimulation to already busy days.

Why SNAP Came to Life

I was looking for something simple.

A game that didn’t rely on screens or apps.
Something that didn’t need batteries.
And most importantly, something that didn’t feel like another task at the end of a long day.

I wanted a game we could pick up, even briefly, and share a moment of real attention together.

That’s what SNAP became for us.

How We Use SNAP at Home

Because not every day feels the same.

Some days are full of energy and noise.
Others call for calm and quiet.

SNAP fits both.

SNAP : For Laughter, Movement & Connection

This is our go-to when everyone still has energy to spare.

It’s fast-paced, engaging, and somehow manages to pull everyone in;  even the ones who were asking for a screen just moments before.

Our version is simple:
Cards are dealt.
We take turns turning them over.
When two match, someone shouts “SNAP!” (often very enthusiastically).

The result? Lots of laughter and shared fun.
Short rounds work best, especially with younger children.

Pairs : For Calm Evenings & Focus

When the day needs to slow down, we switch to Pairs.

The cards are turned face down, the pace softens, and the game becomes about memory and focus rather than speed.

It’s become part of our wind-down routine — especially helpful on busy days when little minds need support to settle.

Sometimes we play together.
Sometimes a child plays independently.
Sometimes I sit quietly and play on my own.

All of it works. All of it counts.

What Changed When We Chose More Screen-Free Play

I started noticing small shifts:

• Bedtimes became more settled

• Concentration improved

• Patience grew — for curls and everything else

• And those small moments of connection began to stack up

This isn’t about removing screens entirely.
It’s about offering alternatives children actually enjoy choosing.

SNAP Back to What Matters

The moments that stay with me aren’t the big, planned ones.

They’re the quiet games around the table.
The shared giggles over a matching card.
The calm that settles in just before bedtime.

SNAP helps create more of those moments — and I hope it brings the same sense of calm and connection into your home.

From one mum to another 💛
— Ellie’s Mum

Perfect for:

• Families gently reducing screen time

• Calm, screen-free kids games

• After-school play and bedtime routines

• CurlyEllie families seeking connection beyond the curls