Let’s face it all the recent studies that share that kids are spending too much time on their screens is true. I really went looking for some simple family friendly tips to encourage less screen time and came up with 5 tips I know my family can implement.
The weather hasn’t been allowing our girls to get outside and play like they generally do. Here are some tips I found extremely helpful:
- Exercise Every Day: Children really do need to get out and play for an hour a day. Lack of activity is aa link to obesity and it really has become a problem here in the U.S. We like to make exercise a family event and do it together. Take your kids to a playground or make up an obstacle course at home, even just going for a walk as a family. All of these things are totally free and a fun way to stay active together.
- Limit Screen Time: Screen time is a leading cause of depression and anxiety now in teens and so even with our teenager we have to limit the screen time. Children really should only be in front of a screen two hours a day at max, so limit your child’s screen time with an App.
- Let Your Kids Be Bored: Encourage alternative to cut out the screen time. Board games, reading, coloring, and my girls love to create their own dance routines. I encourage them to just be bored and to find something creative to do. I like to give them random craft supplies and tell them to create something – this is a family favorite!
- Make Meals Family Time: My nine year old especially loves this. She loves to cook and bake and I like to teach her heathy habits with cooking. It’s a great way to just slow down and connect with my children plus they love helping cook dinner!
- No Devices in Your Room: This is a simple rule that I came up with because of my teenager. It’s easy to lay around on devices so keeping all devices our of our kids bedrooms. No chargers either, it’s all off limits.
- Set An Example: Let’s be perfectly honest…… If you want your children to spend less time in front of a screen, you will also have to make changes.
loving all these tips!! I encourage a lot of constructive play first before I let my kids get in front of the tablet or Xbox !! Kids just don’t play like we use to. Times have really changed !! Great post!
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We definitely have a no device in your room rule. My kids would stay there all day long just watching videos if I let them. I also limit their time.
These are helpful tips! I agree so much about setting an example. You can’t ask them to limit screen if we ourselves are always on our gadgets.
All your tips are great! We should follow them always. I love cooking with my kid and teaching them kitchen basics.
I love your tips! I break up screen time with lots of physical activity. If I don’t my kids get so cranky.
I like these ideas. I see nothing wrong with establishing some limits on screen time and where devices can be used!
This seems like a never-ending ordeal in our house. Being that our kids are in school, the rule is: when they get home, it’s homework, outside play (weather permitting), and some pad time before dinner and bed. These are some great tips!
These are great ideas! We were stuck inside because of an ice storm today. I got up and did some laps around the living room just to get some movement in.
Very cute kids! My 3 know they can only have tv/tablets certain times of the day which seems to be working pretty well.
I feel this post for my perspective is to be proactive, as my kids aren’t old enough to use tech, like pads, phones, or computers. I will bookmark this for when the time comes.
These are great tips. I think it’s important to break up screen time. We have to make sure the kiddos are well-rounded and not just glued to their screens all the time.
These tips really can be game changers when trying to positively influence our children. I love coming up with fun activities to do like pipe cleaner games, play dough charades, etc. I just recently shared my own thoughts about letting our kids get bored…I agree, it’s so important to the creative process! Thanks for the tips!