Finding screen free activities is both the bane and balm of my existence. It can be a battle sometimes…one I’m not always willing to fight. However, with the kids being home for the last 4 months, I’ve had to install some good old fashioned rules when it comes to using technology.
What does it mean to be screen free?
Being screen free used to mean just turning off the television. Now it means putting down all XBox controllers, gaming consoles, phones, iPads and anything else with a screen. It means getting outside and reminding the kids they can explore and play and create and it doesn’t have to be on an app.
Did you know that the average American child spends five to eight hours each day looking at a screen and less than one hour outside? Making those things a little more equitable could mean the kids sleep better, have longer attention spans and lower stress levels. I’m all for all three of these things.
How to Encourage Screen Free Activities
When your kids can’t grab a device or controller, it will force them to figure something else to do. They might will grumble and whine and you might have to deal with some temper tantrums at first but stick with it. They’ll come around. And don’t give in and plan elaborate things for them to do. Give them some suggestions and let their imagination take over.
When you are forcing encouraging your kids to spend time outside, please make sure they are hydrating. Drinking lots of water and other liquids is so important. We are a big fans of Juicy Juice Juicy Waters. They are organic, made with no high fructose corn syrup and available in three flavors: Fruit Punch, Orange and Strawberry Watermelon. Juicy Waters have just a hint of flavor, and are great for when your kids want a juice box but you want them to have more water and less sugar.
Screen Free Suggestions
- Bake something. (Cupcakes anyone?)
- Go berry picking
- Plant a garden. (This bottle planter craft would be great.)
- Make up a new game
- Climb a tree (Maybe TreeTop Quest would be a good start?)
- Build a fort
- Go on a bike ride. (Check out these bike trails in Atlanta.)
- Write a story
- Paint, draw, color or create art some other way. (These DIY Tile Coasters are super cute.)
- Explore the neighborhood
- Play a new sport
- Practice a sport you already play
- Wash the car
- Run through the sprinkler
6 Rules to Enforce the Screen Free Activities
These rules are what we have instituted in my house. They are to be abided by firmly, within reason. With four kids home for such a long time, I had to let go of a lot of the structure I usually like. But I have found that it helps both the kids and I to have some boundaries and expectations each day.
- Rule 1. No technology (including TV) from 1p to 3p daily.
- Rule 2. You must go outside for at least 60 minutes every day.
- Rule 3. Bedtime is 10pm. (This is two hours later than when we are on a typical school schedule and it’s kind of killing me slowly but I gotta give them something.)
- Rule 4. Before any technology is used in the morning, you must read, do math, practice your foreign language, and work on individual projects.
- Rule 5. The Nintendo Switches in this house are on a timer and can be turned off at will. The automatically go to sleep at 10p.
- One kid each day prepares lunch for everyone else. Grilled cheese, quesadillas, fish sticks…whatever.
How are you promoting screen free activities in your house? Is it a chore or are your kids into it? What are they doing?
