If you’ve been experiencing more screen time battles in your home over the last few years, you’re not alone. Since the pandemic, kids’ tech use has jumped dramatically—in fact, many teens and tweens spend 6-8 hours each day using screens.
The downside of too much tech
Kids today often have dysfunctional relationships with their devices. Excessive screen use has been linked to a higher risk of sleep and mood disorders, lower grades, eye fatigue, low self-esteem and FOMO (fear of missing out), irritability and aggression, and even manic symptoms.
For expert insights and tips for managing your kids’ tech use with safety, creativity, and balance, listen to Raising The Next Gen Podcast E2: Encouraging Safe and Healthy Tech Habits for Kids.
I’ve had some challenging conversations with my daughters about app access and screen time over the last few years, so I know the struggle is real. While it may be tempting to lock away your kids’ phones and iPads, this approach is likely to earn you some eyerolls (and maybe a slammed door or two). The best way to reduce your family’s screen time is to model healthy device use, manage apps, and cultivate fun, active, and intentional offline experiences.
Creating meaningful experiences together
Unplugging as a family is a powerful way to build lasting memories and create more opportunities for connection. Here are seven screen-free activities to enjoy with your teens and tweens this summer:
1. Explore a new park or natural attraction
Spending just two hours in nature each week can make your kids happier, reduce their stress, boost their immune function, and even help them sleep better. If the weather is too warm for a long afternoon hike outside the city, head to a new-to-you urban park for an evening walk a few times a week.
2. Pretend to be tourists
Plan a day for your family to explore your town as if you were tourists. Many of us are so busy in our day-to-day lives that we never get around to experiencing our city’s unique attractions (unless we’re hosting an out-of-town guest)!
Visit a historical landmark, take a bus or walking tour, check out a local museum, enjoy a meal at a buzzed-about restaurant… the possibilities are endless. Use a single phone to take pictures and look up directions. Take turns holding it, so the rest of the family can just be present.
3. Volunteer as a family
Volunteering can be an incredibly meaningful and heart-led experience for your entire family. Supporting a worthy cause with your time and energy creates a strong feeling of connection with your community, and often has the bonus of teaching new skills.
Being in service to others gives kids a sense of purpose, gratitude, and appreciation. Working alongside a diverse group of volunteers will improve their social skills, and older teens can explore their interests and gain experience as they decide on their next steps!
4. Visit the library
Whether your kids are enthusiastic about board games, coding, or crafts, they’ll likely find a program or drop-in class they’ll love. If your library has a maker space, they may also be able to experiment with 3D printing, embroidery, or button-making. Many libraries also have free exhibits and live events, so keep an eye on the calendar.
5. Start a garden
Whether you have a backyard or a balcony, gardening is a wonderful way to teach kids responsibility, build their self-esteem, and nurture their appreciation for our incredible natural world. Let them pick out an herb, flower, or vegetable to plant and look after, and encourage them to research how to help it grow!
For actionable tips that can help you turn chores into opportunities for tech-free connection, listen to Raising The Next Gen Podcast E10: Chores, Connection, and Curbing the Clicks.
6. Have a picnic in the park
Have your kids plan and prepare the menu, and consider picking up some fun napkins from the dollar store to make things feel festive. Pack a small bluetooth speaker, let your kids create a special picnic playlist, and bring along badminton rackets, hula hoops, or a frisbee.
7. Head out to a street festival
Exploring a street festival is a fantastic way to spend a family afternoon. I love that festivals offer a blend of music, food, shopping, entertainment, and positive vibes, so there’s something for everyone. Toronto, for example, has dozens of street festivals celebrating different cultures, cuisines, and arts. If the larger and rowdier festivals don’t appeal to you, keep an eye out for smaller festivals and block parties hosted by cultural groups and business improvement associations.
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