If you have trouble getting your kid to put down their iPad and spend time with family, you’re not alone. Recent studies show that the average teen or tween spends up to 8 hours a day scrolling through social media and watching YouTube. This is no accident: these platforms are deliberately designed to maximize the time spent on them, using mechanisms like targeted content, dopamine-triggering feedback,  and the infinite scroll to keep your kid glued to their device.

While there are many excellent reasons to reduce screen time, like improving self esteem, sleep hygiene, and mood, most modern parents struggle to compete with sneaky social media algorithms, and many choose a heavy-handed approach that can wind up doing more harm than good. 

Instead of confiscating devices and “grounding” your kid from using tech, be the change you want to see by making sure the adults in your home model healthy and moderate tech use. Keep phones tucked away during meals, turn off notifications during meaningful conversations, and fill your family’s calendar with fun activities that happen offline.

Unplugging and reconnecting as a family

Enjoying intentional, phone-free experiences as a family helps you nurture connection, create lasting memories, and explore powerful opportunities for deeper communication. Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en make autumn an especially exciting time to plan some family fun—here are six of my favourite fall activities to enjoy with teens and tweens:

1. Go for a hike

As the leaves change from green to a gorgeous mix of red and gold, it’s the perfect time to take your family to a park or conservation area for a brisk hike or leisurely stroll. Spending just two hours in nature each week has a positive impact on stress levels, immune function, and overall mood, for both kids and adults. Want to add a little extra ‘oomph’ to your nature walk? Consider downloading a bird-watching app to keep track of your sightings, or collect the most eye-catching leaves to press in a family scrapbook.

2. Visit a local farm

Many farms offer an assortment of family-friendly activities in the fall, including hay rides, corn mazes, face painting, apple picking, mini putt, haunted barns, and petting zoos. Some farms, like Dyment’s Glen Drummond Farm in Dundas, Ontario or Chudleigh’s in Milton, feature food trucks, local artisans, and other vendors. With so much to do, see, and eat, an autumn farm visit can turn into a full afternoon of fun! 

Note: be sure to check the farm’s website online before heading over. Due to the popularity of these events, some farms do require families to book tickets online.

3. Enjoy a haunted walk or ghost tour

Historical walks are an incredible way to learn more about your city while enjoying the fresh air. Local historians offer themed walks during the fall months, focusing on cemeteries, “haunted” buildings, or neighbourhoods with especially colourful pasts—even kids who yawn at local history the rest of the year will likely perk up during a ghost tour! Fill some travel mugs with pumpkin spice tea, slip on comfortable walking shoes, and get to know the spooky side of your town together.

4. DIY Hallowe’en costumes

If your family celebrates Hallowe’en, consider taking a full do-it-yourself approach to your costumes. There are countless beginner tutorials available for each step of the process, from shaping foam to using sewing patterns to applying makeup. While this activity may be more time-consuming than others on the list, it’s a great way to learn or improve skills such as sewing, papier-mâché, sculpting, wig-styling, FX makeup, and even thrifting. Your child may even discover their new passion! 

5. Plan a month-long film festival

Turn the month of October into your family’s personal film festival by choosing one or two nights per week to watch a movie together. Let each family member take a turn choosing an appropriate scary or Thanksgiving-themed movie. On spooky movie nights, add to the fun by prepping some Hallowe’en snacks as a family, like pumpkin patch brownies or mummy hot dogs.

6. Head to the library

In addition to the games and courses offered throughout the year, your local branch is likely hosting holiday crafting sessions and age-appropriate movie nights throughout September and October. For example, teens can create their own clay and decoupage pumpkins at the Toronto Public Library Kennedy-Eglinton branch, tweens can enjoy a Hallowe’en crafting session at the Bendale branch, and the Hamilton Public Library system is hosting a full program of Fright Fest activities during October. 

Has your child started or moved to a new school this autumn? Entrepreneur and single mom Amy Aravantinos shares valuable insights about navigating change and building resilience in Raising The Next Gen Podcast E11: School Transitions and Modelling Healthy Living.