Many people spend a large portion of their day looking at a screen. Many of us do so for work, but when we're done for the day, we turn to our television and other devices. That's not to mention the countless other times during the day we may be checking our phones. Here are ideas for reducing screen time for the whole family.
Place Daily Limits for Non-Work/School Screen Time
Start by having a set limit on screen time outside of work and school projects. That goes for phones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, video games, and even the television. It may be difficult to keep track of everyone's use, especially that of reluctant kids, so you can also try having a set amount of time each day, or each week, that all devices are off. Phones are placed in their designated area, and not to be touched until time is up. The key is to not treat it as punishment, but rather to find fun or otherwise enriching activities to fill that time. You may even start to notice a difference in your electric bill if you do this on a regular basis, since less screen time means less energy used.
Set Up Family Game Nights
Gather the family around the table and play a board/card game. The whole group can have a good time, and possibly even a better time than they would have if they were staring at a screen. A family game means everyone is engaging with one another and making memories that may last a lifetime. As long as you already have the games, a family game night is a virtually free way to have a great time. You can also borrow games from the local library or trade with other families.
Cook With Your Kids
Cooking is another great way to engage your kids and teach them life skills at the same time. Since you're leaving screens out of it, opt to pull out an old cookbook for a tasty recipe, and give the kids a chance to imagine life before the internet. Cooking together is a great way to bond and may lead to recipes and meals that will be re-created throughout their adult lives.
Get Active Together
Use your screen-free time to get active together as a family. Take a walk around the neighborhood or gear up for a nature hike. Go to the park and play ball or find a good path to ride bikes. At home, have a family dance party or see who can do the most push-ups or sit-ups in a given time. Have a family member lead in yoga or stretching exercises. There are endless options, and the health of the whole group will benefit. Outside of any equipment you decide to use, getting active doesn't have to cost you a dime.
Get Creative
Get creative with arts and crafts. Stock up on supplies so there are plenty of materials to work with at any time. Work on projects together or separately to foster skills that may blossom into bigger passions. Holidays provide endless opportunities for crafts, whether it’s gingerbread houses at Christmastime, Valentine hearts in February, or colored eggs at Easter. "Look for crafts that are age appropriate and play to your child’s strengths," says Gabrielle Blair at Design Mom.1 "If the craft is complicated, break it into steps and figure out which ones your child can do.”
Art supplies can get pricey if you go for professional-grade items, but for the purpose of family crafting, you'd be surprised what you can find around the house (think macaroni, old magazines, or food coloring). A dollar store can also be a good place to find craft ideas and supplies.
Enjoy Reading
While it is quite common these days for books to be consumed on electronic devices, it’s still fun to pick up a real book and turn the pages. Take a look at the books around your home and encourage the family to do the same. Are there any you haven't read yet that you are interested in? Otherwise, take a trip to your local library. It costs nothing to enjoy what it has to offer. A card is free, and as long as you return materials on time to avoid late fees, you won’t have to pay to read the books you want.
Reasonable screen time isn't inherently bad. There are many useful and productive ways to use a screen, but it can still be rewarding to put it away from time to time and enjoy other things life has to offer. If you save a little money in the process, that's a good thing, too.
1.https://designmom.com/8-tips-for-doing-arts-crafts-with-kids/