10 Tips for Balancing Screen Time & Backyard Time with the Kids

Utilizing technologies’ positives on a daily basis can improve lives, create efficiencies and make entertaining, educating and connecting easier. There are, of course, negative aspects of technology as well. In some cases, technology has the potential to negatively affect physical and emotional health.

Many parents struggle with how to balance technology use with their kids, particularly now that it is well established in their education.

Here are 10 suggestions to limit screen time for kids

(disclaimer: some of these do still use technology)

1. Create a List of Activities to Be Completed Before Screen Time:

   1. Read – 30 minutes
   2. Go Outside – 30 minutes
   3. Study – 30 minutes
   4. Be Creative – 30 minutes
   5. Etc.

2. Use an App Like Brili:

   • Give each child a routine of tasks to complete (e.g., 3 tasks per day).
   • When they have completed an item in their routine, they swipe left.
   • They can earn screen time and other rewards.

3. Schedule Screen Time at the Start of Each Week:

   • Allocate a certain number of hours per week for screen time.
   • Have the kids schedule their screen hours for the coming week.
   • If they use up their hours on the first day, that’s it—no passes.

4. Set Limits with Apps Like Dinner Time or Screentime:

   • Set limits on your child’s device from your phone.
   • Schedule different limits for weekdays vs. weekends and specific break times.
   • Select which apps are part of the time limit and which are exempt (e.g., music, daily math challenges, or meditation).

5. Turn Screen Time into Family Time:

   • Have a family movie night.
   • Play video games together in cooperative mode or verse one another.

6. Use the Coupon System:

   • Create four half-hour coupons to limit screen time to a maximum of two hours.
   • Chores, learning, and play come first for at least an hour, then they can redeem a coupon.
   • Use a timer and respect the time limit.

7. Create a Bingo Game:

   • Create bingo squares with activities like playing with blocks/Legos, doing a good deed, playing outside, drawing a picture, etc.
   • Each bingo equals 30 minutes of screen time.
   • Find lots of ideas and templates on Pinterest!
   • 

8. Collect Electronics in the Evening:

   • Have the kids turn in all electronics in the evening.
   • They must complete a list of chores and/or reading before getting them back in the morning.

9. Limit Screen Time During Summer Days:

   • Cut off video games and iPads during the day.
   • Allow TV watching in the evening only.

10. Use a Router to Control WIFI Access:

    • Buy a router that can co
    • ntrol WIFI access on different devices.
    • Enable or disable WIFI and schedule times through the router’s webpage.

Bonus Tip: Looking to cut down on screen time and keep your kids active? Transform your backyard into a fun-filled playground with a playset, trampoline, or basketball hoop! These exciting additions not only provide endless entertainment but also encourage your children to spend more time outdoors, away from screens. Imagine the joy and laughter as they swing, bounce, and shoot hoops, all while getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. At Backyard Fun Zone, we’re here to help you choose the perfect outdoor equipment to suit your family’s needs. From durable playsets that spark imaginative adventures to trampolines that offer hours of bouncing fun and basketball hoops that inspire friendly competitions, we have everything you need to create a healthy, active outdoor space. Let us help you reduce screen time and bring more outdoor fun to your backyard!

Important: Be a Role Model

As digital adults we are frequently on devices at home. It’s hard to limit screen time for kids when you may need to be on a device for work, to shop or just for entertainment purposes. Kids learn behavior from watching their parents, so modeling how you want them to use technology is a good way to create balance. They can learn to navigate their technology-enhanced lives, if you show them what moderation looks like.

Parenting (and life) is full of ups and downs. Just remember, don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re absolutely nailing it and other times you’ll wonder how you managed through the day. Find what works for you and if, for some reason, there is a week where your kids are on devices more than they’re not, then so be it. You can always start fresh next week.

For an insightful read on this topic, don’t miss our post on “How Kids Learn Through Play”.