How to Turn Kids Screen Time into Quality Time – And Why Screen Time is Just as Important as Screen-Free Time

In a world where screens surround us everywhere, it’s easy to feel like they’re stealing away the meaningful moments with our children. But wait – what if you could turn screen time into something positive, something that creates real family connection? And what about screen-free time – how can we create family experiences that help us truly bond?

In this article, I invite you to discover how to balance screen time with screen-free time, so that every moment with your kids becomes a fulfilling family experience.

This tool will also significantly help you when you want to make changes to your screen time policy at home. It’s a simple tool where I jot down ideas for fun activities with the kids – both with and without screens.

Why Spend Screen Time with Your Kids?

Screen time doesn’t have to be negative if we know how to manage it properly. There are many benefits to spending screen time with your kids, such as:

• Strengthening family bonds: When you watch a movie together or play a video game, you’re creating shared experiences.

• Opportunities for learning: Screens can be used for learning new things, such as educational apps like Duolingo or video tutorials.

• Creating conversations: After watching a movie or show, you can open up a discussion about what you’ve seen and learn how your kids think and interpret things.

• Enjoying together: Digital games like puzzles or Rayman give you a chance to laugh and have fun as a family.

While screen time has its benefits, it’s crucial to set limits and maintain balance. That’s where my simple tool comes in – it helps me plan screen time and screen-free time in advance, so that there’s always a mindful choice.

Planning Screen Time in Advance

When it comes to screen time with the kids, it’s important to plan ahead:

• Choosing quality content: Select age-appropriate content that sparks interest. Watching a show or movie together can become a fun family experience.

• Setting defined screen time: Decide in advance when and how screen time will happen. For example, planning a movie binge on the weekend or 30 minutes of video games a day.

• Interactive screen time: Don’t just sit and watch – ask questions and react together to the content. This way, screens become a tool for developing conversation and connection.

Planning Screen-Free Time in AdvanceAlongside screen time, it’s equally important to plan for screen-free moments:

• Setting clear screen-free times: Times like family meals or bedtime should be screen-free zones where the focus is on conversation, connection, and other activities.

• Offering fun alternatives: To avoid over-reliance on screens, provide your children with exciting non-screen activities like board games, gardening, or cooking together.

By combining screen time with screen-free time, you’re sending a positive message to your children – that you’re consciously choosing to use screens alongside other enriching activities. With planning, the transition between the two becomes smoother and more enjoyable.

Stuff to do with my kid with and without screens

Suggestions for Screen Time Activities:

• Watch a movie or series together, have a binge night

• Just Dance – shared dancing time

• Create a family photo album or collage

• Solve a digital puzzle

• Play a cooperative video game like Rayman

• Learn something new together (Duolingo, piano, drawing)

• Make a joint presentation on Canva

• Create a family Kahoot quiz

• Discover new places in the world with Google Earth

• Choose a dinner menu together and cook it

Suggestions for Screen-Free Activities:

• Play a board game (Monopoly, Uno)

• Do yoga together (you can also integrate screen time using YouTube)

• Sit “like at a café” (or actually go to a café)

• Escape room at home (or a treasure hunt outside)

• Play puzzles and crosswords from the newspaper

• Go to the park, ride bikes

• Indoor gardening or taking care of plants

• Cook and bake together

• Build structures with blocks or Lego

• Reading time (read to them or let them read)

Final Thoughts:When we pay attention to managing screen time and screen-free time, we create enjoyable and meaningful experiences with our kids – both with and without screens.

What screen time activities do you enjoy doing with your kids? And what do you do together without screens? Let us know!