As the weather warms and days grow longer, spring offers a perfect opportunity to step away from screens and enjoy the outdoors! Reducing screen time not only benefits physical and mental health, but strengthens family bonds and fosters creativity. Health experts say screen time at home should be less than two hours a day for adults and children, and here’s a few different ways to help you and your family reduce screen time this spring!
Start by having a family conversation to discuss screen time and to set limits and goals. Chat about what your screen time currently looks like, and what is your family total is per week. Seeing where your family is with their screen time will help you all decide on daily or weekly goals and sets a baseline. Setting goals based on current behavior will help everyone feel motivated to achieve them. Using parental controls or apps to monitor usage will help each member to stay accountable. You could even create designated screen-free zones, like the dining room or bedrooms, to promote more face-to-face interaction.
The spring weather could be a great opportunity for outdoor adventures! Planning a family hike, bike ride, picnic, or trip to the park are great ways to explore the area you live and encourage your family to enjoy the sunlight. Gardening, playing sports, or even walking the dog can provide a fun and active alternative to screen-based entertainment.
On rainy days, reaching for the craft box is a way to get creative and stay true to your goals. Hands-on activities such as puzzles, crafting, cooking, and reading can be great ways to spend time together without leaving the house! Starting a family project where everyone can contribute can be a wonderful way to get each member involved. Something like building a birdhouse, creating an art display, or a family version of your favorite board game are great examples!
Leading your family by example is a key factor to decreasing your overall screentime. Taking charge in holding yourself and your family accountable will help model these new healthy habits. Celebrate milestones in your screen time journey as you hit them to reward consistent efforts with fun screen free activities. A family camping trip, pizza night, or beach day could be fun rewards to highlight how much your family has grown!
Decreasing the amount of time we spend on screens can be difficult, but not impossible. These tips can help you and your family explore new ways to have less screen time this spring. By being intentional with screens, getting outside, and diving into creativity, families can build stronger connections and create lasting memories while building a healthier lifestyle!
To view the spring 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.
