How to Reduce Your Kids’ Screen Time During a Getaway
A family getaway can start with such good intentions. Be it spending time at the beach and getting some fresh air, enjoying some new scenery, a break from the usual routine and some actual family time that doesn’t feel rushed for once. But just like a lot of adults, even kids have a problem with the temptation to get their phone out, their tablet, their Nintendo Switch, you name it. So now it’s looking a lot like everyday life except everyone’s in a different postcode and somebody paid far too much for snacks at a service station.
And of course, as a parent, it can be frustrating. Because after spending money on a trip, packing half the house, and trying to make the whole thing feel special, nobody wants to look over and realise the kids are just staring at a screen in a new location. So, what’s the best way to get your kids to reduce their screen time?
Start By Picking Somewhere That Gives Them Something to Notice
This matters a lot more than people think. If the accommodation is basically just four walls and a bed, then of course, kids are going to drift back towards screens every time there’s a quiet patch. You don’t want to create the same environment that you live in at home. There’s only so much excitement a standard room can offer before somebody starts asking for a device.
So, it’s a good idea to look into accommodation that offers a lot. Some people will opt for a cruise since there are so many things to do there. You could also consider an RV campsite since those are usually in nature areas, so it gives the whole family a chance to wander, explore and get plenty of fresh air. The same goes for a cabin in the woods, a lake house, or a beach house, so those options are available as well.
Stop Handing Over Screens for Every Tiny Gap
That’s easier said than done, of course. But if every quiet moment gets filled with a screen, kids start expecting that straight away and they don’t even get the chance to be bored. When children get some screen-free time, they often will start making odd little games up, noticing things outside, asking questions, and doing the kind of silly holiday things they’ll actually remember later.
Be Sure to Make the Holiday Feel Different from Home
Which was a driving point already mentioned. If the trip feels too similar to normal life, the screen habits usually follow right along. But when the day feels different, kids are a lot more willing to get pulled into what’s around them. You could consider having long leisurely breakfasts together, maybe some evening walks where you try and spot animals, playing cards and other games you all enjoy, eat dinner outside, and maybe stay up a little later.
Kids don’t need a packed itinerary every second. They just need enough little moments that feel different from home, because that’s what really starts competing with the screen.
This is a collaborative post.
