Making a summer schedule can help in reducing screen time battles and keeping kids active! Set up a routine for summer that include screen time limits.
With summer fast approaching our kids will have much more free time available. That doesn’t mean it’s a free for all to binge on screens.
As we head into summer let’s make a plan to set limits on screens. By setting up limits from the start it will help avoid battles later.
How much screen time is too much?
Screen time can be a hot topic in our house even with a limit in place. As a mom I am aware of the effect screen time can have on the attitude of my children. There have been many times when I have allowed more screen time than normal so that I could finish up cleaning the house or get some work done. Then when I ask them to get off screens the whiny voices start or arguing with me or other siblings happens.
I don’t know of a study that specifically addresses the effect screen time has on child behavior, but I have been a witness to how it affects my own children’s behavior. I found this article from Psychology Today by Victoria L. Dunckley, M.D. very informative on how screen time can effect sleep and brain function in children.
In our house I know screen limits are important. I don’t want most of their summer spent in front of a screen.
For summer, the screen rules change some and I like to allow for some more freedom of screens , but I also don’t want it to rule the day or the minds of my kids.
Rules For Summer Screen Time
With my children’s input we came up with a Summer Schedule to keep their minds active and engaged. There are requirements that need to be met each day before they may have screen time.
Having a daily checklist that includes chores, creativity, educational activities and movement gives your kiddos a routine for summer that keeps them active while still allowing device time.
Here is our summer schedule:
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Summer Morning Routine
- 8 am wake-up
- make bed
- get dressed
- brush teeth & hair
- eat breakfast
30 Minutes of Exercise or Outside Play
- ride bikes or scooter
- go for a walk
- work-out DVD or YouTube kids dance video
- swim
- jump rope
- play at a park
20 Minutes Reading
- chapter book
- Bible
- devotion book
- Kindle book
- audio book
Math Review
- flash cards
- timed test
- math game
- worksheet
- math lesson
20 Minutes Writing or Coloring
- write a short story
- draw a picture
- color a picture
- write in journal
- practice writing your name
Do Chore(s)
- weekly chore
- 1 paid chore
Be Creative
- make or build something ( Legos, cardboard, paper)
- make a craft
- do a puzzle
- create with play-doh
- use a sticker book
- do a science experiment
- draw
These books help to spark the creative juices in my kids. Check them out!
Be Helpful and Think of Others
- play with a family member
- ask if there is a job you can do
- help a neighbor
This schedule keeps my kids active until lunch time. We have been using this summer schedule for 5 years now! It works so well. The kids know what is expected of them before they can ask for media time. I also have a good time being active and creative with them!
Get Your Summer Schedule Printable
What schedule do you use with your kids during the summer? Are screens a hot topic for your family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
♥Love this post? You can find more fun summer activities here:
7+ Simple and Fun Summer Activities For Kids
5 Free and Low Cost Summer Activities for Families
Summer is the same for us as all year round since my littles are both under 5, but we try to stick to two short periods of screen time a day. I take the kids out (which is challenging in the summers because we live in Florida) and do art projects and anything fun we can find. I loved your ideas!
Thanks Christina! We are in AZ so we have to get outside early! I’m right there with you in the summer heat. Glad for swimming pools 🙂
Wonderful post and list! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Julie! Glad you enjoyed the Summer Schedule.
You are so right about extra screen time backfiring. It can be a tempting solution when we are doing projects etc, but it never ends well.
Thanks Karen. I have to remind myself of the result of extended media time. I’d rather come back to my project later then have the poor attitudes from my kids!
I really enjoyed your post. I didn’t have any trouble with my children wanting to watch TV. They loved going outside and playing all day. It was always a fight to get them inside and in the tub at night. I guess it was the time they lived in my children are now in there 30’s and when they come by the farm now they still can be found outside, on the porch, in the barns, in the front pastures with the horses. I do see now TV is used as a babysitter, with parents busy schedules I’m sure its hard working and raising kids today.
Sherry, I’m glad you enjoyed my post. Things definitely have changed as far as technology goes now. I also grew up playing outside till dark during the summer. I remember my Mom having us wash our feet in the sink before putting us to bed. We had an Atari and would watch a few cartoons in the morning. Now there are tablets, phones, iPads, Kindles, gaming systems and the list goes on. I’m trying to establish boundaries for screen time at a young age in my children and hope it helps them be more self regulating as they move into the teen years 😊