The battle over screen time is a familiar one for pretty much every parent.
It’s a tricky balance to strike between allowing your kids to watch TV and use devices like their iPads or games consoles, and wanting them to enjoy other forms of play and entertainment.
Playing with toys, getting outside, crafting, reading and socialising with other kids are all important things we want to see our kids doing. But the draw of the screen is pretty strong!
Certainly in our house, the summer break from school often finds us relying on screens more than we would like while my husband and I are trying to work.
The secret to getting your kids to reduce screen time without too many arguments, is to set clear boundaries and expectations.
I made this chart to help us find a balance and it’s worked great!
You can grab your free copy, plus a blank version, at the end of this article.
Why use a screen time checklist
Using the screen time rules chart is simple.
Grab your copy and print as many as you need. I like to stick ours on the fridge where it is visible.
You can laminate it too, so that your kids can tick off the list, then wipe and reuse, every day of the summer.
Use this chart when kids are off school for the summer holidays, or during weekends when you want to limit their screen time.
It sets out the things your child needs to do in order to get screen time.
At the end of the chart, there is space for you to set out how much screen time your kids can have once they have completed the checklist.
I’ve found having this list means the kids not only are incentivised to do some chores around the house – just the basics like making their bed and tidying their toys away – but they also get themselves up for the day.
With the playtime suggestions – some outdoor play, a little crafting and some reading – this encourages kids to get away from their screens.
You’ll see that MOST of this list is fun stuff! It’s not all about making them slave away, even if they may claim it is at first. It’s about encouraging them to do other play activities.
Once they get started with a great book, or playing a game outside, they will not see it as a chore!
Free summer screen checklist printable
Get your free printable checklist right here.
If you are still looking for ways to make the summer break easier, then check out my summer bucket list for kids – packed with fun ideas for things for them to do.
Also my summer schedule for kids is the perfect way to organise your weeks, so that kids always have ideas for something to do!
