{"id":6971,"date":"2020-05-15T13:45:58","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T12:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wickeduncle.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6971"},"modified":"2026-04-09T09:31:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:31:53","slug":"19-brilliant-ideas-to-get-children-off-their-screens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wickeduncle.co.uk\/blog\/19-brilliant-ideas-to-get-children-off-their-screens\/","title":{"rendered":"19 Brilliant Ideas To Get Children Off Their Screens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
While there\u2019s nothing wrong with a little screen time, children still need plenty of play, exercise and sleep. But convincing kids to step away from the tablet can be challenging. Here are 19 ideas to get children off their screens!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Ready for some awesome ideas? Here we go…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Techniques and Tactics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Turn the WiFi off at a specific time each evening — this means the whole family must find things to do that don\u2019t involve the internet. Even you, mum and dad!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Have a \u201cno phones at mealtime\u201d rule. Instead, use mealtimes to chat, catch up and actually enjoy the food!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2022 Lead by example. Download a screentime monitoring app and set reminders to put away your own phone. When your kids see you doing other activities, they are more likely to want to step away from their tech too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Motivating children to put their tablets down and help around the house with chores can be challenging. Make them earn screen time by completing household tasks. For example, unload the dishwasher and earn 10 minutes, or clean their bedroom for a half-hour block. Nothing wrong with a little bribery…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Have regular, honest conversations about screen time. Don’t necessarily frame it as a “bad” thing – just as something you’d like to minimise as a family. Explain the rationale behind your thinking in ways that kids can understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Make a \u201cpublic screen time\u201d rule for the children. This means no phones, tablets or consoles in bedrooms. This helps you keep an eye on what they\u2019re doing and how much time they\u2019re actually spending online.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\u2022 Start a screen-time log for the whole family. Everyone must document all of the time they spend looking at screens each day. Each week, check in and have a family discussion about the numbers and how to keep reducing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Charge all phones and tablets in your bedroom overnight to prevent the children from sneaking onto them late at night or early in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Use parental control apps to set daily-use limits on children’s devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Make sure that kids unplug at least an hour before bed each night. This will help ensure that they get the best sleep possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Limit the number of apps and games your children can access at any one time. For example, let them choose only one game to keep on their tablet for a week. When the week is up, they can decide to keep that game or delete it and download a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 During the day, set an hourly challenge. For instance, at the start of each hour, everyone must drop everything and do twenty star-jumps. This will help kids keep an eye on the time, and it’ll also remind everyone to put away the screens for a few minutes and get active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Alternative Activities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Try listening instead of watching. Download a family-friendly audiobook or a podcast – hey, it doesn\u2019t really count as screen time if no one\u2019s actually looking at the screen, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Go on a nature walk, preferably out of WiFi range. Bring pads and pencils to sketch trees and flowers. Much more fun than simply snapping photos on your phone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Avid gamers might be tempted off their phones with a board game. Introduce children to “analogue” classics, such as Monopoly and Chess. Or try something new! <\/p>\n\n\n
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