With the holidays around the corner, your child will have plenty of free time over fall and winter break. With no classes, homework or after-school activities, it’s easy to become lost in phones, TVs and computers. Without a plan in place, those extra hours of free time can quickly turn into screen time overload. Here are some ways to help your child strike a healthy balance and make the most of their holiday breaks:

Start with a Conversation

Before setting any screen time limits, sit down and have a conversation with your family. Start by discussing why it’s important to create limits and how too much screen time can take away from time spent with loved ones and favorite holiday traditions. Explain that by stepping away from screens, they’ll have more time to play and connect with others, which is what the holidays are all about!

Set Screen Time Limits

Once your family has talked through the importance of managing screen time, the next step is to decide on daily limits. These will look different depending on your child’s age. For example, it’s generally recommended that children between the ages of two and five spend about one hour of screen time per day, while older children can spend around two hours. This includes watching TV, playing games or using educational programs. The key is setting realistic, age-appropriate boundaries that work for your family.

Create a Family “Screens Off” Time

Screen time limits work best if the whole family participates. Designate a time each day when everyone, parents included, puts their screens away. This includes phones, tablets, laptops and any other electronic devices. You can have everyone set their devices in a central spot to charge, like the kitchen, and dedicate this time to doing something together. Whether it’s reading a book, playing a board game or going outside for some fresh air, this daily break ensures that your family spends quality time together with no distractions. 

Encourage Other Activities

Keeping children engaged with fun, hands-on activities makes it easier to cut down on screen use. If your child is entertained, chances are they won’t feel drawn to electronics. Plan family outings, like visiting holiday festivals, looking at holiday lights or going to farmers markets. At home, encourage your child to read holiday stories, create arts and crafts, or help with cooking and wrapping gifts. Not only are these activities fun, but they’re also beneficial to your child’s development. You can also encourage your child to help with chores around the house to occupy their time and teach them responsibility.

Involve Them in Making Some of the Decisions

Children are more likely to follow screen time guidelines if they have a say in creating them. Ask for their input when creating daily limits or family “screens off” times. Ask them how much screen time they think is fair to have each day and what time of day makes the most sense for the family to unplug and spend time with each other. When they’re included in the decision-making process, they feel empowered while learning important lessons about accountability and self-regulation.

Lake Forrest Prep, a private school in Orlando, understands the importance of keeping children engaged over holiday breaks. Learning doesn’t stop because class isn’t in session; it continues at home through meaningful routines and activities that nurture growth. Learn how Lake Forrest Prep supports students inside and outside of the classroom by visiting our website or scheduling a tour!