How do you keep your kids interested in outdoor activities when they can get as much entertainment as they want from their screens? Balancing screen time and outdoor activities goes beyond helping them stay fit. It fosters a unique tradition that ensures a healthy balance between screen time and enjoying nature. Getting them to go outside is where the trick is.
Although screens are useful in that they provide us with information, education, entertainment, and other benefits, too much can be counterproductive. Kids need to exercise their bodies as well and this is where outdoor activities come in. Here are several strategies to help you balance screen time and outdoor activities for your kids.
Create strict and clear screen time guidelines
In our family we have several screen time guidelines that we feel make it easy for our kids to balance outdoor activities with what they watch on their screens.
For instance, we do not allow screens on our dinner table. No screens are allowed in our children’s bedrooms as well. We also set how long the kids will watch TV depending on their age. For example, older kids may get longer screen time because they may be using their computers and electronic devices to do research for their schoolwork.
We insist that any time not spent on these screens should be spent doing something creative, that involves outdoor games and other physically involved activities. You can get your twist on this but the point is, to have strict and very clear screen time guidelines and stick to them.
Put Outdoor activities into your daily routine
To encourage kids to spend healthy amounts of time outdoors, make this part of your daily routine. Always schedule play times outdoors where the kids have to go out and enjoy some form of physical exercise.
It does not have to be too demanding. Make it simple so that it does not seem like a punishment. A simple walk around the block, walking the dog, cycling, jogging or simply strolling in your neighborhood for some time will make a difference.
Reward them for going outside
I know bribing kids to make them enjoy outdoor activities may not be popular but it can be a great motivator if you want them to stay outdoors longer. Give them a certain amount of screen time for a certain amount of time spent outdoors.
Picture it this way; the kids earn screen time by spending a certain amount of time outdoors, or by doing a certain physical activity for a certain period.
For instance, you can tell them that for every hour they spend playing outside, they get 30 minutes of screen time. This will motivate them to spend longer outdoors because they longer they stay, the longer they get to enjoy their favorite programs on their screens.
Encourage them to engage in playdates or group activities that build their communication skills and bonds with their peers. Let them join after-school clubs that will require them to spend more time outdoors. Nature clubs and sports clubs are excellent examples because the kids will spend a lot of time outdoors or doing physical activities outside.
Have a tech-free zone in your house
Certain spaces in your house should be designated as technology-free zones. Ensure that no screens or anything electronic devices are present in that space.
A good example would to ensure there are no phones on the dinner table. The family can eat together and engage in a conversation without being interrupted or distracted by screens. If designating tech-free zones is not possible, create screen-free periods.
No one should be allowed to use anything electronic during this period. Come up with other ideas to spend the time without feeling the need to watch something on the screen. When you take your family out for events or outings no one should be engrossed on their phones, by law.
Plan family-oriented adventures
When was the last time you went camping with your kids? When was the last time you had a road trip or a picnic? Family outings and adventures can create wonderful bonding moments without involving screens and digital content. Think of an activity you can do together – a hike, exploring attractions in your locality, a visit to the beach, among others.
Allow your kids to help you plan these adventures as this will heighten the anticipation and hence the experience. Always insist that no one should concentrate on screens when you are doing these family-oriented adventures.
Outdoor play allows your kids to build wonderful social connections they may not develop when playing video games or watching movies on the TV.
Make Screen time a learning moment for kids
If going completely off-screen is tough for you, you can turn this into a learning opportunity. For instance, if your kid is into astronomy, use information gathered on your screen to learn more about constellations the next time you are camping or stargazing.
When heading out into the woods, use apps to learn more about the plants and animals you come across. This makes the outdoor experience more exciting and interesting. A bird-watching app can be used to learn more about the different bird species you see while walking or enjoying outdoor adventures. These apps can be educational and can be used to enrich their experience.
Make the outdoors interesting and exciting
Your kids love watching movies and programs on TV because they are interesting. They love their video games because it keeps their adrenaline flowing. Here you come around telling them you want to them to give up this excitement for a tumble in the woods. They won’t like that as much.
If you want your kids to spend more time outdoors you may need to make this activity fun and interesting. Design the outdoors to be fun, engaging, and involving. Include different kinds of activities in your backyard. For instance, create a garden for the kids, get different kinds of games, and create enjoyable space. Be creative with the outdoor space, especially if you have a small backyard.
Thank you for sharing this! Great information for families.