Reducing Screen Time: 5 Screen-free alternatives for Family Fun and Connection

Reducing Screen Time: 5 Screen-free alternatives for Family Fun and Connection

Ok, so you’ve made the big decision; you are ready to begin reducing screen time use for you and your family. If you’re still on the fence about this one then check out some of our other blogs about the science behind excessive screen time. But as you’re still reading; I’ll assume that we’re on the same page about wanting to start reducing screen time so that your family can spend more time connecting together and strengthening your relationships as you build precious memories. Perhaps you are feeling confused about where to start; and how to go about reducing screen time as peacefully and respectfully as possible for your family. After all, it is likely to involve some big changes for everyone and this could be tricky as you all adapt. Keep in mind the significant advantages of reducing screen time; the benefits to your mental, physical and spiritual health for you and your children. How easier it will be for you all to truly connect and value each other when you are not competing with the noise and endless notifications which screens bring to the home. So, let’s discover together some super alternatives to screens. These may just be your gateway to connection, family fun and increased understanding; now who wouldn’t want more of that?! 

5 Screen Free Activities

  1. Get outdoors and explore

The research tells us that screen time and green time (time outdoors) are inversely proportional [1]. This means that the more screen time someone has; the less green time a person is likely to have. Hooray; reducing screen time means that you and your family will be outdoors more. The research strongly indicates that this is good for both our mental and physical health [2]. 


So, depending on the ages of your children: 


  • discover a new playground together

  • dig on the beach

  • walk around a lake

  • climb a hill and fly a kite

  • go orienteering

  • hike up a mountain

  • go on a bike ride together (you can hire bikes if you don’t own them)

  • join a park run

  • take part in a mud race or an obstacle course


The possibilities are endless! With the fresh air in your lungs, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world; you are sure to start seeing some wonderful benefits of reducing screen time.


  1. Plan, create and eat delicious food together

Families who regularly enjoy mealtimes together do well together by every measure [3]. When you begin reducing screen time in your household; you can start embracing slow living. Indeed, when you are not competing against the screens in your home for the attention of your family; you will find that you have a lot more time to talk and be together. 

Within our modern lifestyles, mealtimes have sadly frequently become sidelined with food eaten on-the-go. Yet, this wasn’t how it was meant to be. God made us to enjoy food together and to build relationships over meals; “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10 v 31). Now that your family is reducing screen time; it is time to re-discover the simple joy in fresh, healthy slow food and mealtimes. What does this look like practically? Well, it means that we can take time to plan our meals together. What are everyone’s favourite meals? What would make for a really special family dinner? Your family may even like to create a ‘restaurant-at-home’; with candles, music and table decorations. You can catch up on the days’ highs and lows together and celebrate each family member whilst you enjoy the nutrition and comfort which a lovingly prepared meal can bring. Do the children want to get more involved in the cooking? Great. Older children can even take full ownership of the planning and preparation of the meal. These are some of the wonderful benefits which reducing screen time can bring you and your family.  


  1. Discover some amazing boardgames together

Maybe your memories of boardgames aren’t great? Perhaps you find them boring or even argument-inducing? Let me initiate you into a (poorly-kept) secret; boardgames can be fun, engaging, enjoyable, hilarious and challenging! The key is to find the right boardgames for your family in terms of: level, strategy, length and theming. Reducing screen time can lead to a passion for the wonderful way in which boardgames can engage your family and even bring you unity and shared passions. 

Here are my top boardgames for family-time enjoyment:


  • The Muddles: silly, crazy, animal matching game; great for playing with younger ones.

  • Unstable unicorns: clever strategies, cunning tactics: this is a game which the whole family can enjoy.

  • Muffin Time or Don’t Get Got: for teens who want to gang up against their parents.

  • Dominion: if you love strategy and interesting tactical cards then this one’s for you and yours.

  • Dorfromantik or What Next: try these collaborative games for some family team-building enjoyment.

  • Backpacker: light-hearted card game for families who love to travel or simply enjoy geography.

  • Carcassonne: tile-building game-joy as you create a beautiful landscape together.


  1. Complete a challenge together

The thing about screens is that they are limiting to your creativity; you can never truly adventure together via screens. We were created to need the touch of a loved one; to look deep into each other’s eyes and to see what passion and imagination burns within. Reducing screen time means that you get to be endlessly creative and adventurous together. Yes, reducing screen time enables you to follow your dreams and to conquer new challenges together. Indeed, perhaps it is only when we begin reducing screen time that we can discover more of the spark within us. That which makes us want to discover more of the world around us and wonder at its natural beauty. 

Here is some inspiration for family challenges which you will have more time for when you begin the journey of reducing screen time. The possibilities are endless; find out what brings your family life and joy and go for it!


  • Complete an open water swimming obstacle course together.

  • Go camping; cook your dinner on a fire and take time to enjoy gazing at the stars as a family. If your children are very young; why not consider ‘camping out’ in the living room?

  • Complete a Lego challenge together: build the most stable bridge you can (how much weight can it hold?), create the Lego vehicle of your dreams, design a Lego desert island or make a crazy mythical Lego creature. Remember that creativity comes in all forms; they are countless ways in which to get creative together. 

  • Race in sledges down a snowy hill. 

  • Climb a hill or mountain together and then celebrate with a gourmet picnic at the top whilst you all take in the views. 

  • Solve a puzzle or a treasure hunt together. You could go orienteering as a family. 


  1. Talk about your hopes for the year ahead

As the Christmas Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem puts it; “the hopes and fears of all the years; are found in You tonight”. Does this verse capture the story of your family? If not; is there something that you are missing together? Are you able to grow in faith together and serve the Lord as a family? Reducing screen time will enable you all to spend more time in worship, prayer and fellowship. Indeed, by reducing screen time we can set our eyes more firmly on God and listen for His whisper within the busyness of our lives. God created us for a life lived alongside other people; loving our neighbour. Surely, reducing screen time will enable us to carry this out more fully. 

When we set about reducing screen time; we can embrace slow living and so give time to sharing the hopes and passions within our families. This may look like long, uninterrupted conversations around the dinner table. It could be planning special days out together or even working out what sort of summer holiday would give us joy and togetherness as a family. By reducing screen time; we can dedicate time and energy to meeting each family member’s needs more fully. We will have more time for: museums, art galleries, books, challenges, sports, walks, meals and simply being together. Indeed, it could be that by reducing screen time you and your family discover what it is which makes you uniquely you. 


May you and your family enjoy the glorious benefits and togetherness which reducing screen time within your household brings. 


References

[1] Oswald TK, Rumbold AR, Kedzior SGE, Moore VM (2020) Psychological impacts of “screen time” and “green time” for children and adolescents: A systematic scoping review. PLOS ONE 15(9): e0237725. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237725

[2] Muppalla SK, Vuppalapati S, Reddy Pulliahgaru A, Sreenivasulu H. Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. Cureus. 2023 Jun 18;15(6):e40608. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40608. PMID: 37476119; PMCID: PMC10353947.

[3] Harvard Graduate School of Education, The Benefit of Family Mealtime, accessed via:

https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/20/04/benefit-family-mealtime

 

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