5 Screen Time Alternatives … That Work!
As a mom and cofounder at Figgy, I’ve spent way too much time down the rabbit hole of the benefits of reducing screen time for kids. It can lead to obesity, behavior problems, poor sleep quality and the list goes on and on.
I also know limiting screen time can be really hard to do. For me the biggest triggers were in the morning before I had my cup of coffee, in the car, and after a LONG day at work. It just seemed like the easiest thing to do was turn on the tv or let my kids play iPad. But I knew it wasn’t the best thing for them.
When I’d take the screen away, there were meltdowns. I watched them play less and ask for more screen time. And they generally disengaged with everyone to focus on the show they were watching. I knew I wanted to do better so by trial and error, I came up with these things that really helped my family and I saw such an improvement in their attitudes and willingness to try new things and connect with others.
Create activity baskets
I love curating a mix of activity baskets for my kids. It’s super easy and I keep them in different locations, like in the kitchen and car. Take a container or basket and place different items coloring books, play dough, crayons, beads + string. Switch up the items every couple of weeks.
Minimize toy clutter and curate a couple of key pieces
Kids get overwhelmed by too many toys. Ever notice you have a million toys, and they never get played with? Try removing and storing most of the toys but a few curated pieces. Your kids will actually play MORE! In our home, we have a Figgy in the living room, and a Biggie Wedge, and a box of MagnaTiles.
Consider an audio player
I love our Yoto Player. It gives my kids the option to have some downtime and listen to a story—the perfect alternative to sitting on the couch and watching cartoons. My kids love that they have the autonomy to pick their Yoto card and play it. It's easy to use, and there are a ton of titles!
Recipes
Cooking with kids can be messy, but it doesn’t have to be. Similar to the activity baskets, I keep a tub in my pantry for some easy kid recipes. For example, we love these no-bake peanut butter balls. It’s a great way for them to practice measuring and mixing and making! For a non-edible recipe, my kids love to make slime. It’s super easy to keep the components on hand and we just throw it away when we are done.
Book basket
This is super simple and a great way to spend some time together. Every couple of days, I stick two books in a basket next to the couch. My kids know they can also switch out the books anytime! We read together and always have something right there to look forward too. If your haven’t read the Grump Monkey books, they are a fan favorite!
