Screen time vs. Summer time: the sun should always win

School’s out and summertime has finally arrived, which means it’s time to soak up the sun and enjoy the incredible weather. One of the biggest challenges that tags along with the summer heat? Finding a way to keep your kids busy and active for the next 104 days of vacation. Convincing your kids to put down the iPad and head outside has become a growing problem.  On average, kids spend six and a half hours per day looking at screens. With tablets, Virtual Reality video games, and smartphones growing up in 2018 is a completely different landscape than we experienced as kids.

The days of being allowed to play outside until dinner are seemingly gone.

Set up a non-screen filled summer for your family this year. These are some fan favorite ways to stay outside.

Slip n Slide

The best way to cool down at home while giving your kids a much-needed technology detox

= homemade slip and slide. With a few affordable supplies, your kids will be set for an afternoon (or days) of fun – just be sure the dish soap is eco-friendly.

Grab some heavy sheet plastic, a big bottle of (eco-friendly!) dish soap, and add water. Invite the neighborhood kids over and add pool floats for extra fun!

Skip the movies

While your kids are probably dying to see Incredibles 2 in theaters, it might be best to skip the cinema this summer. We all know a family trip to the movies is not easy on the wallet- some states have average ticket prices of over $13- yikes! With movie ticket prices on the rise, theater attendance has been hitting an all-time low. My advice? Skip the theater this summer!

Keep an Agenda

One of the easiest ways to monitor your child’s screen time usage is to keep a daily schedule. By providing a structured day, with an hour and a half for TV and screen time in the evening, kids will be able to make the most of their summer break while avoiding tech overload.

Take a trip to your local library

Your local library is a gem for summer activities. Sign your kids up for a free library card and take weekly trips to check out books that they want to read. It’s a great way to keep their minds active over vacation, all while keeping them away from the Xbox.

Hit the pool

Cooling off from the 90-degree weather at your local neighborhood, park or public pool is a

staple summer activity. Swimming is a total body workout and will leave your kids tuckered out by the time they are finished with their friends. Make sure not to forget the sunscreen!

Still looking for more ideas on how to preoccupy your family this summer? With less allure to screens, families are always looking for alternatives on their rainy days off. This article has 21 DIY’s that will keep you (and your family) occupied while the pool is closed. My Kids Time is a perfect parenting site that features tons of activities to keep your kids away from the screen, and not break the bank.

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