How to Reduce Screen Time for Kids During School Holidays – H&S Education & Parenting

The school holidays are finally here! For children, this means more time to relax, play and enjoy their freedom from school routines. However, for many parents, the holidays can also bring a familiar challenge: children spending hours on smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and television.

If you are wondering how to reduce screen time for kids without turning every day into an argument, you are certainly not alone. Digital devices have become part of modern childhood, offering entertainment, educational resources and opportunities to connect with friends and family. The challenge is making sure that screens do not take over activities that are equally important for a child’s development.

Rather than banning technology altogether, parents can establish healthier digital habits, introduce enjoyable alternatives and create a holiday routine that balances screen use with physical activity, creativity, family interaction and rest.

Here are 10 practical ways to reduce screen time for kids during the school holidays while making the break enjoyable, meaningful and productive.

1. Create a Realistic Screen-Time Schedule

One of the easiest ways to manage screen use is to establish a clear and consistent daily routine. When children know when they can use their devices, they are less likely to negotiate for additional screen time throughout the day.

Instead of allowing unlimited access to phones, tablets or television, agree on specific periods for recreational screen use. For example, you could allow a planned gaming session or a favourite programme after outdoor play, reading or other activities have been completed.

The schedule should be appropriate for your child’s age, needs and circumstances. Educational screen use, schoolwork and video calls may need to be considered separately from recreational entertainment.

Most importantly, explain the rules before introducing them. Children are more likely to understand boundaries when they know what is expected and why the family has agreed to them.

2. Replace Screen Time with Exciting Offline Activities

Simply taking a device away may leave a child bored, frustrated or unsure about what to do next. A more effective approach is to provide enjoyable alternatives that make spending time away from screens something to look forward to.

You do not need expensive toys, electronic equipment or elaborate outings to keep children entertained. Many activities can be organised using everyday household items.

Try introducing some of these ideas:

• Arts and crafts: Encourage drawing, painting, colouring, paper crafts, origami and simple DIY projects.
• Building challenges: Use building blocks, cardboard boxes or recycled materials to create towers, bridges and imaginative structures.
• Reading time: Let children choose storybooks, comics, magazines or age-appropriate non-fiction books.
• Indoor treasure hunts: Prepare clues and hide small objects around the home for children to discover.
• Board games and puzzles: Introduce activities that encourage concentration, patience, problem-solving and family interaction.
• Gardening: Give children a small space to grow herbs, flowers or vegetables and teach them how to care for plants.
• Creative storytelling: Ask children to invent their own stories, create characters or put on a little family performance.

The key is variety. When children have interesting activities to choose from, they are less likely to rely on digital entertainment whenever they feel bored.

3. Encourage Outdoor Play and Physical Activity

Children need opportunities to move, explore and enjoy the outdoors. School holidays provide an excellent opportunity to introduce more physical activity into their daily routine.

Depending on their age, abilities and available facilities, children can enjoy cycling, swimming, football, skipping, dancing, walking, running and playing traditional outdoor games.

Families in Kenya can also make use of safe playgrounds, parks, gardens, sports facilities and suitable outdoor spaces within their neighbourhoods.

Physical activity does not always need to be organised or competitive. Even a simple game of catch, a family walk or an afternoon spent playing in the garden can help children become more active.

The World Health Organization recommends that children and adolescents aged 5–17 years accumulate an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day across the week. Encouraging active play is one practical way to work towards this recommendation.

Remember to consider weather conditions, hydration, sun protection and appropriate adult supervision when planning outdoor activities.

4. Establish Screen-Free Times at Home

One useful way to reduce screen time for kids is to introduce specific periods when everyone in the household puts away their devices.

Rather than making this rule apply only to children, encourage the entire family to participate. Children are more likely to accept screen-free boundaries when parents and caregivers follow the same expectations.

Consider introducing the following family rules:

• Screen-free meals: Keep phones, tablets and television away during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Screen-free mornings: Encourage children to begin the day with breakfast, personal hygiene, reading or physical activity before accessing entertainment devices.
• Screen-free family time: Set aside time for conversations, games, hobbies and shared activities.
• Screen-free bedrooms: Where practical, keep recreational devices out of children’s bedrooms, particularly at night.
• Screen-free bedtime routines: Encourage quiet activities such as reading, storytelling or preparing for the following day instead of using devices immediately before sleep.

These simple boundaries can help children understand that digital devices are only one part of everyday life, rather than something that needs to be available all the time.

5. Introduce a Holiday Activity Planner

A little planning can make a significant difference during the school holidays. Children often turn to screens when they cannot think of anything else to do, particularly when parents are working or attending to other responsibilities.

Create a simple weekly holiday activity planner that includes a mixture of enjoyable and useful activities. It does not need to resemble a school timetable or fill every hour of the day.

For example, a weekly plan could include:

• Monday: Arts and crafts, outdoor games and reading.
• Tuesday: Baking, simple cooking activities and family games.
• Wednesday: Gardening, nature exploration and creative writing.
• Thursday: Sports, cycling or a family walk.
• Friday: Puzzles, building challenges and a family activity.
• Saturday: A planned family outing, visit to relatives or recreational activity.
• Sunday: A relaxed day with hobbies, reading and preparation for the coming week.

Allow children to contribute ideas and choose some of the activities. Giving them a say in the schedule can make them more enthusiastic about participating.

Also leave room for free play and relaxation. Children do not need to be occupied with structured activities every minute of the day.

6. Encourage Children to Develop New Hobbies

The holidays are an excellent time for children to discover interests that they may not have enough time to explore during the school term.

A new hobby can provide a rewarding alternative to spending long periods on digital devices while helping children develop patience, creativity and confidence.

Depending on their interests and ages, encourage them to try:

• Art and drawing: Sketching, painting, calligraphy and other creative projects.
• Music: Learning a musical instrument, practising rhythm or exploring singing.
• Photography: Learning basic photography skills using a camera or a supervised device.
• Cooking and baking: Preparing simple recipes with an adult and learning about ingredients and food preparation.
• Reading and writing: Keeping a holiday journal, writing short stories or exploring new subjects.
• Sports and fitness: Trying swimming, martial arts, football, tennis or another suitable activity.
• Practical skills: Learning sewing, basic gardening, simple repairs or age-appropriate DIY projects.

Do not pressure children to become experts at everything they try. The objective is to let them explore their interests, discover what they enjoy and experience the satisfaction of learning something new.

7. Make Screen Time More Meaningful and Purposeful

Reducing screen time does not mean that children must avoid technology altogether. Digital devices can provide valuable educational and creative opportunities when used appropriately.

The important distinction is between passive, prolonged entertainment and purposeful screen use.

For example, children could use digital resources to:

• Explore age-appropriate educational programmes and documentaries.
• Practise mathematics, spelling and other learning activities.
• Learn a new language.
• Explore science, geography, history and nature.
• Follow supervised drawing, music or craft tutorials.
• Develop age-appropriate coding and problem-solving skills.
• Connect with relatives through supervised video calls.

Where possible, parents should take an interest in what children are watching, playing or learning online. Watching educational content together and discussing it can make digital experiences more interactive and meaningful.

It is also important to ensure that children use age-appropriate platforms and that online activities are supervised according to their maturity and individual needs.

8. Be a Positive Digital Role Model

Children learn a great deal by observing the adults around them. If parents regularly check their phones during conversations, meals or family activities, children may naturally begin to view constant device use as normal.

One of the most effective ways to encourage healthier digital habits is to demonstrate them yourself.

Try putting your phone away when spending time with your children, avoiding unnecessary scrolling during family meals and showing an interest in activities that do not involve screens.

You could also introduce shared family challenges, such as spending an afternoon without recreational devices or having a screen-free evening together.

The objective is not to make technology the enemy. It is to show children that meaningful conversations, relationships, hobbies and everyday experiences deserve attention too.

9. Talk to Children About Online Safety

As children become more independent online, reducing screen time should go hand in hand with teaching them how to use technology responsibly.

Children may encounter inappropriate content, online scams, cyberbullying, strangers pretending to be friends or requests for personal information. Parents should explain these risks in an age-appropriate way without unnecessarily frightening them.

Discuss important online safety habits, including:

• Never sharing home addresses, school details, passwords or private family information with strangers online.
• Understanding that people online may not always be who they claim to be.
• Not clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown files.
• Knowing how to block and report inappropriate behaviour.
• Speaking to a trusted adult if someone makes them uncomfortable or asks them to keep an inappropriate secret.
• Asking permission before downloading applications, joining platforms or making online purchases.
• Keeping passwords private and using appropriate privacy settings.

Maintain an open and supportive relationship so children feel comfortable discussing anything worrying they encounter online. Avoid creating an environment where they are afraid to ask for help because they might immediately lose access to their devices.

10. Make the Transition Gradual and Reward Positive Habits

If your child is accustomed to spending several hours a day on recreational screens, suddenly removing all access may lead to frustration, arguments and resistance.

A gradual approach is often easier to maintain. Start by identifying which screen activities are taking up the most time and introduce realistic changes. Replace some recreational screen sessions with enjoyable alternatives and gradually establish a more balanced routine.

Recognise and encourage positive efforts. If your child chooses to read, play outdoors, complete a puzzle or help with a household activity instead of immediately reaching for a device, acknowledge the effort.

You can also involve older children in reviewing their own habits. Ask them how they feel after spending long periods online and whether they would like to make changes to their routine.

Avoid using food, gifts or additional screen time as the only rewards for good behaviour. Instead, encourage children to appreciate the enjoyment and satisfaction that come from trying different activities and spending quality time with others.

How Much Screen Time Is Appropriate for Children?

Parents often ask how many hours of screen time children should have each day. There is no single limit that is suitable for every child, particularly as recommendations differ according to age and the type of screen use.

The World Health Organization provides specific sedentary screen-time recommendations for children under five:

• Children under one year: Sedentary screen time is not recommended.
• Children aged one year: Sedentary screen time is not recommended.
• Children aged two years: No more than one hour per day, with less being better.
• Children aged three to four years: No more than one hour per day, with less being better.

For children and adolescents aged 5–17, WHO guidance recommends limiting sedentary behaviour, particularly recreational screen time. It does not prescribe one universal daily recreational screen-time limit for this entire age group.

Parents should therefore consider their child’s age, sleep, physical activity, schoolwork, social interaction and overall wellbeing when establishing family rules.

Educational activities and supervised video calls may serve different purposes from recreational scrolling, gaming or watching entertainment for extended periods. The aim is to establish a healthy balance rather than focus on a number without considering what the child is doing.

A Sample Screen-Free Holiday Routine for Children

If you are unsure where to begin, the following example offers a flexible daily routine that families can adapt to their children’s ages and circumstances.

Time	Suggested activity
7:30 am	Wake up, personal hygiene and breakfast
8:30 am	Reading, puzzles or a creative activity
10:00 am	Outdoor play, sports or physical activity
11:30 am	Creative hobbies or helping with simple household tasks
1:00 pm	Lunch and family time
2:00 pm	Rest, quiet time or recreational screen use within agreed limits
3:30 pm	Board games, crafts or another offline activity
5:00 pm	Outdoor play or a family activity
7:00 pm	Dinner and family conversations
8:00 pm	Reading, relaxation and bedtime preparation

These times are illustrative rather than a prescribed routine. Younger children, teenagers and children with different sleep or educational needs will require adjustments. The objective is to create a predictable rhythm that leaves room for rest, free play and family time.

The Final Verdict: A Balanced Holiday Is a Happier Holiday

Learning how to reduce screen time for kids does not have to involve constant restrictions, arguments or completely removing technology from their lives. It is about helping children discover that there is a whole world of enjoyable experiences beyond their screens.

By introducing realistic boundaries, encouraging outdoor play, exploring new hobbies and spending quality time together, parents can help children develop healthier digital habits that continue long after the school holidays end.

Remember that every child is different. Some may happily exchange a tablet for a football, while others may prefer reading, drawing, building or discovering a new hobby. Give them opportunities to explore, involve them in planning and celebrate their progress along the way.

The best school holidays are not necessarily the busiest ones. They are the ones in which children have the freedom to play, learn, explore, connect and create memories that last well beyond the break.

References

• World Health Organization – To Grow Up Healthy, Children Need to Sit Less and Play More
• World Health Organization – Physical Activity
• UNICEF – 10 Tips to Reduce Your Child’s Screen Time
• World Health Organization – Engaging and Having Fun with Children Under Five
• World Health Organization – Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour for Children and Adolescents