I don’t know about you, but as a busy wife, mom, and homemaker, it can be easy to fall into a cycle of using devices to keep your kids busy. Sometimes, some guilt may come with that, you know, “mom guilt”-especially if it happens more often than you’d like to admit. 

So today, let’s address it. You’re going to walk away with ideas and tips to help you reduce your children’s screen time while keeping them occupied, and still having a window of opportunity to do what you need.

1. Set Clear Expectations

If your child has been enjoying screen time, you’ll need to create a new routine. This is not a problem because children are flexible and resilient. However, when you make a change, commit to consistency because they benefit from the security of routines and predictability. 

Establish what times screens will be allowed, if any. At my house, we did a bit of a TV fast for my 4-year-old. In which case, we eliminated TV and YouTube shows for almost 2 weeks to give her a beneficial break.

Make it clear to your child when screens are allowed. At your house, it may be 20 minutes of TV only after your child eats dinner. Tailor it to meet the needs of your family.

It’s recommended that children under 18 months don’t get any screen time unless they’re video chatting with family or friends. For children between the ages of 2-5 years old, it’s recommended that they don’t receive more than one hour per day, ensuring that it’s high-quality shows. I’d even go as far as to say, make sure it’s a high-quality biblically based or educational show. The things I choose are either teaching biblical principles or teaching academic content. I avoid shows that are created only for entertainment.

To make this possible, consider having areas in your home where no devices are allowed. In my home, bedrooms don’t have televisions or tablets. So, there are none in my and my husband’s room nor in our children’s rooms. The living room is another place without a television, so when I’m spending time with the kids during the day, we do so in the living room so the television in the family room is “out of sight, out of mind”. 

Also, consider shutting down all screens at least an hour before bedtime to improve your family’s sleep.

2. Provide Enjoyable Alternatives

After you’ve established clear expectations, the next step is to provide engaging alternatives. The easiest is outdoor play. Take the kids out to play in the backyard. Initially, you may need to facilitate depending on the age of your children. Use this time to teach your children things they can do outside. Offer age-appropriate activities like playing tag, hide-and-seek, climbing trees, digging in dirt, drawing with chalk, looking for bugs, observing plants, tossing a ball, etc. 

Over time, your children will adapt and learn how to be creative and entertain themselves outside. As you make this as much of a daily routine as possible, you can build up their stamina outside as well. Initially, 15 minutes may be all they can handle before getting bored, but in time, with practice, you will find that they can stay out for hours at a time. 

I noticed this with my child. The more we go out to play, the more engaged she is and the longer she likes to stay outside, and the more creative she can be. I also remember this as a child. My sister and I would stay outside for hours, playing with neighbors’ kids, riding bikes, making mud, playing tag, etc. 

Indoor Activities

I understand that there will be many times when the weather does not permit you to go outside. In this case, encourage creative play. Provide opportunities for imaginative play, offering toys like blocks, Legos, dolls, and action figures. Keep these toys in a toy box that your children can access and select from. 

Our children have come to enjoy playing with Picasso Tiles and Little People. These are like action figures, but they are literally little people. I will provide links for these things so you can see what I’m talking about. I’ve noticed that having these toys and not offering devices really sparks the creativity of my children. Granted, our son loves knocking the Picasso Tile houses down, but the kids enjoy this and can do it for long periods of time.

You can also have good books to read, puzzles, musical instruments, and art supplies available and ready to pull out as needed. This will help your child discover new skills and interests like drawing, creating, reading, painting, or playing musical instruments.

It’s good to have a variety of things on hand and change the activities and supplies that are available to prevent boredom. Remember, initially, you may need to facilitate and show them how to use these things and be creative, and in time, they will learn to do it and play independently.

3. Be Consistent and Intentional About Screen Time

Once you’ve got a routine and a selection of activities, commit to being consistent. If you told your child there will be no screen time for a while, commit to your decision. This will help them to understand that they can trust you and you mean what you say.

Now, they will ask for it, and it is up to you to remind them of your expectations. When my daughter asked if she could watch TV, I reminded her we aren’t watching TV for a while, but I have another activity she can do. In just a matter of days, she got used to playing and having other activities. She stopped asking to watch TV because the activities became her new routine.

When you’re ready to reintroduce screen time, be intentional. Be clear about what will be allowed and what will not be allowed. This is a great time to ditch shows and games that don’t support your family values. 

When possible, sit down and watch the shows together and have a conversation about what you’re watching. This will make it more interactive and meaningful. Maintain boundaries so that the amount of time in front of devices doesn't get out of control.

You can use these practices as a lifestyle or simply as a screen time detox fast when you see your child needs it. 

4. Recognize When It’s Time to Detox

Young children can get addicted to devices as it has such an impact on their brains. If you notice your child exhibiting any of the following behaviors, it may be time to consider a screen time detox fast:

• Increased irritability, frustration, or regular tantrums
• Unable to stop using screens, he/she can’t turn them off even when you say it’s time to turn them off, or they keep asking to watch more
• No desire to play, socialize, do other activities, and/or has a hard time playing independently or being creative
• Exhibits eye strain, behavior changes, sleep changes, and is not very physically active

Taking a break from screens will help your child with proper healthy development. 

5. Don’t Be a Hypocrite

If you’re always watching TV or on your devices, you may have a challenge getting your child to do a screen time detox fast. Your child learns by your example, so be mindful of your own screen time usage, especially when you’re spending time with your family. If necessary, consider doing a screen time detox fast as a family.

I also recommend designating protected times that your family will spend together without devices. These designated times are wonderful opportunities for quality time, which will enrich your relationships. Determine what activities, days, or times that you will spend quality time, and no one (not even adults) will have devices. 

For our family, it's dinner time daily. That is our protected time when no one is occupied by devices because we are sitting together, enjoying a meal, and engaging in conversation with one another.

Wrapping Up: How to Reduce Screen Time for Toddlers and Preschoolers

The early years of our children’s lives are crucial, especially between the ages of 1 and 3. Make these early years count because the foundation that you build now will shape their future.

Set clear expectations, provide alternatives to screen time, be consistent and intentional, recognize when it’s time to detox, and don’t be a screen time hypocrite.

 If you need to, start small. Commit to one hour. One hour of quality interaction, imaginative play, or opportunities to be creative. Start today and watch your child transform beautifully before your eyes.