If it feels like your whole household is glued to a screen these days, you’re definitely not alone. From toddlers with tablets to teens buried in phones — even adults constantly refreshing emails — screen time has crept into nearly every part of family life. The challenge, of course, is cutting back without turning it into a constant argument. The good news? It is possible to reconnect without a meltdown. Sometimes all it takes is offering something genuinely fun — like a weekend trip to a trampoline park Melbourne families already love for its energy-burning, laugh-out-loud activities.
Here’s how to make screen-free time feel less like a punishment and more like an upgrade.
Don’t Start With Rules — Start With a Reason
Instead of laying down a list of strict screen-time limits, begin by asking why you’d like to scale back. Is it because your child is staying up too late? Because family meals are now eaten in silence while scrolling? Because everyone’s constantly “on” but rarely connecting?
Share those concerns with your kids. Explain what you’re hoping to gain — more time together, better sleep, fewer arguments, less stress — and invite them to be part of the solution. Framing it this way shifts the tone from “enforcer vs. rulebreaker” to a team working toward something better.
Replace, Don’t Just Remove
Telling a kid to “put the iPad down” without offering an alternative is a recipe for eye rolls and tantrums. Instead, create a list of fun screen-free activities tailored to their interests. Make it a group effort — let everyone suggest a few ideas.
Some crowd-pleasers include:
- Building something together (blanket forts, Lego sets, birdhouses)
- Cooking or baking as a family
- Board game or puzzle night
- Riding bikes or exploring a new walking trail
- Organising a themed backyard picnic or obstacle course
Bonus points if you rotate through the list during the week — novelty helps keep it exciting.
See also: The Pain You Ignore Every Day Could Be Telling You Something Bigger
Make Movement the Default
One of the best ways to get off screens is to get moving. Physical activities give kids (and adults) the mental reset they need — especially after hours spent staring at a screen.
Look for high-energy outings that feel like a treat, not a chore. Jump parks, indoor rock climbing, swimming, or even trampolining are all solid picks. Activities like this let kids burn off energy while having genuine fun, making the transition from screen to real-world play a lot smoother.
Set Boundaries Together
Instead of announcing screen-time limits unilaterally, ask your family what they think is reasonable. You might be surprised how open kids are to structure — especially if it’s fair and clearly explained.
A few sample agreements that work well:
- No devices during meals or in bedrooms
- A set amount of daily “fun screen” time
- Screen-free weekends or evenings
- Earning screen time through chores or creative tasks
Write it all down as a family agreement. That way, it’s not just your rule — it’s everyone’s.
Lead by Example (Even When It’s Hard)
If you’re asking your kids to put their screens down while you scroll through your phone at dinner, they’ll spot the double standard right away. Modelling the behaviour you want to see is powerful.
Set your own boundaries and stick to them. Try a “no phone after 8pm” policy for everyone — and honour it. Keep screens out of the bedroom. Watch a movie with your kids rather than separate streaming on different devices. These small shifts show you’re all in this together.
Make Screen Time a Shared Experience
Not all screen time is bad — it’s about how it’s used. Watching a movie together, playing a collaborative video game, or even doing a yoga workout on YouTube can turn solo screen time into shared bonding.
Rather than eliminating screens entirely, aim for balance. Shared screen time can open up opportunities for laughter, learning, and even deeper conversations — far more rewarding than endless scrolling in separate rooms.
Build a Routine That Doesn’t Rely on Screens
When screens are the default filler for every spare moment, boredom sets in fast without them. But if you build a daily rhythm with engaging, offline activities, the craving fades.
Some screen-free rituals to try:
- Reading aloud before bed (even for older kids!)
- Weekend morning walks or farmers market runs
- Afternoon music and snack breaks
- A family challenge jar (drawing random activities like “draw a family comic” or “cook something blue”)
Routines bring comfort — and they’re easier to stick to than one-off changes.
The Real Win: More Connection, Less Conflict
The goal isn’t to cut out screens entirely — it’s to make sure they’re not crowding out everything else. When you give your family more chances to laugh, move, talk, and play together, the screens naturally take a backseat. It won’t be perfect every day, and that’s okay. What matters is making a consistent effort — not for control, but for connection. And when you make it fun, not forced, you may be surprised how little resistance you get.
