Insta Mum shares easy hacks to cut kids screentime
Insta Mum shares easy hacks to cut kids screentime – and says parents need to “give themselves a break” this summer
With rising concerns about kids screentime, a mum of 2 has shared easy tips to get kids off their phones this summer
“We can’t escape technology in modern life, but we can create balance,” says Beth from Roche, Cornwall.
As the summer holidays draws to a close, a mumfluencer has shared tips for last minute activities parents can do to entertain the kids – and cut screentime ahead of the new school term.
Beth, known as @happycornishmama, uses her social accounts to share everyday joys and challenges of parenthood.
In partnership with the Eden Project’s Nature’s Playground and Summer of Play campaign, which is a programme of resources and activities designed to inspire children to play outside more, Beth has shared her tips on easy outdoor activities parents can do this summer – from nature-based scavenger hunts to apps that inspire outdoor exploration and classic Outdoor Games.
Studies find that school children typically spend around six hours a day glued to their screens – that's half of their waking hours, or the equivalent of three weeks of the six-week summer holiday.
Further research from Save The Children reveals that just one in four children regularly spend time playing outside, despite the numerous social, wellbeing and education benefits it brings.
Commenting on the findings, Beth said:
“There’s certainly a lot of pressure on parents during the summer holidays, as it can be challenging to keep the kids entertained while juggling work schedules and maintaining a sense of routine. Screentime is an easy way to entertain kids, whether it's watching a film or playing on a game, but it’s important that this is balanced with time away from screens.
“Especially when outdoor activities are limited due to weather, the availability and opening times of local facilities or budgets, technology can offer an accessible and cost-effective way to engage children in educational, fun activities.
“However, seeing the findings that children spend as much as half of their school holidays staring at screens is concerning and highlights the importance of encouraging a healthier balance between technology and other activities.
“We all use screens on a daily basis, and technology has become a vital part of modern life. So it’s not effective to simply tell parents to stop their children from looking at screens.
“Instead of focusing on removing screen time completely, it could be helpful to help kids optimise how they spend screentime and be more conscious of how they use technology in order to help create a healthy balance."
As the summer holidays come to a close and families prepare for the back-to-school rush, Beth has shared some quick tips to help families make the most of the last days of the school holidays and balance screentime.
1. Use apps to explore outdoor areas near you
“Screentime isn’t necessarily a bad thing and there are plenty of apps that actually help kids get outdoors and explore areas near them.
“By combining these two elements, you can create a healthy balance that benefits both sides. While parents won’t feel the pressure from having to cut kids’ screentime, children can enjoy outdoor activities in a modern, interactive way.
“Candide is a brilliant app that helps kids to identify plants when they’re out and about and learn more about the entire ecosystem. The app has also partnered with popular attractions like the Eden Project, so you can use it to make the most of days out.
“Apart from guiding you through the garden and offering a free audio tour, the app is a great getaway to the gardeners’ community, allowing you to ask questions and share knowledge.
“Kids are natural explorers, and there’s nothing wrong with using digital technology to improve their learning abilities and spark their interest.”
2. Rediscover old Outdoor Games
“Kids are so infatuated with technology and online games, but there’s so many outdoor games that parents used to play as kids that can be fun to reminisce over and play together.
“There are so many outdoor games we used to play, and it’s a shame that kids don’t know them anymore.
“When we were kids, we used to play loads of chasing-based games like stuck in the mud or Bulldog, and younger children might enjoy more timeless games like Hopscotch, Rope jumping or Simon Says. Kids love hearing about the things you used to do as a child – especially when they realise that there were no mobile phones or iPads! - and it’s fun to play group games outside as a family.
“The majority of these outdoor games only require minimal equipment and can be played almost anywhere – in a park, backyard or even on a sidewalk.
“Outdoor games like this help improve mental and physical health – something that apps and screentime can often impact.”
3. Eat outside
“Mealtimes can be a good opportunity to steer clear of screens and focus on eating together and enjoying food – especially when you eat outside.
“Kids love the novelty of eating outdoors, especially during the school holidays, as it’s so different to their usual mealtime routine.
“Picnics are great for this, as they allow children to pick and choose the things they’d like to eat, which encourages them to explore different food. But picnics don’t just have to be at your local park – even setting up a picnic in your garden makes mealtime feel more special.
4. Try a scavenger hunt
“It’s difficult to prize kids away from screens when they’re such a big part of everyday life. But phones and technology can go hand-in-hand with outdoor-based activities.
"A scavenger hunt is a great example of an outdoor educational activity that can be enhanced with a digital twist.
“Kids can share ideas on what they want to find in their local park, and then use the camera on their parent’s phone to take pictures of all the things they find. It’s a fun way to explore your local park, or green space, whilst using your phone to capture your findings. Plus, you can get your photos printed at your local supermarket to make a scrap book with later.”
5. Use tech to explore nature at home
“It’s incredible what technology can do. Thanks to all the devices and apps available these days, we can explore nature, see different species living outdoors, or visit foreign countries from the comfort of our own homes.
“Plus, introducing kids to digital activities with educational value helps to encourage children to use screentime as a way to find out information and explore the world outside their home.
“For example, the Eden Project’s Invisible Rainforest experience is perfect for highlighting how technology and outdoor adventures can go hand in hand.
“By using virtual reality technology, children are allowed to step inside the rainforest and discover all the fascinating species living there. It’s a really fun interactive tool that helps children understand the invisible relationships that organisms have that creates the web of life that exists in the natural world.”
6. Find a day out near you
“Sadly, the summer holiday is nearly over, and families have just a few days left to squeeze in any activities and outdoor adventures they want to do.
“A family visit to Eden Project is a great choice when planning a day out, as the facilities can entertain children of all ages, as well as captivate adults who like being outdoors.
“We visited the attraction’s new Nature’s Playground, which is one of the largest outdoor play areas in the South West and features tonnes of opportunities for water play activities as well as a 9-meter tall Tree of Life for children to explore. The space is designed to help children get away from screens and reconnect with both each other and nature through outdoor play.
“There’s so many different interactive and sensory play opportunities set up at the playground, that kids quickly forget about phones and technology. And there’s a chilled area for parents to hang out too, so they can enjoy a break as well.”
Access to Nature’s Playground and Summer of Play activities are included in all Eden Project tickets.
To book tickets and find out more, visit www.edenproject.com
Follow Beth on Instagram @happycornishmama
