Creating screen-free family traditions that actually stick around

Some ways you can start building family traditions that result in screen-free kids are to start with something simple so your family can adapt slowly. Create a weekly ritual of some sort, and choose activities that encourage conversation. Getting outdoors is also always a good idea.

Families are spending more time on their smart devices than ever. According to Demand Sage, 41% of teenagers  spend over 8 hours on screens each day, and Americans, on average, spend 7 hours and 2 minutes on screens. Of course, all of this connectivity has a few benefits, but it can also lead to issues.

If you find that you aren’t spending any time together as a family because you are always on screens, even when at the dinner table, it might be time to set up some family traditions that result in screen-free time. It might be a little bit challenging at first, but soon, family time will become a fun time for your screen-free kids.

Start With Something Simple

Most people want to jump into a very elaborate family tradition, but it doesn’t have to be like that. You can choose something simple to begin with, especially since it’s going to be a steep learning curve for your children who have never really had much screen-free time.

You can choose something like:

A weekly pancake breakfast

Friday evening walk

Sunday dinner

Monthly game night

It’s not too different from what you are doing already, but all that’s changed is that these activities are absolutely screen-free. That is, the entire family needs to put their phones away for this family tradition.

For example, if everyone likes to read on their Kindle, you can go to the library and grab some books to read. Or you can get some personalized books for the family to read together. These reading traditions are great because they build your children’s ability to read long-form content, which is a skill that’s sorely lacking nowadays.

Give Everyone a Role

If you have teenagers who tend to get bored easily, then it might be a good idea to give them a role to perform, so they aren’t itching to get back to their smartphones. Children, in general, are more enthusiastic about family traditions if they have something to participate in and feel involved in the activity in some way.

Let different family members choose the:

Meal

Activity

Music

Route for a walk

Game

Younger children might help set the table, while older children can take responsibility for planning part of the evening. You can even ask them for suggestions on what family traditions they would like to be part of next.

Create a Weekly Ritual

Family traditions need to have some kind of regularity to them to really feel like they are becoming a tradition. A weekly schedule is best, since it keeps everyone coming together for a meal or activity at least once a week.

Everyone gets busy. That’s what modern life is like. However, it’s important to bring the family together at least once a week so that you can catch up and build a relationship.

Choose a particular day of the week and time that the entire family goes screen-free and comes together to play a board game, to read a book, or to play a sport. It’s the only way that you are going to build this as a habit for the family.

Choose Activities That Encourage Conversation

It’s great for the family to come together and read, but sometimes, it’s better to choose activities where you can encourage conversation. Bonding activities are better for the family overall, since they encourage the family to get closer through these family traditions .

Board games are a great one for this, since they encourage teamwork, conversation, and laughter. Cooking together, taking a walk, gardening, working on a puzzle, or eating dinner around the table allows family members to talk without competing with notifications or entertainment.

Take Family Traditions Outdoors

Most Americans aren’t spending enough time outdoors. 90% of our time is spent indoors, either in a car, in a house, in a mall, or in an office, according to the EPA.

It’s time for us to start coming together as a family and going outdoors to stretch, grow, play, and exercise. This tradition is quite common in countries like Japan, Korea, and China, and is a great addition to the American way of doing things as well.

Create a Family Meal Tradition

Coming together to eat a meal is a great way to build stronger relationships within the family. It’s such an easy thing to do, and you probably do eat together already, but the point is to put the phones and devices away and to converse with each other during this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can Families Make Special Occasions Less Digital?

If you have noticed that your Christmases and Thanksgiving dinners are inundated by screens, then it might be time to put your food down and disallow screens at the dinner table during these special occasions.

Don’t want to miss out on taking photographs? Consider using an Instapix camera or a digital camera instead of a phone.

Is It a Good Idea to Make Screen-Free Time a Punishment?

It’s never a good idea to use screen-free time as a punishment, since it can result in resistance from children and arguments galore. Instead, focus on creating experiences that are enjoyable enough to compete with digital entertainment naturally.

As the children have fun with screen-free time, they will learn to love these family traditions and become enamored with them.

Make Family Time Screen-Free Time

Most of us are spending enough time on our screens at work, play, and school. It’s time to make at least some family time screen-free time. Use our tips on building family traditions above, and you should be well on your way to having screen-free kids, at least part of the time.

It’s not going to be easy to set things up, but once you are on the way, your family is going to love this bonding time together.

Please check out related articles on our website.