Six Ways to Reduce Screen Time This Summer

There’s broad consensus about the adverse effects of screen time on our kids. The Surgeon General recently announced a push for a warning label on social media sites that says platforms can harm the mental health of young people. Tweens and teens spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Think of summer as a time to reset, put the screens down, and head outside.

Here are some of our favorite Earthy ways to hit the pause button on screen time. Try creating a list of mandatory play assignments to get your kids off the couch and into the great outdoors.

1 - Take a Walk or a Hike Outside

There’s so much to see and do on a walk or a hike. A nature walk is a wonderful way to observe plant life, animal behavior, and weather patterns. Use a few of the cards from the Earth Matters game to inspire an activity. “Tell Us About” cards, in particular, are full of inspiration. For example, ask kids to name five trees or flowers while outside. Encourage your ears to pick up different bird calls. Start a fun conversation about animals. Imagine you are a different animal for an hour. What would you be and why? Start with your local parks and recreation department to find hikes and walks in your area. 

2 - Climate Change Workshops and Camps

Local workshops and summer camps with a focus on climate science education for kids can be a lot of fun. Look for hands-on activities and field trips about climate science, the natural world, and conservation. Or use your imagination and create your own climate workshop with Earthy arts and crafts projects using an environmental theme. It’s also a crafty way to put your recyclables to creative use. 

3 - Environmental Volunteer Work

Many communities offer volunteer opportunities like beach cleanups, tree planting events, community recycling initiatives, and garden planting projects. Hands-on experiences allow kids to contribute directly to environmental conservation efforts and learn about the impacts of pollution, waste, and climate change on our beautiful and stressed planet. Understanding the facts and doing something positive like volunteering can help ground kids and reduce uncertainty.  

4 - Read a good book

Add a few climate change books to your children’s summer reading list. Having a deeper knowledge can help reduce stress and feeling overwhelmed. There are excellent books available for kids of all ages about climate change. See what your local library has to offer. 

5 -  Start a home or community garden 

Kids love getting dirty. Give them permission to play in the dirt and plant a garden at the same time. Explore the benefits of a garden, from choosing native plants, and supporting natural pollinators to plants you can grow, harvest, and eat. Along the way, kids can learn about sustainability, composting, and water conservation.

6 - Play Earth Matters with friends and family

Invite new players to the climate change table and play Earth Matters. It’s so easy to set up and plays in 45 minutes.