How to Create a Healthy Balance Between Video Games and Audiobooks for Kids Aged 7 to 10

Why Finding Balance Is So Hard — and So Important

You're not alone if you're feeling torn: you don’t want to completely ban video games — your child loves them, and they can even have some benefits. But you’re also concerned. Maybe your 8-year-old seems totally absorbed by the screen, melting down when it’s time to stop. Or perhaps you notice their attention span waning, sleep getting disrupted, or homework becoming a daily power struggle. Sound familiar?

Striking a balance between video games and other enriching activities (like audiobooks) isn’t about becoming the “perfect parent.” It’s about small, sustainable changes that widen your child’s world, without making video games the enemy. And yes — it’s possible to introduce new habits that don’t feel like punishment.

Start With Curiosity, Not Control

The first step to balance isn’t about cutting screen time — it’s about connection. Sit down and ask open-ended questions: “What do you love most about this game?” or “What’s your favorite moment in the game today?” Showing genuine interest gives you a doorway into your child’s screen world, and invites trust rather than backlash. That trust matters immensely when you introduce alternatives.

From there, reflect on what video games are giving your child. Is it a sense of progress? Adventure? Social connection? Understanding that can guide you to alternative activities that provide a similar emotional payoff — and audiobooks are surprisingly well-suited for that.

Why Audiobooks Can Be the Perfect Counterbalance

If your child’s brain lights up with color, noise, and action from games, it might seem unrealistic to expect them to enjoy a quiet audiobook. But there’s something powerful about stories that speak to the imagination instead of the screen. Especially when they’re engaging, serialized, and age-appropriate.

Think hero journeys, mysteries, and funny characters brought to life through expressive narration. Audio stories still offer the adventure and escapism kids crave, but they develop listening skills, reduce overstimulation, and are inherently screen-free. For some children with learning difficulties or stress around reading, audiobooks can be a particularly empowering bridge to literacy.

One gentle way to introduce this balance is by playing an audiobook during downtime — after school while having a snack, or before bed instead of a video. Apps like iOS and Android's LISN Kids App offer a wide range of original, high-quality audio stories for children aged 3–12. These aren’t dry educational lectures — they’re immersive, character-driven stories that kids gravitate toward naturally.

Create Rituals, Not Rules

Children respond better to habits than restrictions. Rather than telling your 9-year-old, “You only get 30 minutes of video games,” try establishing inviting routines that naturally include both audio and digital storytelling. For example:

• “Let’s do an audiobook while we draw after dinner, then you can play for 20 minutes.”
• “Every car ride over 10 minutes is audiobook time — you pick the story.”
• “Let’s light the salt lamp and listen to an audio chapter before sleep instead of YouTube.”

These gentle anchors make space for calmer activities without triggering defensiveness or power struggles. Over time, many children begin to seek them out simply because they feel good.

Respect the Appeal of Games — But Introduce Choice

Let’s be clear: most 7- to 10-year-olds aren’t going to suddenly say, “I prefer audiobooks now.” Video games are designed to be addictive. But introducing appealing audio stories as another form of fun empowers kids to make choices that support their wellbeing.

It can be especially helpful for children who are overstimulated and irritable after long gaming sessions. As we mention in this article about calm alternatives to video games, screens often leave children in a highly reactive state. Switching gears to audio helps regulate their sensory input and ease transitions.

You might also explore educational video games if cutting back isn’t immediately realistic. It’s not an all-or-nothing approach. Balance means gradually layering in better choices — not ripping out the old ones overnight.

Support, Don’t Shame

If your child resists, that doesn't mean you're failing — it means you're rerouting a deeply rewarding habit. Remind them (and yourself), “We’re not banning games — we’re adding more fun ways to relax.” The tone you set matters more than your rules.

If your child’s gaming habits are causing friction at home or in school, this guide for parents of kids obsessed with gaming can help you make sense of the behavior, and take small steps forward without power struggles.

And don’t underestimate the power of bedtime. Replacing the usual night scrolling or gaming with a soothing audiobook can positively influence both sleep quality and brain development. Our article on preventing games from disrupting sleep might be helpful if that’s a concern in your home.

Small Changes Create Big Shifts

You don’t need to overhaul your family’s screen habits overnight. Introducing audio storytelling as a consistent, enjoyable part of daily life is already a huge step toward balance. Start where you are. Make one switch this week. And know that progress, not perfection, is the goal.

When children discover the joy of listening — of imagining instead of just watching — they begin to seek it out themselves. It can be a moment of real peace in an otherwise overstimulated world. And for you? It might just bring a little breathing room, too.