How to Help Your Child Reduce Screen Time During School Holidays

Why school holidays bring a unique screen time challenge

The school year offers a rhythm, however imperfect, that structures children’s days—classes, homework, meals, bedtime. But when holidays arrive, especially long ones like summer or winter break, that rhythm falls away. Parents are often stretched thin between work, household responsibilities, and a sudden abundance of free time their children must fill. In those quiet morning hours or long afternoons, screens become default companions.

If your child already struggles with school-related stress, focus issues, or learning difficulties, the lure of screens over the holidays can become even more potent. As a parent, you want to offer your child rest and joy—but you may also worry that unrestricted screen time is doing more harm than good.

Start with small, honest conversations

Rather than announcing new limits out of the blue, begin with a conversation that invites your child’s perspective. Choose a calm moment—perhaps over breakfast or during a walk. Ask open questions like: “How do you feel when you’ve been on your tablet for a long time?” or “What do you wish you had more time for when you're not on screens?”

When children feel included in decision-making, they’re more likely to engage positively—especially if they understand why the change matters. You can explain screen time isn’t the enemy, but like candy, it’s best in moderation. Back this up with science if it helps: screens can over-stimulate, disrupt sleep, and make transitioning to other activities harder. This is particularly true for children who already experience attention-related challenges.

Design a holiday rhythm—together

Without the structure of school, even a loose daily plan can make a big difference. Sit down with your child and co-create a holiday routine. Be realistic—don’t aim to eliminate screens entirely. Instead, agree on when screens are okay (for example, a short session after lunch), and build other appealing activities around them.

Think about mixing in movement, creativity, downtime, and even chores—presented not as punishments, but as part of the day’s flow. For example:

• Morning: breakfast, a walk or quick bike ride, drawing or journaling
• Late morning: screen time window (30–60 minutes)
• Afternoon: story time, help with cooking, free play
• Evening: family dinner, board game or audio story, bedtime routine

This isn’t about rigid scheduling but rather about creating intentional spaces where screens aren’t the default activity. To make it stick, revisit the schedule every few days and adapt it as needed. Flexibility is key during holidays.

Help them discover engaging screen-free alternatives

A common stumbling block is that removing screens reveals… a void. Many kids aren't sure what to do instead. That’s where your creative scaffolding comes in. The goal isn’t to entertain your child every minute, but to provide a source of spark when they feel bored—a state that, paradoxically, often leads to the richest play.

Here are a few directions to explore:

• Audio storytelling: Kids love stories, and not all screens are visual. Try offering them audio-based experiences that spark their imagination while letting their eyes and brains rest. For example, the iOS or Android versions of the LISN Kids App offer a growing selection of original audiobooks and series for ages 3–12. These can make road trips quieter, afternoon rests more peaceful, or bedtime calmer.

• Hands-on projects: Build Lego towns, recreate a scene from a favorite book, or create a DIY science experiment. Keep a box of craft, junk, or recycled materials handy—sometimes the messiest resources yield the longest engagement.
• Reading together: If your child struggles with reading independently, holiday time is perfect for shared reading. You read a page, they read a sentence. No pressure, just connection.

Support transitions away from screens

The moment after screen time is often the hardest. Sudden cutoffs can trigger meltdowns and resistance, no matter how clear the rules. Learning how to support smoother transitions is a skill—for you and your child. In this guide to screen-to-non-screen transitions, you’ll find strategies like using countdowns, bridging with favorite music, or offering a cuddle and snack right after screen time ends.

You might also discover that certain times of day work better for screen use. For example, a child who becomes more emotionally dysregulated late in the day may benefit from having screen time scheduled after lunch instead of near bedtime—something explored in more detail in this article on best times for video games.

Be gentle with yourself and your child

Not every day will go smoothly. There will be pushback, moments of boredom, slips and stressful screen battles. That’s okay. The goal isn't perfection but progress. One more hour of outdoor play today, one fewer meltdown tomorrow. Over time, your child will learn that screens are part of their holiday—and your family's life—but not the center of it.

If you’re worried your child is developing a dysregulated relationship with screens or video games, especially with attention-related learning difficulties, you may want to read this article exploring those connections more deeply.

Holiday memories are built in unexpected corners: flashlight-lit storytelling in a blanket fort, giggles over a kitchen mess, picking daisies in the park. These moments can't be scheduled—but they also don’t happen when screens run the show. By preparing your child for a more mindful approach to screens this vacation, you’re planting seeds for more connection, more rest—and more childhood.