How to Prepare Your Kids for a Week Without Screens
Why Even Try a Screen-Free Week?
If you've ever stared at your child glued to a tablet and wondered what happened to their curiosity, their spark, their joy of play—you’re not alone. Screens, while sometimes useful or necessary, have undeniably become a massive presence in our children’s worlds. So, deciding to take a break—even just for a week—isn't an act of punishment, it's an opportunity. An invitation for your child to rediscover life beyond pixels.
But if the idea of a week with no screens fills you with dread, you’re in the right place. It's reasonable to feel exhausted by daily struggles over screen time. What's most important is that you're trying. You care. And there are ways to make this work—gently, realistically, and even joyfully.
Start with the Story: Why a Screen-Free Week Matters
Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are in a crucial stage of brain development. Numerous studies link screen overuse to issues like hyperactivity and emotional dysregulation. Excessive screen time has been connected to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and poor focus—which are challenges many parents of school-aged children already grapple with.
So when we talk about stepping away from screens, it's not about eliminating fun—it's about resetting. Creating space for calm, imagination, and connection to return. Even if the week isn’t perfect, the effort can inspire healthier ongoing habits.
Set the Stage: Involve Your Child in the Plan
A top reason screen-free initiatives fail is because kids—and often parents—feel blindsided. Instead of imposing a rule, invite your child into the conversation. Explain that you'd like to try something different for a week, and ask for their input. When kids feel ownership, they’re more likely to participate with less resistance.
It helps to be honest. Try saying something like:
“I’ve noticed how screens are making us all a little more irritable and distracted lately. I’m wondering what it would feel like to take a break together for a week. What do you think we’d discover if we had more time to play, read, or make things?”
Then, make a list of potential activities together. Let your child pick a few favorites to put on a calendar or poster for the week. Ownership builds enthusiasm.
Create a Game Plan—But Keep It Flexible
A screen-free week doesn’t have to look like a bootcamp. You don’t need to reinvent your family routines overnight. But preparation helps. Especially if you anticipate those after-school slumps or the “I’m bored!” echoes bouncing off your kitchen walls.
Think about when your child usually turns to screens. Is it first thing in the morning? After school? While you’re cooking dinner? Create small routines to fill those gaps:
- Have drawing supplies or puzzles ready for quiet mornings
- Prep audiobooks or music for downtime
- Try setting up a creative space with craft supplies or building materials
When tough moments come (and they will), remember: this isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention.
Audiobooks and Storytelling: A Bridge to Screens-Free Calm
One gentle way to ease the transition is to introduce your child to audio storytelling. It’s screen-free but still deeply engaging. Many families find that audiobooks become a cozy part of their daily routine—whether during solo playtime, car rides, or before bed.
The LISN Kids app offers a curated world of original audiobooks and audio series just for ages 3–12. It’s ad-free, creative, and designed to spark the imagination without visual input. You can download it on iOS or Android and explore the content offline once installed. It can be a trusted companion during your screen-free experiment.
Replace, Don’t Remove: What Will They Look Forward To?
Kids often turn to screens not because they’re lazy or disinterested in the real world—but because there’s a lack of equally enticing alternatives. The good news? Children will surprise you when given the chance to lead their boredom toward creativity.
You might:
- Set up mini “missions” each day: build a fort, invent a recipe, write a comic
- Invite neighborhood kids over for screen-free playdates
- Create a family challenge: who can go longest without asking for a screen?
And for inspiration, browse this helpful list of screen-free boredom busters.
Keep It Real: Knowing When to Bend the Rules
Screen-free doesn’t have to mean zero exceptions. Life happens. Homework might require a tablet. You may need a screen break moment of your own. And that’s okay. Give yourself—and your child—grace in those moments.
You’re not trying to achieve a gold star in parenting. You’re just trying something meaningful with your child. Every hour spent walking in the woods, building Legos, or listening to stories together is a powerful counterbalance to the overstimulation of digital devices.
To extend the benefits beyond one week, consider what rhythms worked best and see how you can protect them. Maybe you adopt a no-screen Wednesday, or implement a new screen-time balance strategy—like some of the suggestions in our guide to curbing weekend screen binges or prioritizing outdoor play.
Remember Why You Started
A week without screens won’t solve everything. But it can be a reset button—a way to reconnect with your child and build peace into your home. Don’t focus on what you’re losing. Think instead of all the things you’re making space for: laughter, stories, eye contact, shared meals, rest.
Parenting isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about showing up, trying, learning, and trying again. And if you’ve read this far, you’re already doing that beautifully.