Summer Screen Time Rules

A set of screen time rules for summer and proactive ways to handle screen time during summer break. Plus a free summer screen time rules printable.

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Summer Screen Time Struggles

One of the biggest parent struggles in the summer is battling screentime. It seems whether you have a toddler or a teenager, managing screens can be a huge fight for many parents.

I have to admit, we do a lot less than most families. For starters, it’s not because I’m some perfect parent, or that I delight in torturing my children or myself. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Both of my kids are still fairly young. We have elementary school-age children. But even our preschoolers and toddlers let us know quickly we needed to set clear expectations to prevent the summer screen-time battles that started so early. I’ve found during the toddler and preschool years, that my kids just can’t handle a lot of screentime without major behavior changes. There tend to be a lot more fits, meltdowns, and big emotions when there’s a ton of screentime.

As my kids have grown, we’ve adjusted amount of time and what screen use looks like. It’s all going to depend on the ages of your kids!

My kids still love shows, they love computer games, and we’re a Disney-loving family who believes in movies! We even do a weekly family movie night tradition. So let me tell you, we’re in the same boat with kids who love them some screentime, and a mom who constantly needs to set screentime rules and boundaries and remind kids what those rules are.

Summer Screen Time Rules

Summer break brings a unique challenge. Kids are home all day, or at least a lot of it. There are many days it’s too hot to go outside. Also, most parents still have plenty to do with a lot more responsibility on their plates with children at home. Several kids thinking summertime means their personal use should go up, and they’re more than happy to become screen zombies.

Every family knows screen time limits and clear daily expectations of how much screen time, what type of screens, and what time of day they’re allowed are all part of your screen time plan for the summer months. And the use of electronic devices can be great when they’re mixed with complete chores, social time, creative play, and set daily tasks we assign for our kids.

That’s why we’re all for utilizing screen time for our advantage and making sure some set rules are in place.

Summer Screen Time Checklist:

The American Academy of Adolescent and Child Psychology and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend 1 hour or less for kids ages two and up. And there are a lot of guidelines to encourage outdoor time, active play, and creative time.

That’s why we created this FREE summer screen time rules printable that helps kids clearly see what other tasks need to be completed before screen time happens. It’s meant to help kids accomplish the other things they need to, parents keep kids from being glued to screens all summer, and expectations are set to eliminate endless questions asking about screens.

Grab the Free Summer Screen Time Printable

Set summer screen time rules with this reusable daily before screen time task list! Just let us know what email you’d like the PDF file sent to, and we’ll send it straight to your inbox to print and use!

And if you need fun ideas to do after your set amount of screen time, don’t forget to grab our 150 Summer Activities for Families printable!

Using the Daily Checklist

I’d highly recommend you print the free printables for each of your kids so they have their own. Add the child’s name, and use a laminator or a sheet protector so you you can reuse the same page each day. Grab some dry-erase markers, and help them get in the habit or some good routines and healthy habits to accomplish and think about each day before they think about screens.

You may get a little pushback at first, but most kids learn to appreciate the boundaries and clear expectations when screen rules apply, and how many minutes os screen time they’ll get.

May this free download help save a little sanity for not only mamas, but all family members as you deal with your kid’s screen time this summer!

Be sure to check out these summer resources for families:

Summer Camp Ideas At Home: Camp Mom Series

How to Limit Screen Time: Setting Up Boundaries as a Parent

Summer Chore Chart for Kids

Summer Schedule for Kids with Free Printable

Quiet Time for Kids