Get the Kids Unplugged This Summer with These Fun Activities

Kids are spending too much time with entertainment media. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that kids are spending an average of 7 hours a day in front a screen, whether it be a TV, computer, tablet, and/or smart phone.

Studies show that too much screen time can lead to:

• Attention problems
• Sleep problems
• Obesity

To help keep kids healthy, the AAP recommends that children over the age of 2 be limited to 1-2 hours of entertainment screen time a day. The AAP also says that children under the age of 2 should not be in front of a screen at all.

Screen-Free Activities

It can be hard to limit your child's screen time to 2 hours a day, especially if they are used to spending lot of time watching TV or playing with their tablet. But, you can help your children by suggesting and organizing other fun activities that don't require a screen.

Keep your kids stay active and engaged this summer with these fun screen-free activities.

• Arts and crafts – Get your kids' creative juices flowing by having them finger paint, color, put together a scrap book or make jewelry.
• Board games – Have a game night once or twice a week where the whole family picks a favorite game to play.
• Bike Riding – Put on your helmets, pack water bottles and go for a bike ride in your local forest preserve or even just in your neighborhood.
• Capture the Flag – If your kids have a big group of friends over, help them organize a game of capture the flag in the back yard.
• Scavenger hunt – Send your kids and their friends on a hunt for treasures around your house or your neighborhood.
• Swimming – Ride your bikes over to the local pool and spend the day swimming, diving, and going down the water slides.

Many of these are outdoor activities so please remember to put on sunscreen with at least SPF 30. If you are outside for more than two hours, it's a good idea to reapply so that you don't get burned.

Sources: NIH, AAP