In the United States, the average child between ages 8 and 12 spends four to six hours per day using or watching screens. In teens, the number is even higher at up to nine hours. This holiday season, give your kids and teens the gift of screen-free time to inspire their creativity, support their health, boost their social skills and help them relax and have fun.
Why Parents Should Monitor Kids’ Screen Time
“Digital devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops can provide some entertainment and educational benefits for children and teens, but it’s always a good idea to look for ways to reduce their screen time,” says Dr. John Carter, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children's Rock Hill Pediatrics. “Kids and teens need tech-free time to build creativity, critical thinking and social skills.”
Excessive screen time in children and teenagers can lead to:
- Poor performance at school
- Decreased reading
- Mood issues
- Poor sleep habits
- Fear of missing out
- Less time with loved ones
- Decreased physical activity and time outdoors
- Weight issues
- Body image issues and low self-esteem
Tech-Free Holiday Gifts for Kids and Teens
“Look for gifts that help kids experience new things, socialize with others or get physically active,” says Dr. Carter.
Some no- and low-tech gift ideas for children and teens include:
Gifts to Encourage Being Active:
- Athletic equipment, such as a basketball, a scooter, a soccer ball, rollerblades, a jump rope or a bicycle
- Related sports gear like a helmet and athletic shoes, socks and clothes
- A hiking or camping trip
- A day trip to a nearby city
- Kid-friendly camping supplies
Gifts to Expand Their Mind:
- Books
- Musical instruments, like a keyboard, drum set or guitar for older kids or toy musical instruments for younger children
- Puzzles
- Paint-by-numbers kits
- Art and crafts supplies, like crayons, colored pencils, molding clay, paint, paint brushes and markers
- Crochet or knitting kits
- Educational games
- Card games
- Kid-friendly gardening supplies
- Board games
- Experiential gifts, such as tickets to a kid-friendly concert, sporting event, theatre performance, museum, cooking or baking class, music lessons or escape room (note: if you go to a loud event, like a concert, be sure your kids wear earplugs to protect their hearing!)
- Stuffed animals, dolls or figurines
- A subscription to an educational magazine
- A comic book kit
- Bubbles
- Toy kitchen sets
- Blocks
- Legos
- Cooking supplies
- Costumes
- Coloring books
- A chess set
- Sudoku or crossword puzzles
- Science experiment kits
- Science instruments, like a microscope or telescope
- STEM or cooking subscription boxes
- Decor for their bedroom
- Magic sets
- Toy trains, trucks and cars
With some creativity, you can find screen-free ways to keep the kids and teens in your life entertained and educated this festive season and beyond.
If you have questions about keeping your child healthy, talk to their pediatrician. Find a Levine Children’s pediatrician near you.
