Less Scrolling, More Rolling: Two Simple Ways to Get Kids Off Screens This Summer

Summer break is here, and if you're like most parents, you're already wondering how to keep your kids engaged without defaulting to endless screen time. The struggle is real. You're not alone in trying to get kids off screens.

Today I'm sharing two practical strategies that actually work (no complicated reward charts or bribing required). These are real-world tested approaches that busy parents can start using today.

The Power of a Simple Challenge

Here's what happened when I pitched an idea to my youngest son last week:

ME: I'm hosting a Summer Board Game Challenge.

HIM: What's that?

ME: That's where we play one board game every day until school starts.

HIM: What do I get if I complete the challenge?

ME: What do you want?

HIM: A full day of screens with no limits.

ME: Deal!

Yatzee Free for All

We started with Yahtzee. He ended up rolling dice for 30 minutes afterward, trying to see how many rolls it took to get a Yahtzee. That's the magic right there. When kids get genuinely engaged, they keep going on their own.

How to Set Up Your Own Summer Challenge to Get Kids off Screens

Pick something your kid actually enjoys. Board games aren't for everyone. Maybe it's:

• Reading challenge (books, comics, audiobooks all count)

• Daily bike rides around the neighborhood

• Baking something new each week

• Working on a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle together

  
  

Make tracking simple. We use a whiteboard chart. Nothing fancy. Lots of negotiations happen: Do cards count? Can you make up days if you're camping? What if I play a game with Grandma?

Let them negotiate. It keeps them invested.

Focus on connection, not perfection. The goal isn't to eliminate screens completely. It's to create intentional time together that builds problem-solving skills and genuine connection.

The Hidden Gem: Free Summer Bowling

Want to know a secret that over 2 million parents already discovered? Kids Bowl Free offers exactly what it sounds like, totally free bowling all summer long.

Here's how it works:

• Two games every single day at nearly 1,300 locations (and they're adding more daily)

• Register your child once using my special link, and you're set for the summer

• Want to bowl too? Add the family pass for one small fee, which is totally worth it!

Why this works so well:

• No planning required. Just show up when you need to beat the heat

• Perfect for those "we need to get out of the house" moments

• Gives you something to say yes to when kids complain they're bored

• Pro tip: Bring your laptop and work while they play (that's what I do)

  
  

Money-saving tip: If you plan to bowl more than a few times, buy bowling shoes. They'll pay for themselves quickly.

The Real Win Here

Both of these strategies work because they're not about restricting screens. They're about offering something genuinely appealing.

Kids resist when we take things away. They engage when we give them something interesting to move toward.

The board game challenge teaches problem-solving and creates daily connection time. Free bowling gets everyone out of the house and moving without breaking the budget.

Your Next Step

Pick one approach and try it this week. Don't overthink it. Start simple:

For the challenge approach: Ask your kid what they'd actually want to do every day this summer. Build from their interest, not your Pinterest board.

For the bowling option: Register today while it's free. Even if you only go twice, you've won.

The key is starting somewhere. Perfect summer plans don't exist, but engaged kids do, especially when we give them something worth engaging in.

Looking for more ways to tackle screen time this summer? Join other parents who are finding practical solutions. No judgment, just strategies that fit your busy schedule.