5 Simple Summer Screen Time Rules That Actually Work

Inside: Tired of the screen time battles already? This post shares 5 simple summer screen time rules that are flexible, connection-focused, and actually work, especially for strong-willed or neurodivergent kids. You can download a free printable Screen-Free Menu to help your child choose healthier, happier alternatives.

I was just at the pool with a friend who’s going to help me grow Raising Kids With Purpose, so I can offer more parenting classes and support to moms and dads who are in the trenches. We decided to meet at my community pool so her kids could swim while we talked.

I brought my laptop and started walking her through the systems I’ve been building, thanks to Chelsi Jo’s Systemize to Scale, and then we were interrupted as expected with little kids. But then the interruptions became more frequent because her son really wanted to play a game on her computer (which didn’t even have wifi).

We kept explaining to him that Prodigy doesn’t work without the internet, but he couldn’t stop asking to play. He had only gone swimming for a few minutes and then hovered nearby, waiting for his chance to ask again.

She looked at me and said, “He keeps asking because he never gets it.” Then she proceeded to say that he plays at school, but now that school is over for summer break, I could see how he was wanting to fill his boredom with technology.

I mean, I find myself doing the same thing, and it’s something I’m working on with the BePresent app. 

What we saw with my friend’s son is only a fraction of what I experience in my house with one of my kids. In fact, I encouraged him to go to the pool with me so he could play with her boys, but he refused. 

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His meltdowns were getting so bad, and his behaviors were mirroring those of a full-blown addiction, even with minimal screen time. As much as I didn’t want to take away the one thing that he thinks makes him so happy, it was time to do a reset, and I was forced to implement summer screen time rules.

I was expecting the withdrawal symptoms to be worse than they are, but it’s still not fun for me or for him. Let’s say, I’m not his biggest fan right now. Therefore, he refused to join us at the pool. 

The resistance is intense. PDA parenting is no joke! We’ve had full meltdowns, desperate negotiations, and moments where I question whether it’s even worth it. 

I’ve learned this: If I want to raise a healthy, connected kid who can eventually self-regulate, I have to help him build a different relationship with screens even when it’s hard.

That is my role as a parent.

I could easily demonize screens.

They’re ubiquitous and stealing our attention, our ability to connect with other humans and they cause SO MANY STINKING POWER STRUGGLES! However, I need to remind myself that screens are not the enemy, and neither are you (even if you hear your kid scream, “I hate you” over and over again). 

Screen time doesn’t need to be wrapped in guilt or shame. But it does need to be managed with intention, especially during summer break when routines are loose, dopamine is low, and boredom is high.

This post isn’t about strict rules or tech-shaming. It’s about five simple, realistic summer screen time rules that support connection, regulation, and healthy habits so screens don’t end up ruining or taking over the whole summer.

1. Set summer screen time rules that include rhythms, not rigid schedules

During the school year, everything has its place. 

When to wake up, when to go to school/preschool/start homeschool, what to do after school, and when to get in the bath or shower and go to bed. 

Once summer break hits, it tends to be a free-for-all, which can be wonderful, but it also allows for a lot of boredom.

Parents and kids are increasingly struggling with handling boredom from both sides.  Ever since screens became a thing in 2009, it has become the default because it’s just so darn easy to hand over an iPad, tablet, laptop, or Smartphone.

Rigid rules like “only 30 minutes a day” or “no screens until 4 pm” can backfire, especially if you have a neurodivergent or strong-willed child (I see you, fellow PDA parents). 

In our house, the minute I try to enforce a strict limit, the pushback is immediate and often incredibly intense. 

What works more than anything is a daily rhythm. This is a predictable flow that creates gentle boundaries without setting off alarms.

The research is very clear on how important rhythms and routines are for all kids. An article on Seattle Children’s Hospital sums it up well: “Routines and rituals help kids feel safe and secure. From the day they’re born until they leave home, children benefit from structure and stability. For babies, routines teach them to trust that their caregivers will respond to their needs.” 

Needing routines is baked into our DNA to ensure we are cared for. 

An example would be doing tech-free mornings. This gives space for play, movement, chores, and connection before the pull of screens kicks in. 

Some families find success with summer screen time rules like “screens after lunch and chores” rhythm. It’s not about watching the clock but more about creating a predictable sequence that helps kids feel safe and regulated.

Visuals can help a ton here.

Whether it’s a simple checklist, a printed schedule, or a picture chart for younger kids, having something to point to reduces power struggles. Collaborating and making a plan together fulfills all three biological needs of competency, autonomy and relatedness. 

The goal is to create a summer screen time rules that include a rhythm that supports real-life connection, brain breaks, and healthy screen habits without burning yourself out in the process. If you’re needing help in this area, I have an entire blog post talking about rhythms and routines in the summer and have created 8 different options for you to print out and use! 

2. Involve Kids in Creating the Screen Time Plan

One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was deciding the summer screen time rules and limits for my kids instead of with them. My son’s psychologist was here yesterday and he did this whole monologue on how I tell him he can have screen time but then when he’s ready, he’s told that he needs to do the dishes, wash the dog, run a marathon, and then once he does all of those things, I tell him, “No.” 

Although what he said is not completely true, the overall concept of what he was trying to communicate is. I take charge, which causes him to get very upset or the two of us to get into a serious power struggle.  

I thought I was being clear and consistent and doing a good thing by having him move his body or do chores before playing, but it just felt like I was controlling him because, essentially, I was and still am. Again, I’m a work in progress! 

For many kids, the second they feel boxed in, the battle begins.

That’s why collaboration is vital. When kids are part of the process, they’re more likely to respect the outcome because it’s their outcome to achieve, not just yours.

You might start with a question like, “What do you think is a fair amount of time that lets you enjoy screens and still have a fun summer?”

And this isn’t just something I suggest. This is the exact question my son’s psychologist asked yesterday when we were discussing the plan we came up with. 

You can also problem-solve together: “What should happen if screen time starts making it hard to sleep or you get really grumpy afterward?”

For this question to land, your child needs to have an important cognitive skill: self-awareness. If he or she isn’t there yet, you can reframe this question about what should happen if you notice those behaviors, even if they don’t. 

Using a collaborative approach doesn’t mean you give in to every request; it means you’re guiding them to think critically, solve problems, and make healthy choices. This will help your child build life skills such as trust, accountability, and autonomy.

My favorite tool to use is from Dr. Ross Greene’s Lives in the Balance. You can check out all their Collaborative and Proactive Solutions worksheets here. 

We just did this with our son during his screen detox (which, by the way, he hated at first). Just because you collaborate doesn’t mean they’re going to still want to follow through with the plan. 

Once the hardest days passed, we sat down and created a new plan together. I could see his body soften a bit just knowing his voice mattered. And I reminded him that this wasn’t a punishment. It was a reset. Or he keeps calling it the Detox of Doom. A little play on words, I’ll take it!  

Regardless, it’s something we both agreed upon to have a better summer. 

When kids are invited into the conversation, they feel respected. 

3. Offer a “Screen-Free Menu” of Alternatives

One of the hardest things about having summer screen time rules is the what now? that follows. 

Screen time is replacing boredom, so if you get rid of it, what else is left? I think this is particularly hard for teenagers because of the cultural belief that they’re too old to play anymore or that there really is nothing left to do. 

This is why I love having a “Screen-Free Menu.” It’s a simple list of things they can do instead of reaching for a screen. Because, believe it or not, kids used to function just fine without being stimulated by a device 24/7.

My son’s first screen detox was about four years ago.

We were working with the same psychologist at the time, and she had him create a menu of activities he could do. They brainstormed activities he had access to, and then he made his own poster in Canva.

He was all on board for this because it meant he got to use a computer to create it. It’s important to note that not all screen time is created equal. 

The point of the list was to pick things he could do that made his brain and body feel good. Since then, his go-to activities have become reading books or building Legos. 

We laminated it, posted it on our family command center, and guess what? It’s still there.

Even though he’s older now and our screen time rules have evolved, that list reminds us both that screen time isn’t bad, but it’s also not the only way to have fun, connect, or feel stimulated.

This kind of tool gives your child agency. It gently shifts the question from “Can I have screen time?” to “What do I want to do right now that actually helps me feel good?”

To help you get started, I put his screen-free menu he created when he was 9, added a new one, and created a blank screen-free menu for your kiddo to use. You can highlight the activities your child likes best or start from scratch. 

Your kids might roll their eyes at first, but once they feel like it’s their list, not just another adult rule, you’ll start to see their buy-in. That shift makes all the difference.

4. Use Screen Time as a Tool, Not a Villain

Let’s clear this up right now: screens are not the enemy.

As I wrote those words, I had to say it a few times out loud to sink in! 

I know it feels like they are sometimes, especially when your kid melts down the second you say “time’s up,” or when they lose all motivation for anything that isn’t plugged in. 

Screens are tools. And tools can be used in a way that helps you or hurts you...and probably everything in between.

Instead of treating screen time rules as a way to manipulate or punish, we can start treating it like any other part of childhood: with intention.

That might look like: 

• Choosing quality content together
• Co-watching or co-playing when you can 
• Asking afterward, “What did you learn?” or “What did you love about that?”
• Creating some structure so screens are sprinkled in; not the center of everything

In our house, we’ve tried to make space for screen time that actually adds something, instead of just numbing out.

My favorite analogy is to think of screen usage as digital vegetables vs digital candy.

Digital vegetables would include coding, talking on FaceTime, watching a video while doing something in person, like drawing, painting or building a birdhouse.

Digital candy, on the other hand, would be playing Roblox for endless hours or even educational games that are highly gamified, and it becomes more about the reward than the learning. I won’t mention specific educational websites here, but if your kid is BEGGING you to get access or can’t turn it off, that’s your clue. 

Here are some examples of screens used with purpose:

• Science Shows that encourage you to conduct experiments at home, like Generation Genius or Mystery Science | Kids can learn science in a fun, engaging way.
• Art channels like Art for Kids Hub or CrAZy . aRT– These are great for kids to follow along while drawing, painting, and coloring. 
• Just Dance or Ring Fit Adventure | It’s a game where kids move and have a ton of fun. 
• Live mentor sessions | My son has a mentor with Curious Cardinals where they work on passion projects in real time. And I know the CEO, she’s an incredible human.
• Online classes through Outschool | I had the opportunity to interview the founder, when I co-hosted the KindlED Podcast powered by Prenda! You can check out the episode here! 
• Screen-based activities that don’t drain your kids but fuel their creativity. 

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When I shifted from “how do I limit screens?” to “how do I guide screen use in a way that supports who my kid is becoming?” things got a little easier. I no longer lived in pure frustration, which helped his reactivity, too. Crazy how that works! 

Summer screen time rules don’t need to be complicated or exhausting to implement.

I try to think about it as elevating it. Making it a tool that supports their development, not replaces it. Because even if we saw it as evil, unfortunately, technology is not going anywhere. 

5. Build in Daily Connection Moments That Don’t Include Screens

Sometimes the biggest reason our kids cling to screens is because they’re craving connection, but they don’t know how to ask for it. 

Screens are predictable. 

Easy. 

Stimulating.

Often OVER-stimulating. 

And when their nervous system is running on empty, it’s more impulsive and easier to grab a controller or iPad than it is to say, “Hey Mom, I need time with you.” Chances are, they don’t even consciously know they’re needing time with you. 

That’s why I always recommend building in daily connection moments or what I call quality time. These are times when we intentionally show up for our kids without distractions, even just for 10–15 minutes.

It doesn’t have to be a big production. Some of the best moments we’ve had lately have been:

• Morning walks before the heat kicks in
• Silly games like charades or our own made-up versions of “Would You Rather?”
• Evening chats with my son once the house is finally quiet
• Shared projects like reorganizing his scooter gear or cooking something together

For You! Download my Quality Time 1:1 Activity Ideas Poster here. 

These moments help kids feel seen and safe, AND connection also offers something kids’ brains desperately need: slow dopamine.

In a powerful article from Unplugged, called Slow vs Fast Dopamine: How to boost dopamine naturally, the author explains:

“Slow dopamine is the kind that comes from accomplishing goals, engaging in meaningful relationships, and being in nature. It’s the feel-good chemical that builds over time and contributes to lasting satisfaction, not just fleeting highs.”

When we carve out space for face-to-face connection, presence, and shared joy, we’re literally rewiring our kids’ brains toward lasting calm and fulfillment instead of just chasing the quick, hollow highs and quick dopamine that screens often provide.

Connection is the cup that screens can’t fill. And it’s also the path to sustainable regulation, less resistance, and a home that feels more peaceful, especially when the kids are home on summer break.

Final Thoughts: Let Connection Lead the Way

As I sat by the pool as my friend explained to her seven year old for the fifth time that Prodigy doesn’t work without internet and I kept checking in on my son who wouldn’t leave the house because he was mad I wouldn’t let him have technology, it struck me just how deeply this struggle runs.

It’s not just about screen time or summer screen time rules. It’s about what screens are replacing: play, rest, creativity, connection, and even a sense of self. 

And it’s about how overwhelmed we feel as parents, trying to make good decisions without losing our sanity.

We’re all navigating this together, and the technology companies are specifically after our kids because that’s where the money is. So whether your child begs all day for more time, falls apart when it ends, or zones out until nothing else feels fun, it doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you a parent in 2025. Ha! 

And while I don’t have all the answers (believe me, I’m still figuring this out too), I do know that our kids need our physical presence. They also need structure, rhythms, and boundaries implemented with how we want them to show up in the world. 

They need connection before correction.

This summer, instead of obsessing over limits or searching for the perfect screen time rules or parental control app, try this instead:

• Build a rhythm that works for your family
• Invite your kids into the plan
• Offer alternatives that light them up
• Use screens with purpose
• And most of all, connect with your kids, like really be present, look them in the eyes and delight in the gift God has given you. 

Even if it’s 10 minutes a day. Even if they roll their eyes. Even if they act like they don’t care.
As they feel attached and connected to you, they’ll slowly detach from the screens, which have such a strong pull on their hearts and minds. 

And hey, if your kid calls it the “Detox of Doom,” you’re probably doing something right 😉.

If you’re looking for more support, check out my 1:1 coaching program, The P.U.R.P.O.S.E. Transformation Program! You can always schedule a complimentary coaching call by finding a time here and my inbox is always open. 

Here are the free resources mentioned throughout this post: 

👉 Download your Quality Time Activities Poster

👉Download Your Free Summer Schedules (Routines, Block Schedules, Bucket List Ideas) 

👉 Download your free Screen-Free Menu Printable + Template 

You’ve got this. Remember, even if it doesn’t seem like it, your child still needs you.