9 ways to limit screen time of children and keep them happy

School’s summer vacations have begun, and so has the increasing screen time of children. As soon as the break begins, screens can be a convenient distraction, and kids are spending more time on devices.

These days, gadgets and screen time have become a major source of entertainment. According to Harvards’ reports, kids aged 8-12 spend 4-6 hours daily on screens, and teens spend around 9 hours .To avoid excessive screen time, parents can plan engaging activities that promote learning, and creativity. But this might be challenging especially for working parents. Parents have to focus on their work and home, side-by-side. Harvard's latest publication outlines nine amazing ways to keep your kids busy without screens.

Keep kids happy without screens - 9 easy steps

Apply these easy and fun strategies to keep your kids entertained while strengthening your relationship with themGet creative- Grab affordable stationery supplies like poster boards, sheets of paper, paints, markers, sketch pens. Let your child unfold their imagination by designing their board the way they like. Encourage kids to turn their ideas into colourful creations. Go outside- Spending time outdoors is the least that kids these days do.

Encourage kids to go outside- play games, run around , go for a walk, or try out different sports like football, cricket, basketball. Outdoor activities promote physical health.Go to the library- Plan an early trip to the library at the beginning of the vacation, so that your child has lots of books, puzzles and crosswords. This helps the children to improve their reading and writing skills, while introducing new vocabulary they can use in everyday life. Build a fort in the living room- Create a cozy hideout using blankets or sheets over chairs. Add pillows, sleeping bags, flashlights, and maybe some snacks or books. Let your kids stay in their indoor fort- and keep it up all vacation long. Build a city in the living room- Use toys, building blocks, cardboard boxes, legos, and other stuff to build a city in your living room. Let your child build the city , the way they want it to look like. Add cars, animals, trains, roads, buildings, and other toys.

Expand the city day by day, and let their imagination run wild. Read out loud- Read aloud as many books as you can. There are so many fun and comic books, with dialogues. Bring the characters to life with different voices and expressive storytelling. Get into the character of the book, and have funHave a puppet show- Buy puppets from the stores or make your own puppets using socks, dolls, or other action figures. Hold them and use your voice to enact.

To create a mini theater, grab a cardboard box, cut out the back, and drape a cloth over the front. You can add props, costumes, etc making it a fun way to entertain and educate kids. Get out the games- Play different board games, like checkers, chess, uno, and monopoly. These games are timeless and enjoyable for all ages. Playing such games promotes social interaction, strategy, and is a great way to spend quality time with each other. Bake- You don't have to be a pro at baking. But trying simple recipes with adults or your parents can be fun. Try cookies, cakes, desserts, or simply add frosting and decorations to make your dish even sweeter.