Besrey - Dec.28 2025

How do modern kids manage to balance screen time with traditional activities like reading books and riding bikes?

In this new digital age, we are dominated by screens: from tablets and smartphones to TVs and gaming consoles, children are growing up surrounded by technology. While screens offer educational and entertainment options, many parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend using them. The challenge for many families is finding a healthy balance between screen time and outdoor activities. Achieving this balance isn't impossible, but it is essential for the proper physical, mental, and emotional development of our children.

Why Balance Is Important

Striking the right balance between traditional outdoor play and screen time will contribute to your child's well-being. Recent studies have shown that excessive screen time causes sleep problems, eye strain, and reduced physical activity. On the other hand, limiting screen time and encouraging physical activity will help your children develop healthy habits and life skills for the long term.
What benefits are we talking about?
· Improved Physical Health
· Better Mental Well-being
· Enhanced Sleep
· Stronger Social Skills
· Reduced Distractions
On the other hand, traditional activities like reading a book or painting and drawing not only stimulate the imagination and improve vocabulary and strengthen concentration, but also enhance physical activities such as riding a bicycle, especially balance bikes designed for toddlers, these activities improve motor development, coordination, and confidence. Playing outdoors encourages children to build their own worlds and narratives, fostering innovation.

Maintaining a healthy balance between screen time and physical activity will ensure that children benefit not only from technology, but also develop proper growth and learning through varied, unstructured play helps children become more adaptable.

Guidelines and Boundaries for Screen Time

Currently, parents must limit screen time and raise awareness among children about the responsible use of these devices. Pediatricians generally recommend limiting screen time to approximately two hours per day, but this depends on the child's age. For toddlers and preschoolers, screen time should be kept to a minimum, as interactive play and physical activity should be prioritized.
Key Guidelines & Boundaries:
Age-Appropriate Limits:
· Under 18 months: No screen time (except video calls).
· 18-24 months: Minimal, high-quality, supervised use (e.g., video calls).
· 2-5 years: Up to 1 hour/day of quality content (educational, interactive).
· 6-12 years: Up to 1-2 hours/day of recreational use (outside school).
· Teens (13-18): Limit recreational time to <2-3 hours/day, prioritizing sleep/activity.
· Adults: <2 hours/day recreational screen time; balance with work.

Tech-Free Zones & Times:
Bedrooms: Keep devices out, especially overnight, to improve sleep.
Mealtimes: Make family meals screen-free for bonding.
Before Bed: No screens 1 hour before sleep due to blue light disrupting sleep.

Take advantage of parental control features available on devices and apps. Set up time limits, block inappropriate content, and monitor your child's online activities. These tools can be valuable allies in helping parents manage and regulate screen time effectively.
Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially with teenagers. But it's not impossible. It takes patience, consistency, and dedication to create healthy boundaries that benefit our children and promote better screen-free development.

Encouraging Traditional Activities

One of the most effective ways to reduce excessive screen time is to engage in fun and accessible traditional activities. Children are naturally curious and active, especially when they participate in activities that don't involve screens.

How can we promote the habit of reading?
· Create a habit of reading aloud
· Design a comfy, inviting spot for reading.
· Let kids pick their books and keep them visible and accessible
· Library & Book Clubs: Join local programs for engagement.

For Active Play & Biking:

▪Role-modelling a positive attitude to physical activity
▪Family Adventures: Cooking and Baking, Hiking or nature walks, Gardening and Nature Scavenger Hunts, Crafting and Artistic Projects.
▪Bike rides: For younger children, a balance bike is an excellent introduction to cycling. Products like the Besrey Balance Bike for Toddlers are designed to help kids learn balance naturally.

When we share traditional activities with our children in their routines, the time they spend on a screen will become less dominant.

Role of Parents and Routines

As parents, our example is critical when it comes to helping our children effectively manage their screen time. Our children imitate our behavior when they reach adulthood, so if we use technology responsibly, they will likely follow our example. Simple, everyday actions like putting our phones aside during family dinners or reading a book instead of using social media send a powerful message to our children.

The Power of Routines

· When children know what to expect, they can focus their energy on learning rather than worrying about transitions.
· Maintaining a Healthy Sleep Routine: Schedule reduces the "cognitive load" on children, helping them master executive functions like focus, patience, and impulse control.
· Developing Independence: Predictable routines allow children to take initiative in self-care tasks.

Conclusion

Children of this generation face a significant challenge: balancing screen time with traditional activities, but a balance can be found. We shouldn't view technology as inherently negative; when used educationally, it can be incredibly enriching. However, traditional activities like reading a book, riding a bike, or having a picnic also contribute to physical development, cognitive growth, and emotional well-being.

By setting limits, we will allow healthy habits to be shaped and effective routines to be established. Devices like balance bikes provide fun, active alternatives that naturally draw kids away from screens and into the real world. If it is possible to find a healthy balance between screen time and playtime, children will be able to develop confidence and proactivity, willing to enjoy both experiences: digital and traditional.

Article credit: 
https://dailymind.co.uk/blogs/news/balance-screen-time-traditional-play#:~:text=Social%20Skills:%20Playing%20with%20others,of%20play%20overshadows%20the%20other.
https://slateschool.in/why-limiting-screen-time-is-essential-for-your-childs-development/#:~:text=At%20Slate%20%E2%80%93%20The%20School%2C%20we,Safety%20from%20Cyber%20Risks
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-library/qa-portal-library-questions/screen-time-guidelines/#:~:text=Help%20your%20child%20practice%20media,video%20sharing%2C%20and%20gaming%20apps
https://www.adventurelore.org/post/balancing-act-tips-for-parents-to-help-balance-screen-time#:~:text=Ideal%20discretionary%20screen%20time%20limits,adventures%20fosters%20a%20healthier%20lifestyle
https://junglejumparoo.com/blogs/ultimate-kids-trampoline/how-to-balance-screen-time-and-active-play-for-kids#:~:text=Make%20active%20play%20a%20family,off%20screens%20and%20actively%20engaged
https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/nutrition-fitness/physical-activity/physical-activity-getting-involved#:~:text=somewhere%20every%20day-,Tips%20to%20encourage%20your%20child%20to%20be%20active,positive%20attitude%20to%20physical%20activity
https://www.sunsetacademy.com/the-importance-of-routine-a-guide-for-parents-and-children/#:~:text=By%20having%20regular%20meals%20and,responsibility%20for%20their%20personal%20care