Summer Screen Time Checklist Printable
Summer is coming, and we all know that sometimes it’s a fight to get the kids off the screens and outside into some fresh air. Is it worth the fight? Absolutely! So use this summer screen time checklist printable to help you manage your kids’ screen time, and maybe even take some of the struggle out of it.
See more health worksheets for kids to help your kids learn how to take care of their bodies.
So get your kids off the screens and onto some healthier activities, inside or out. Not only will you experience better physical health, but also better mental health.
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Facts About Screen Time You Should Know
Too much screen time for children has been linked to poorer vision, worse sleep, and even other physical issues like obesity! Doctors say that kids spend, on average, up to 7 hours per day on a screen of some kind, between television, tablets, video games, and computers. And with distance education, it’s even worse.
Here are a few surprising things I’ve learned while managing screen time in our home:
- Blue light delays melatonin production for hours: Even short exposure to screens before bedtime can push back melatonin release by up to 90 minutes. That means your child might be lying in bed wide awake, even if they seem tired when they put the device down.
- Fast-paced media can affect attention span: Shows or games that use quick scene changes and nonstop stimulation may make it harder for kids to concentrate on slower, real-world tasks like reading or writing. The brain gets used to constant novelty, and that can make everyday activities feel boring or frustrating.
- Too much screen time impacts posture and motor development: Holding tablets or slouching on the couch for long periods can lead to poor core strength and limited fine motor skills. This can quietly interfere with handwriting, balance, and even coordination during outdoor play.
What’s wrong with screens anyway? Parents spend a lot of time on screens themselves. We love our social media and video games. We have work meetings. And there’s research, online shopping, and connecting with others via email and instant messenger to do too. So why shouldn’t our kids be on screens?
So what’s a reasonable amount of screen time for kids during summer? I usually aim for no more than 1–2 hours a day, especially if it’s something passive like watching shows. But I also look at how the time is spent. If they’re using a learning app, making a stop-motion video, or practicing typing, that’s different from zoning out on YouTube.
For me, screen time works best when it comes after a full day of reading, creating, moving their bodies, and helping around the house.
Recommended Books About Limiting Screen Time
Discover more about the benefits of screen-based activities for kids by exploring one of the books on our recommended reading list. There’s a profound effect it has on their growing brains. And get tips on how to better manage your family’s use of technology with some of these books, too.
Screen Time: How Electronic Media–From Baby Videos to Educational Software–Affects Your Young ChildReset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-TimeThe Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real LifeScreenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital WorldRaising a Screen-Smart Kid: Embrace the Good and Avoid the Bad in the Digital AgeThe Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family
Positive Effects of Screen Time
When parents manage their children’s screen time effectively, children experience an improved quality of life. They sleep better, achieve better grades, tend to be less aggressive, and exhibit better physical health. All it takes is the habit of regular monitoring, discussion, and even restriction. Here are the positive effects of screen time:
- Supports learning through educational content: Apps, videos, and games can help kids understand tough concepts like math, science, or reading more engagingly.
- Builds digital literacy and tech skills: Kids get comfortable using devices, navigating programs, and even exploring coding skills they’ll absolutely need later on.
- Improves coordination and fine motor control: Certain games and activities can sharpen hand-eye coordination and enhance precision, particularly for early learners.
- Encourages creativity and independent thinking: Drawing apps, video creation tools, and music software give kids the space to create and express themselves in new ways.
- Helps maintain social connections: Video calls, messaging with friends, or participating in online classes can boost confidence and keep them connected, especially during slower homeschool seasons.
Sometimes, it’s easy to fall into the habit of letting our kids watch screens way more than is healthy for them. After all, there’s a huge educational component to screen time. Between learning shows, games that help them practice their problem-solving skills, and being able to research all their questions independently, kids can learn a lot on their tablets and TVs.
And really, it’s an easy way to keep them occupied. Screens tend to keep the mess down, prevent them from fighting with each other, and keep them from being underfoot. Who wants to mess with the few minutes of peace we get to sit and drink our coffee?
Make sure you’re making your kids aware of the dangers of the internet, see more internet safety for families ideas.
How do I check my child’s screen time?
We do need to manage their screen time, so finding a method that works for your family may be the key. There are various solutions available, ranging from automated systems that restrict access to specific devices for a set amount of time to digital timers or paper-based trackers, which can be tailored to every family’s needs.
Circle Home Plus (2nd Gen) | Parental Controls – Internet & Mobile Devices | Works on Wifi, Android & iOS Devices | Control Apps, Set Screen Time Limits, Block & Filter Content | LIFETIME SubscriptionBOB – Screen Time Manager – Manage Your TV Time & Video Game TimeScreen Time Tracker Log Book: Prevent Tech Addiction by Balancing Digital And Real Life For Kids, Teens and Adults. Brainstorm Screen-Free Activities … for Digital Detox. (Digital Detox Journals)
What’s inside the printable screen time checklist?
One way to manage your kids’ screen time is with this summer screen time checklist. Having your kids complete other activities before they get access to screens might be a way to keep them from getting into trouble, both on and off the screen. Inside, you’ll find:
Daily screen time checklists (in color and black-and-white)
Each checklist provides your child with a simple list of tasks to complete before earning device time, such as reading, playing outside, doing a chore, or being creative. It’s the same checklist for each day of the week, but with a column to track progress from Sunday through Saturday.
Editable space to set time goals
At the bottom, there’s a blank spot where you can write in how many minutes of screen time they’ll earn once the checklist is done. I like adjusting this based on the day, using less on busy outing days and perhaps a bit more when we’re stuck inside.
Multiple layout options
Whether you want to print one sheet per child for the week or laminate a single copy and reuse it, there’s flexibility built right in. Some pages are filled with checklists, while others leave more open space, depending on how detailed you want to be.
This printable is one of my favorite ways to keep screen time in check without nagging. My kids actually ask for it now, because they know exactly what’s expected and how they can earn their tech time.
More Healthy Habit Activities
- Screen Free Activities for Kids + Checklist
- Feelings Chart for Kids
- Yoga Poses Poster and Cards
- Homeschool Daily Checklist
- Health STEM Activities
- Dental Health Cutting Sheets by 3 Boys and a Dog
- Fast Food Color by Number by Homeschool Preschool
Download the screen time monitoring pages below
If you’re ready for a change in how your family manages screen time, then grab this free printable. Improve your kids’ health with the summer screen time checklist.