When the screen fills every afternoon…

Does your youngster spend the afternoons glued to YouTube Kids or Roblox? If so, you’re not alone. For parents juggling work, meetings, and business calls, those hours provided by the ‘robot babysitter’ are a lifesaver. But… when the screen fills every afternoon even educational content can start to crowd out creativity, play, and real-world learning.

Screens aren’t the enemy – but balance is key. With a few creative tweaks, the ‘robot babysitter’ can take an afternoon off, too.

There is good news. Reducing screen time doesn’t have to mean constant supervision or elaborate activities. With a bit of structure, you can keep your child busy, happy, and developing new skills – without needing to pause your workday.

You may consider a few of the following ideas.

Create a simple poster with six or seven activity options

• build with Lego/Meccano
• draw your dream house/garden/holiday/pet
• read for 15 minutes
• make a card for a friend/mom/dad/granny/grandpa
• enter ‘the best of today’ and ‘the worst of today’ into a journal
• draw and colour-in the highlights of today in an artbook

Each day, your child picks two or three to complete before earning screen time. Having choices gives them a sense of control while encouraging variety.

Set up small play areas around the house – these change for interest’s sake.

• a box of puzzles
• art supplies
• toy cars, dolls, animal farm
• sensory bins with items such as rice and spoons, playdough, kinetic sand, bristle blocks
• musical instruments

Label each box so your child knows exactly which box he/she wants that day.

Swap some screen time for story time.

• Children’s audiobooks and podcasts are excellent for developing imagination and listening skills.
• Put them in a ‘story-time’ corner with snacks.

This is a screen-free treat your child can look forward to.

Once your day is done, turn chores into playful challenges.

• Can you set the dinner table before this song ends?
• I’ll time you as you tidy away your things.

Now connect with your child

• Challenge your child to ‘Junior 30 Seconds’ – an educational, yet fun-filled board game in which you have 30 seconds to describe the words on the card without saying the words.
• Take a short walk around the block – to the corner and back…
• Have a dance-off in the lounge.
• Discuss the activity your child chose today.

This brief, focused connection helps children feel seen and makes screen limits easier to accept.