4 Ways to Keep Play Front and Center During Screen Time

Summer is here, and with it comes one of childhood's greatest gifts: extra time. There’s time to explore, imagine, create, get bored, get messy, and play.

As a mom of three, I deeply believe in the importance of free play, outdoor adventures, and using play as a way to connect as a family. But if your kids are home all day, every day, I also understand that strategic screen time can be a valuable tool. Sometimes you need to make dinner, answer an email, attend a meeting, or simply create a moment of calm in a busy household.

As the director of digital wellness at Zigazoo, and as a parent navigating summer right alongside you, I spend a lot of time thinking about this balance. The goal isn't to eliminate screens. The goal is to make sure screens serve your family rather than run it.

Here are four strategies that help our family keep the focus on play while using technology in intentional, healthy ways.

1. Create "Unlocks" Before Screen Time
Sometimes screens come out because we need them. But when my kids want to use technology on their own, there are a few things that need to happen first.

Every family can create their own "unlocks." Maybe it's spending time outside, completing chores, reading, practicing an instrument, or using behavior tokens earned throughout the day.

The biggest benefit of screen-time “unlocks” is that they help break the habit of reaching for a device the moment boredom strikes. Instead, children learn that technology is one option among many, not the default. Before long, they know what needs to happen before asking, and many of those healthy habits begin to happen naturally.

2. Focus on What Kids are Doing, Not Just How Long They're Doing It
One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How much screen time should my child have?" The truth is that not all screen time is created equal.

If my kids want to spend time scrolling or watching videos, that generally gets a smaller allotment of time. But if they're using technology as a tool to create a video, design an invention, FaceTime a friend, or learn a new skill, that often earns more flexibility.

That's why I've been intentional about curating the apps, games, and platforms my children use. Once I know what they're doing, I can make better decisions about how much time makes sense.

I also teach my kids that technology is a tool, not a destination. We talk about how their minds and bodies feel after using screens and help them recognize when it's time for a break. Before screen time even begins, we usually talk about how it will end. A little preparation often makes transitions much smoother for everyone.

3. Create Clear Boundaries Around Where and When Screens Can be Used
Technology travels with us everywhere, which is why I find it helpful to establish clear screen zones and no-screen zones.

In our family, there are simply certain places where screens don't belong: at the playground, we're there to play; during meals, we're there to connect; during quiet time, the options are reading, drawing, journaling, building, or daydreaming.

These boundaries matter because our children watch us. When screens appear available everywhere, kids naturally assume they should be an option everywhere too.

Clear boundaries help remove the constant negotiation. Over time, children stop asking for screens in certain situations because they understand those spaces are reserved for something else, and that's often where the best play, creativity, and connection happen.

4. Don't Forget to Connect
Before I had my own kids, I thought giving a kid a screen was cheating. Now I see technology for what it can be: a useful tool that helps parents manage busy lives and gives children opportunities to create, learn, discover, and connect when managed thoughtfully.

But I've also learned something important: just because kids are quiet doesn't mean they're okay. One of the most important parts of digital wellness is maintaining an ongoing conversation with our children about their digital lives.

When my kids finish their screen time, I often ask them to show me something. What made them laugh? What did they learn? What are they proud of? What questions do they have?

Those small conversations build trust over time. If your child knows they can come to you to share a funny video or something they created, they're also much more likely to come to you when something online feels confusing, uncomfortable, or unsafe.

May your kids spend time outside, building forts, riding bikes, making up games, getting messy, and creating memories with friends.

May your family have plenty of unplugged moments that become the stories you tell for years to come.

And may these tips from a realistic mom, and a professional in youth digital wellness, help you use technology in ways that support creativity, connection, and family life while keeping play at the center of all seasons.

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