Managing Screen Time During Winter Months

Winter months can feel challenging for families with young children. Shorter days, cold weather, and limited outdoor opportunities often lead to increased screen time. While technology can be a useful tool, finding the right balance is key to maintaining healthy family routines and supporting your child's development.

Understanding Healthy Screen Time

Age-Appropriate Guidelines

Current recommendations suggest:

Under 18 months: Avoid screens except video calling
18-24 months: Watch high-quality programming with parents
2-5 years: Limit to 1 hour per day of high-quality content
All ages: Avoid screens during meals and before bedtime

Quality Over Quantity

Focus on content that is:

Educational and age-appropriate
Interactive rather than passive
Watched together when possible
Part of a balanced daily routine

Winter Screen Time Challenges

Common Issues

Increased indoor time leads to more screen exposure
Parents working from home may rely on screens more
Seasonal mood changes can affect motivation for other activities
Limited daylight affects natural energy patterns

The Importance of Balance

During winter, screens can serve positive purposes:

Educational content during short daylight hours
Virtual connections with family and friends
Indoor exercise and movement programs
Creative apps for art and music activities

Creating Healthy Screen Boundaries

Establish Clear Routines

Daily structure helps:

Set specific times for screen use
Create screen-free zones (bedrooms, dining table)
Use visual schedules for younger children
Build in transition warnings before screens turn off

Use Technology Purposefully

Choose educational content over entertainment
Watch together and discuss what you see
Encourage interactive rather than passive viewing
Use screens to inspire offline activities

Winter Alternatives to Screen Time

Indoor Physical Activities

Active play ideas:

Dance parties with favourite music
Indoor obstacle courses using furniture
Yoga or stretching routines
Building blanket forts and hideaways

Creative Activities

Hands-on exploration:

Arts and crafts with seasonal themes
Baking and cooking together
Building with blocks, Lego, or magnetic tiles
Playdough, clay, or sensory play

Learning Through Play

Educational activities:

Reading stories together
Simple science experiments
Puzzles and board games
Music making with household items

Making the Most of Limited Daylight

Morning Light Exposure

Open curtains and blinds early
Spend time near windows during breakfast
Take short outdoor walks when possible
Use bright indoor lighting during dark mornings

Afternoon Energy Boosters

Plan active indoor play after lunch
Use this time for creative projects
Encourage independent play with new toys
Schedule social activities with other families

Screen-Free Evening Routines

Wind-Down Activities

Calming options for darker evenings:

Reading bedtime stories
Gentle stretching or massage
Quiet music or lullabies
Gratitude sharing or reflection time

Creating Cosy Environments

Use warm lighting instead of bright screens
Create comfortable reading nooks
Prepare special evening snacks together
Focus on connection and conversation

Quality Screen Content for Winter

Educational Programming

Look for content that:

Teaches about seasons, weather, or winter animals
Encourages movement and participation
Introduces new vocabulary and concepts
Connects to real-world experiences

Interactive Options

Video calls with grandparents or friends
Virtual museum or zoo tours
Children's meditation or mindfulness apps
Creative apps that encourage making rather than consuming

Managing Parent Screen Time

Modelling Healthy Habits

Children learn by watching, so:

Put devices away during family time
Explain when you need to use screens for work
Show enthusiasm for non-screen activities
Take regular breaks from your own devices

Creating Family Screen Rules

Involve children in setting:

Times when everyone's devices are put away
Special screen-free family activities
Consequences for breaking agreed rules
Regular reviews of what's working

Winter Activity Planning

Weekly Planning

Create a balanced schedule including:

Daily outdoor time (even if brief)
Structured learning activities
Free play and creativity time
Limited, high-quality screen time

Preparing for Weather

Have ready:

Indoor activity boxes with rotating toys
Art supplies easily accessible
Music playlists for dance sessions
Books and puzzles for quiet time

Building Resilience During Difficult Weather

Teaching Coping Strategies

Help children understand:

Weather changes are temporary
We can find joy in different activities
Indoor time can be special family time
Planning ahead makes difficult days easier

Maintaining Social Connections

Arrange indoor playdates with friends
Use video calls to connect with distant family
Join local indoor activity groups
Participate in community winter events

Creating Special Winter Traditions

Screen-Free Family Traditions

Weekly family game nights
Saturday morning pancake making
Evening storytelling sessions
Sunday afternoon craft projects

Seasonal Learning Opportunities

Study winter animals and hibernation
Learn about different winter celebrations
Explore winter weather science
Create seasonal art and decorations

When Screen Time Increases

Don't Aim for Perfection

Some days will include more screen time:

During illness or difficult weather
When work demands are high
During family stress or transitions
When social opportunities are limited

Getting Back on Track

Acknowledge that balance takes practice
Gradually reduce screen time rather than stopping suddenly
Increase engaging alternatives
Focus on connection and quality time

Looking for childcare that understands balanced approaches to technology and child development? Join our waiting list to learn more about our screen-time philosophy when we open in 2026.