The Holiday Challenge: More Screen Time, Less Balance
Jul 23, 2025
Discover 3 expert tips for managing children’s screen time during holidays. Learn how ScreenTreat helps families create balance and avoid screen-time conflicts.
The Holiday Challenge: More Screen Time, Less Balance
When school routines take a break for holidays, many families face an unexpected challenge – kids spend significantly more time glued to screens. According to research conducted in the UK, Australia, and the USA, average daily screen time during holidays increases by 39% to 68%, far exceeding the recommended daily limits for primary school children.
This sharp increase in screen exposure can have long-term effects on a child’s well-being. More screen time often means less physical activity, unhealthy snacking, disrupted sleep, and potential weight gain.
So, how can parents strike the right balance between fun and healthy habits? Rūta Brazdauskienė, co-founder of the smart parental control app ScreenTreat, shares 3 simple yet effective tips.
1. Establish a Clear Daily Structure
Children thrive on routine – even during school holidays.
Plan a daily schedule that includes time for chores, outdoor play, creative activities, and family meals.
Introduce “screen-free time” during the day to encourage kids to play, read, or engage in offline activities.
Limit access to devices at least 1 hour before bedtime to promote better sleep.
Parents should lead by example. When kids see that mom and dad put away their phones, they are more likely to follow the rules.
2. No Chores, No Screen Time
Screen time should be earned, not given unconditionally.
Assign simple daily tasks – making the bed, brushing teeth, clearing the table – and grant screen time only after these responsibilities are completed.
This approach reduces conflicts because the rules are clear: no chores = no screens. Start with short sessions, like 30 minutes a day, and let kids earn additional time through positive actions.
3. Turn Screen Time Into a Reward
Make screen time a motivational tool rather than a constant default.
Reward extra tasks like reading a book, spending 30 minutes outdoors, or helping in the kitchen with extra screen time.
Household chores such as taking out the trash, unloading the dishwasher, or dusting can also become part of this earning system.
Apps like ScreenTreat make this process seamless. With ScreenTreat, parents create tasks and assign screen-time rewards. Kids learn responsibility, time management, and the value of balance.
ScreenTreat: Making Screen Time a Treat, Not a Battle
ScreenTreat was designed by parents who understand the daily struggles of setting screen limits. With custom tasks, motivational rewards, and easy control over screen time, it transforms screen-time arguments into a fun and educational system.
Download ScreenTreat on iOS today and experience a smarter way to manage screen time during holidays and beyond.
Key Takeaways for Parents
A clear routine helps kids stay active and productive.
Screen time should be earned, not granted.
Positive reinforcement works better than restrictions.