It’s the start of the summer holidays and, if you’re like me, you’re probably already thinking about how to encourage your children to spend more time outside and less in front of screens.
Screen Time Trends
We’re not alone. New research from woom reveals that 52% of UK parents expect their kids to spend more time on screens than outdoors this summer. I’m big on planning plenty of outdoor activities, but I know that the PS5 or Nintendo Switch is usually the kids’ first port of call for entertainment.
According to the study of 1,500 parents across the UK:
- 70% are concerned about their kids’ activity levels this summer.
- 27% say their children spend less than an hour a day on outside activities during the summer holidays.
- 80% of parents notice positive changes in their children’s’ behaviour and mood when they spend more time outside.
Encouraging Outdoor Activities
I’ve previously written a blog on summer challenges to help keep children stimulated and entertained over the summer and my good friend also wrote a great guest blog about low cost summer activities. woom’s research provides further inspiration revealing the top ten activities that can help get kids active outdoors:
- Going to the beach (54%)
- Visiting a playground (45%)
- Picnic (40%)
- Playing outdoor sports such as tennis, rounders, badminton (30%)
- Outdoor swimming/going to a water park (26%)
- Family bike ride (21%)
- Going to the zoo (17%)
- Gardening (14%)
- Camping (11%)
- Treasure hunts (7%)
Cycling as an Antidote to Screen Time
One standout finding from the research is the transformative power of cycling. Well over half (56%) of parents noticed that their child had become more confident in other activities since learning to ride a bike. Cycling not only helps build physical fitness but also boosts confidence and creates lasting family memories.
Top Tips
- Plan Family Bike Rides: Incorporate regular family bike rides into your weekly routine. Explore local parks, trails, and safe bike paths.
- Mix Up Activities: Alongside biking, mix in other outdoor activities like picnics, beach visits, and treasure hunts to keep things exciting.
- Set Goals: Encourage your kids to set personal goals, such as learning a new biking trick or exploring a new trail.
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As parents, we have the power to turn the tide on screen time and make this summer one of outdoor adventure for our children.
