The fastest way to occupy our kids is often by providing them with video games, smartphones, and televisions. It is all too late; we realize the folly of this strategy when it comes to peeling our children away from their screens to get them involved in something else. While some video games provide opportunities to develop problem-solving skills, they often impede valuable social interaction and physical activity crucial for healthy development in children. Video games can become a very overindulgent activity, consuming larger and larger portions of time. With video games being so easily accessible and obsessive, how can parents ensure that their kids are exploring other interests?

5 parenting tips to get your family to spend less time playing video games…

…without moving to a remote location and cutting off all power supply.

1. Turn family bonding time into a game.

If your child already has a high affinity for video games, leverage that interest into other family activities by establishing a family game night. Playing board games or trivia games together allows them to strengthen their analytical capabilities and enjoy some quality social time as a family.  

2. Use video game time as a reward.

You can easily balance out their time by letting your kids play video games as a reward for completing other tasks. For example, implement a weekly chore list or homework policy, where those things must be completed to earn game time. You limit your child’s video game time by replacing it with beneficial activities. Manage this and other wishes from a universal wishlist such as Wishfinity.

3. Get them interested in outdoor activities.

Whether its playing sports or going to the park, encouraging children to spend time engaged in the outdoors or in play minimizes their time for gaming and replaces it with healthy physical activity. 

4. Track their gaming time.

Track how much time each child plays video games in a given week. Ask your family members what they would do if they had more time in a day or week. Then, show them the total time they’ve gamed that week and discuss how it could be spent elsewhere. This will make them aware of the magnitude of their video gaming and give them ideas of cutting back on it to get more of the other things they want. 

5. Set daily limits to gaming.

Come up with a reasonable time limit for gaming that you feel is appropriate for your children and a plan for implementing it. Sit down and discuss it with your entire family so everyone understands how much video game time will be allowed and when. Everyone must be on the same page. To avoid having the discussion become an argument about restrictions and privileges, clarify that the limits are about healthy indulgence. 

Starting a family dialog about healthy indulgence is a beautiful thing. It helps everyone be supportive of limits and boundaries. Life is about balance, and—as we all know from experience—many things quickly become overindulgent activities. 

Overall, spending more time with your child will be vital in cutting back on video game hours. The extra bonding time will provide valuable insight into their other interests.