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Screen-Free Week Builds Healthier Summer Habits
May 1, 2026
Screen-Free Week, observed May 2 through May 8, 2026, encourages families to take a break from entertainment screens and refocus on daily habits that support overall health and well-being. While the timing may land midweek for many readers, the message comes at an ideal moment, just as families begin planning for the summer months ahead.
With school letting out in under a month across much of our area, many parents are already thinking about how to keep children active, engaged, and socially connected. Without structure, screen time can easily fill those extra hours.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children ages 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day. However, only about one in four children meet that recommendation. Regular physical activity supports heart health and fitness, strengthens bones and muscles, improves sleep quality, and plays an important role in mental health and mood.
Screen-Free Week can serve as a helpful reset, but it does not have to be all or nothing. Reducing recreational screen time, even in small ways, can open the door to healthier routines that carry into summer.
Many activities focus on getting kids moving, which is important, but simply stepping away from screens also creates opportunities for creativity and connection. Cooking a new recipe together, working on a puzzle, or playing board games are all simple ways families can spend time without devices.
As the weather warms up, outdoor activities become an easy and accessible option. Walking or hiking local trails, biking, visiting playgrounds, or organizing a nature scavenger hunt can help children stay active while enjoying time outside. Unstructured play, such as playing catch, shooting hoops, kicking a soccer ball, or building a backyard obstacle course, can be just as valuable as organized sports. Other options like swimming, gardening, sidewalk chalk, fishing, or even hunting for agates along the lakeshore offer a mix of activity and exploration. For those looking to plan ahead, Minnesota State Parks offer four free admission days each year, with the next scheduled for Saturday, June 13. Our area is fortunate to be located near several outstanding state parks, making it easy for families to take advantage of these opportunities.
Of course, not every day cooperates with outdoor plans. Having a few indoor options ready can help families stay on track. Activities like balloon volleyball, indoor obstacle courses, building a blanket fort, or having a family dance party can help kids stay active indoors. Quieter options such as arts and crafts, puzzles, reading, baking, or playing card games provide screen-free alternatives that still keep kids engaged.
The goal is not to eliminate screens entirely. Technology is part of everyday life. Instead, Screen-Free Week, and the transition into summer, offers a chance to find a better balance. By making small, intentional changes now, families can build routines that support a more active, connected, and healthy summer season.