Some studies suggest that on-screen activities can support kids’ social and emotional well-being. If that’s the case, why should we reduce screen time? Because there are proven benefits of off-screen activities, including physical activity, immersive learning, hands-on play, and more!

What does screen time do to a child's brain? In the right context, it’s a helpful tool for teaching and keeping them engaged. What happens if you get too much screen time, though? Researchers at Kaiser say too much screen time may do more harm than good. Remember that moderation we mentioned above? It’s essential.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that elementary-age children should engage with screen time for one to two hours per day. Outside of this window, parents are encouraged to keep activities off-screen.

Your kids will love playing off-screen, and you’ll love the benefits they’ll get!

1. They Get Kids Moving

Let’s face it, as awesome as some on-screen activities can be, they generally require our kids to stay in one place for a bit. One of the best benefits of off-screen activities? They encourage kids to get moving.

The CDC recommends that 6- to 10-year-olds get at least one hour or more of physical activity each day. One way to ensure kids meet that target is by encouraging active play. Here are some fun off-screen activities to get kids moving:

Sports games:head to the park to play catch, enroll them in a new sport, or turn your backyard into an obstacle course.

Have them play Hide-and-Seek, a scavenger hunt, or a relay race.

Turn chores into a challenge:make a game out of household tasks, see how fast they can clean their room, etc.

But the benefits of off-screen toys expand beyond physical play...

2. They Encourage Hands-On Learning

Unplugged play engages kids while encouraging them to get hands-on and interact with their activities! Off-screen toys and games take play straight into the real world with no limitations.

For example, Squaregles magnetic building toys encourage kids to use their hands (and minds) to design and build structures. The best part? These magnetic toys build kids’ STEAM skills — mixing science, technology, engineering, art, and math to entertain and educate! 

Here’s how kids can get hands-on with Squaregles:

Inspire them to think like an engineer. Ask them to design and construct gravity-defying, multidimensional structures. Find new ways to combine their favorite Squaregles sets and create an epic kingdom for their Oggs!

Create a race track and have their Oggs characters compete! Kids can design and redesign the track and create obstacles for characters to dodge.

Challenge them to think outside the box. Ask your kids to bring to life stories for their Oggs characters, design colorful paperboards to match, and act out exciting new adventures.

We’ve covered the benefits of off-screen activities. Now it’s time to inspire your kids to lose themselves to hours of unplugged play. 

Here are some ways you can get them involved in the process:

1. Lead by example. Our kids always watch what we do, so cutting down on screen time starts with us parents setting the example. 

2. Block out time for on-screen and off-screen activities. Talk to your kids and work together to create a schedule you can all stick to. 

3. When they play unplugged, jump in on the fun! Bonding through play creates lifelong memories and encourages everyone to be more active at home. 

4. Find active toys that stimulate them to think outside the box. Need inspiration? Check out Squaregles’ Challenge Club!