Started taking my boys hiking on Saturdays and they're actually putting their phones down for it. We do it as a family thing, make it an adventure. My 10yo has discovered he likes nature more than I expected. My 16yo still brings his phone but at least he's outside. It's not about banning screens, it's about making other stuff more interesting than the screen. Seems to be working.
Getting them outdoors is winning. My kids would probably gripe at first but once they're out there the phones come down naturally. You're onto something real.
This is solid parenting. Getting them outdoors and off devices is half the battle. They'll remember the hiking trips way more than whatever game they were playing.
The phones down part is the real victory here. My kids still want to bring theirs everywhere but you're teaching them there's a whole world without screens.
Saturday hikes are a game changer. My boys were the same way until we started doing this regularly. Now they actually ask to go instead of me begging them.
How long are your hikes? I'm trying to get my kids off screens too but I don't want to torture them with something that feels like punishment.
We've been doing the same thing with Saturdays. Started with short walks but now the boys actually ask when we're going. They'll never tell you but they prefer the time with us to the games.
This is exactly what I'm trying to do with mine. Saturday hikes are a game changer. How far are you going? My kids started actually talking to me again once we got them away from screens.
Sign in to join the conversation.
That's the secret right there - you have to give them something better than gaming to do. Hiking works because there's actual adventure in it. How old are your boys?