Screen Time vs. Sensory Time: Finding Balance During Summer Break
Summer break brings a welcome change of pace for many families with looser schedules and longer days. But with the shift away from school routines, many parents find that screen time starts to creep up. While tablets, TVs, and video games can offer fun and even educational value, too much passive screen time can lead to challenges with attention, behavior, sleep, and physical activity. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I often work with families to find ways to create a healthier balance—and that’s especially important during these long summer days.
Signs Your Child May Need a Break from Screens
Trouble sitting still or increased irritability after screen use
Sleep disruption or difficulty winding down
Avoidance of physical activity
Difficulty transitioning away from screens
It is important to remember that screen time isn’t inherently bad - it’s all about balance. By offering a variety of sensory-rich activities alongside monitored screen time, you can support your child’s overall development and well-being.
Why “Sensory Time” Matters
Sensory play supports your child’s development by encouraging movement, creativity, and exploration. It engages the senses—touch, sight, sound, movement—and supports motor planning, attention, self-regulation, and even emotional resilience.
When children get the right kinds of sensory input, they’re better able to stay calm, focused, and ready to learn and play.
7 At-Home Sensory-Rich Activities for Summer
Here are a few easy, low-cost, and fun ideas that help balance out screen time:
Water Play Stations
Fill a bin or plastic tub with water and add cups, sponges, toys, and even bubbles. Let your child scoop, pour, and splash. Add ice cubes on hot days for extra sensory input!
Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Use chalk to draw a course with directions like “hop on one foot,” “spin around,” or “bear crawl.” It gets kids moving and following multi-step directions while having fun.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of simple items to find outside (a smooth rock, something yellow, a leaf with jagged edges). This builds visual perception and encourages movement and mindfulness.
Sensory Bins
Fill a bin with dry rice, beans, kinetic sand, or even shaving cream. Hide small toys or objects inside for your child to find. Add scoops and tongs for fine motor practice.
Puzzle Piece Hide-and-Seek
Hide pieces of a simple puzzle around the room or house, and let your child find them and bring them back to complete the puzzle. This combines movement with problem-solving and visual scanning.
Freeze Dance or Animal Moves Game
Turn on some music and dance together. Try pausing the music and calling out animal movements like “crab walk,” “frog jump,” or “slither like a snake.”
Kitchen Helpers
Let kids help with simple meal prep like washing fruits, stirring batter, or kneading dough. This builds coordination and gives them a sense of responsibility.
If you’re looking for some additional open-ended toys or more ideas for sensory play activities, check out our shop page!
Tips for Setting Screen Time Boundaries
Create a daily rhythm: Build in consistent times for play, outdoor movement, quiet time, and screen use. Kids thrive on routine!
Use visuals: A picture schedule or visual timer can help your child know what to expect and transition more easily from screens to other activities.
Be a model: Let your child see you taking screen breaks, reading a book, or enjoying outdoor time.
Make it collaborative: Let your child help choose activities from an “activity menu” or activity jar each day.
Summer is the perfect time to encourage whole-body play, creativity, and connection. By finding a healthy balance between screen time and sensory-rich activities, you’ll be helping your child build critical developmental skills—and create memories that last.
As always, if you have questions about your child’s sensory needs or development, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our pediatric therapists at All Together Wellness. We also invite you to check out our upcoming summer groups—designed to support sensory, motor, and social development for children ages 3-6 in a fun, engaging environment. Learn more about them and register below!