How Our Screen Detox Led to a Calmer, Happier Home, and a Screen-Free Summer

A few weeks ago, I started noticing something in our home—something that made me pause. Our younger kids were whinier and more argumentative than usual. It wasn’t just the normal sibling bickering or end-of-day tiredness. The whole vibe of our home had slowly shifted, and not in a good way.

I thought maybe they were just going through a phase, but after talking it over with Jesse, we both decided to try a little experiment. What would happen if we did a screen detox?

Now, before you roll your eyes or think I’m about to go on a “screens are the worst” rant, hear me out. This wasn’t about demonizing technology. It was just our family’s little experiment to see if reducing screen time would help improve the atmosphere in our home.

The Hardest Two Weeks (But So Worth It!)

I won’t sugarcoat it: the first two weeks were HARD, mainly for Jesse and me. I hadn’t realized how much we had relied on screens for that little bit of afternoon peace. That short window of calm to get something done or just take a breath felt necessary…until we gave it up.

Suddenly, it felt like the kids needed constant ideas from me on what to do. I heard “Mom, what can I do??” more times than I could count. And, of course, with more creative play came more messes. LEGO bricks on the floor, paper crafts on the table, toy bins overturned in the search for the perfect piece of their next creation. It was a little chaotic, to say the least.

But then something surprising happened. Almost overnight, the tone of our home began to change.

Less Whining, More Playing

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to see a difference so soon. But within days, the whining lessened. Arguments over silly things stopped happening so often. Mornings were smoother. Even bedtime seemed more peaceful.

Our kids don’t have iPads or access to our phones, but we did have a few daily shows that I thought were pretty harmless. I mean, what could one or two shows hurt, right?

But it wasn’t until we took them away that we saw the difference.

Their creativity, which seemed almost dormant, suddenly burst to life. They were building with LEGO, making up stories, and inventing all kinds of games. They were making ramps for their toy cars, observing bugs and playing with them for a long time, watching the clouds, and coming up with a lot of pretend play ideas!

Kierstyn and Micah even gave all their little toys “baths” in a bowl of water—for nearly an hour! I can’t remember the last time they stayed that focused on anything without a screen.

Declaring a Screen-Free Summer

After seeing the changes in their attitudes and how much more peaceful our days became, Jesse and I made a decision: we’re declaring this an (almost) Screen-Free Summer.

We’re not completely anti-screens. In fact, we’re still going to have two family movie nights a week where we watch calm, classic movies that don’t seem to have the same effect as daily TV time. There’s just something different about a slow-paced family film versus the constant bright, fast-paced shows that seem to overstimulate more than soothe.

And this isn’t a forever thing or a judgment on anyone who loves their screen time. This is just what’s working for our family right now, especially for our younger kids, and it’s been so good that I don’t see us going back to regular screens anytime soon.

More Messes, More Memories

I’m not going to lie, it takes more creativity on my end to keep the kids entertained. I’ve found myself pulling out old games, setting up art projects, and scouring the internet for new ideas. (Seriously, comment below with all your best screen-free play ideas because I’ll definitely take them!)

But here’s what I’m finding: it’s worth it. The peace, the laughter, the creativity…it’s 100% worth the extra effort and occasional mess.

I even started setting better screen boundaries for myself. I downloaded the Opal app to help me be more mindful of my own screen time. It’s been a game-changer in helping me stay present and focused on what matters most. (And it’s one big reason I’m reading fiction again and getting more sleep!!)

What About You?

Have you ever tried cutting way back on screens? If so, what did you notice? Was it hard? Was it worth it?

I’d love to hear your experience, and if you have any great screen-free activity ideas, drop them in the comments! We’ve got a whole summer ahead of us, and I’m excited to see where this screen-free journey takes us.

Here’s to more creative play, calmer days, and memories made unplugged.

Related Links:

• 50+ Frugal Screen-Free Activities for Kids
• The Hard Truths We’ve Learned from a Month of Using the Opal App
• My Word of the Year for 2025: Unplugged
• Why You Should Read Aloud to Your Kids (with Jennifer Pepito)
• Frugal Summer Activities for Kids Just $1 and Under!
• Try Opal app free for 30 days!