Play Time vs Screen Time: Encouraging an Active Childhood
Updated on: September 19, 2023
For contemporary children so often, playtime is something that takes place on a screen rather than outside. It’s so easy to pop a device in a toddler’s hand or forget children are playing on gadgets whilst we are busy with other things.
Yet constantly swapping play time for screen time can have a detrimental effect on children’s development.
From social skills to imaginative play, motor skills and reasoning, when children are left to play on screens they can miss out on important areas of development. One of the key elements is health.
Aside from a Wii or VR, when children play on electronic devices, they’re immobile so the body is missing out on vital exercise.
Why Active Play Is Important
According to the Daily Mail, the average child spends four hours a day on gadgets. This figure is a 50% increase since 2020.
When we swap gadgets for active play children can improve their:
- muscle and bone strength
- balance
- co-ordination
- self esteem
- concentration
- confidence
- social skills
- sleep patterns
and more.
Meanwhile, an over-use of electronic devices can put children at a greater risk of obesity and developing type 2 diabetes.
The NHS recommends children under 5 should get at least 3 hours of activity a day whilst 5-18s need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise.
How To Encourage an Active Childhood
1. Start Young
The earlier we help children build good habits, the more likely they are to stick with them for life so get children active as young as possible.
2. Keep It Fun
Ensure the activity is something fun which the child wants to do so active play doesn’t feel like a chore and children remain motivated.
3. Build On Interests
Organised activities which build on children’s personal interests can lead children to develop new talents and strengths.
4. Toddlers
Parents of toddlers are often unsure what active play should mean for them. Beyond play equipment, trikes, ball play and balance bikes are all great ways for young children to enjoy physical activity.
5. Teenagers
Adolescence is also a tricky time. Suggesting children join after-school clubs or local sports groups can help to build their self-esteem, make new friends, and keep children healthy.
6. Schools
For school playgrounds, our playground markings are a brilliant way to inspire children to engage in physical activity.
From traditional playground games such as hopscotch, to ball games like four square and innovative markings, such as our Dance with Me Stations, there are lots of fun and educational designs to choose from. Browse playground markings
7. Plan
It’s a good idea to timetable physical activity to ensure it gets done. It can be useful to spread the 60 minutes across a longer time period, so children do smaller intervals of activity. For example, two lots of 30 minutes.
8. Walking
It’s easy to feel pressured to over-complicate physical activity and forget the benefits of walking around. According to the NHS, even engaging in a brisk 10-minute walk can be beneficial for your health.
The Arthritis Foundation suggests walking can help to prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart and increase your heart rate.
From getting more endorphins and oxygen into the body to building muscle strength, it’s a great idea to build walking into the school day.
Choose walks that are interesting, so children have plenty to see. You could even add in time for children to stop and explore the outdoor space.
It doesn’t have to be much. A tree with leaves that are changing colour or conkers on the floor can provide lots to interest children.
Talk to other parents and share the same routes to create a walking bus. A walking bus is like a carpool so parents can take it in turns to walk their child to school along with other parents’ children.
Find fun playground markings for your outdoor space now.
Jess Sparks
Jess is deeply committed to supporting our mission of positively impacting UK outdoor play environments to promote healthy lifestyles in children.
With a CIM Level 6 Diploma in Sustainable Marketing, Jess channels her passion for sustainability into her marketing role, using her skills to promote eco-conscious practices and raise awareness for our initiatives.
Jess’ experience within the industry is instrumental in driving engagement and supporting connections with those who require ultra-durable, high-grade playground markings both locally and internationally.