In early May, attendees gathered at Crossroads at Big Creek to listen to motivational speaker Percy Brown Jr. who discussed screen time awareness and the mental health impacts of excessive use. After the event, many parents inquired about ways to keep their children active and off of technology, and the United Way recognizes these goals and has several fantastic recommendations to keep children engaged.
“When parents say they want to get their kids off screens, it’s definitely a challenge,” said Stephanie Short, the Community Impact Coordinator for the United Way of Door County, “we have a saying of more green time, less screen time.”
Short says there are many exciting ways to encourage children to turn off the tablets and to divert their interest into something else fun, educational, and entertaining - and she has some ideas for you!
Get Out & Attend Community Events
Getting out within the community is beneficial for the whole family and not only is it enjoyable, but it inspires socialization and bonding.
Short also suggests visiting the local library and snuggling up with a good book or borrowing a game. Most libraries in Door County also have a free story time which can stir up a child’s imagination. The library is also an advocate for screen-free time and they offer free rentable passes to places in the community like Door County Maritime Museum and Wisconsin State Parks.
Explore, Enjoy & Embrace Nature
Families in Door County are surrounded by the beauty of the peninsula which includes endless spots to enjoy nature. Whether you visit the beach to play in the sand, go on a hike, or take a day trip as a family, there is so much to see and do.
“We do have 15 Land Trust Trails which are excellent,” added Short, “four of them are even on Washington Island, which families and kids can explore at their own pace.”
Alongside activities that lead you on an adventure, Short also recommends gardening. Getting children interested in planting can encourage a positive relationship with nature throughout their lives and of course, growing their own fruits and vegetables is a great skill to acquire. The United Way of Door County strives to instill this passion and this year they will be distributing 120 Garden Kits to eligible families across their programs that contain soil, gardening tools and supplies, and a collection of seeds to grow their garden. The Door County Library also has a free seed library where families can pick their own flowers and produce to start their own garden.
When it comes to limiting screen time, Short's biggest message is for adults to set a good example for their children and to stay committed to lessening screen time.
“Being intentional when you’re doing these types of activities is to, you know, really point out or try to make these literally screen-free,” Short advises, “it can be hard, but even putting away screens for a little bit - every bit counts.”
