By Jennifer Stein

As parents, we all know how the Shrinking Recess Window affects our kids—less movement during the school year can take a toll on their focus, mental health, and creativity. With summer vacation around the corner, we’re given a golden opportunity to reset, recharge, and reintroduce the power of PLAY.

But here’s the truth: that opportunity often gets buried under hours of YouTube, video games, and passive scrolling. I get it—I’ve been there. But this summer? Let’s flip the script and make it one to remember.

Screen Time Is Easy. But It’s Not Recharging.

Sure, summer should be relaxing. But that doesn’t mean zoning out on screens all day. While devices may buy us a few quiet moments, they don’t offer the deep, brain-boosting benefits of active movement or creative exploration.

In fact, studies show that excessive screen time can lead to:

⏳ Shorter attention spans

😩 Increased stress and anxiety

😤 Mood swings and emotional outbursts

So while screens might seem like the easier choice in the moment, they can actually make things harder in the long run.

Play Is the Power Source Kids Need

 The antidote to screentime overload? Play. Especially the kind that’s open-ended, active, and child-led. The kind that gets hearts racing, imaginations firing, and laughter echoing outside.

Think back to your own childhood summers. Your best memories probably didn’t involve a screen. They involved:

• Running through sprinklers
• Riding bikes with friends
• Playing kickball in the street
• Building blanket forts on rainy days

When kids move, explore, build, and imagine, they’re not just “staying busy”—they’re growing stronger, kinder, and more creative.

Make Movement and Creativity a Daily Habit

Here are a few simple ways to reclaim your summer from screentime:

• Designate Daily Play Windows
  Block off screen-free time each day for active or outdoor play. Make it a non-negotiable rhythm.
• Create Invitations to Play
  Set out Blue Blocks, loose parts, sidewalk chalk, or even a bucket of water—anything that sparks curiosity.
  (Need rainy day ideas? Check out our Kid Powered Activities for inspiration!)
• Embrace “I’m Bored”
  Boredom isn’t the enemy—it’s the gateway to imagination. Let your kids sit in it and see what they create.
• Join the Fun
  Don’t just supervise—jump in! Build something, race around, or make up a silly game. It’s good for all of you.

Stick With It

 Real talk: It won’t always be easy. Screens are addictive—and walking away from them can come with some pushback. But stay the course. When you give your kids space and time to rediscover play, you’ll start seeing the shift:

✨ More creativity
💪 Fewer meltdowns
😊 Genuine, unplugged joy

We can’t promise zero tantrums (no one can), but we can promise fewer of them.

Kids were made to play. It’s what they’ve always been meant to do.

One Block at a Time

At Imagination Playground, we believe healthy habits are built one block at a time. Whether it’s a backyard fort, a living room castle, or a Blue Block obstacle course, every moment of movement matters.

Let’s give our kids the summer they deserve—full of joy, full of energy, and full of PLAY.