Finding a balance between screen time and other activities is a challenge for many parents. Screens are a natural part of everyday life, but sometimes it can feel like they take over completely.

But how do you reduce screen time without causing a fuss? The key is to not just remove the screen, but replace it with something fun and engaging . Here are some smart tricks to help your child put away their phone and instead discover the joy of drawing, creating, and playing!

Make a screen-free moment the highlight of the day

It's easy to get caught up in screens when there are no alternatives, so it's smart to make screen-free activities something to look forward to!

Here's how:

• Have a set time each day where everyone puts away their screens.
• Create a cozy corner at home where your child can sit and draw, do crafts or read.
• Try a “screen-free challenge ,” where the child is given a task to complete – draw an animal, build something with Legos, or create their own story.

Tip : In Flippy's Drawing Club you will get lots of fun ideas for creative activities that make screen-free moments even more fun.

Replace passive screen time with active creativity

Many children get stuck in front of the screen because it's easy and entertaining, but if they are given a fun alternative, it becomes much easier to opt out of the screen.

What can be done instead?

• Start a drawing challenge – draw a new figure every day!
• Create your own coloring book with your child's drawings, color together.
• Let the child make their own comic book where they come up with a story with pictures.

Best tool: Flippy Pens make it easy to create colorful and vibrant images, without any screen!

Have one screen-free day a week

Implementing a “screen-free day” may feel difficult at first, but it will be much easier if you fill the day with fun activities.

How to succeed with screen-free days:

• Designate one day a week where the whole family avoids screens.
• Make an “activity jar” with ideas that the child can draw from – draw a fantasy world, bake something delicious or play a board game.
• Join in and create – children find it more fun if adults also participate!

Read more ideas in Flippy Inspiration , where we share lots of creative tips and drawing assignments!

Use the screen as inspiration instead of entertainment

Screen time doesn't always have to be passive, sometimes it can instead inspire something creative!

Try this:

• Watch a video on how to draw something new and let your child try it out for themselves.
• Watch a documentary about animals, then draw your favorite animals and create your own fact book.
• Use your phone to take a picture of something and let your child draw it.

So, what can you watch? Check out "Draw with Alex" on YouTube and follow simple step-by-step guides.

Set up a clear routine

Having fixed times for screen time makes it easier to limit without arguing. It's not about banning, but about creating balance.

Simple screen time rules that work:

• Set a maximum limit for screen time each day.
• Have screen-free zones in your home, such as at the dinner table or in the bedroom.
• Let the child “earn” screen time by first doing something creative or active.

Bonus: Make a screen-free reward chart where your child collects points for each screen-free activity. Once they collect a certain number of points, they can get a small reward!

Screen time doesn't have to be everything

The most important thing when reducing screen time is to give your kids something fun to do instead. By encouraging drawing, crafts, and other creative activities, screen-free time becomes something to look forward to instead of a rule to be discouraged.

Try Flippy's colored pencils!

With the right colored pencils , creativity becomes both safe and fun for your child. Take a look at our selection and choose the colored pencils that suit you best – then just let your imagination flow! Whether your child is a budding artist or just loves to doodle on paper, colored pencils are a perfect way into a colorful world of play and learning.