When temperatures drop, kids begin spending much more time indoors and less time being active. The more time kids spend indoors, the more time they are likely to spend in front of the television.

Did you know that kids spend an average of about five hours per day watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet? This means that over the course of a year they spend more time in front of a screen than in school. These figures are a drastic difference from the no more than two hours of screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This screen time can have a toll on your kids’ health. Children who watch more than five hours of TV per day are more than four times as likely to be overweight, compared to children who watch less than two hours per day. Overweight children have an increased risk for several many preventable health problems.

Tips for Reducing Screen Time

• Turn off the TV during meals, this provides a perfect opportunity to catch up as a family.
• Keep computers, TVs, and video game consoles in family living areas.
• Don’t reward children with screen time.
• Have screen-free days and encourage healthy activities.

What You Can Do Instead

• Get involved in organized youth sports programs – check out our website to learn more about current programs.
• Exercise as a family by taking walks, riding bikes, or playing sports or active games together.
• Do something active every day.
• Set up play dates.
• If you need some down-time, encourage children to read, listen to music, write a story, draw, or create an art project.

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