Raising Godly Kids When They Want a Screen-Filled Summer

Last Updated on July 4, 2025 by Andrea

When my kids were younger, I really struggled with raising godly children during a potentially screen-filled summer. With summer break and empty days stretching before them, screens seemed like their obvious choice to fill the time. Sure, we had VBS, summer camp, chores, and vacations, but day-to-day busyness was gone, and they were far too tempted to turn to screens. I found that reliable daily rhythms, better options, parental attention, and clear boundaries reduced the screen-filled summer to a time of fun and memory-making.

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Helping Your Family Stay Rooted in Faith and Connection

Summer brings long days, relaxed routines—and lots of screen time. From video games to social media, our kids have more options with screens than ever before.

While technology can be helpful (and let’s face it, a break for mom), too much screen time can disconnect our kids from real-life connection, creativity, and even their walk with God.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I fighting a losing battle with screens?”— I promise that you’re not alone.

This post will encourage and equip you to raise godly kids in a screen-filled summer—without shame, without perfection, and with a Christ-centered plan.

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The Reality of Screen Overload

Screens Are Everywhere

In today’s world, screens intrude into nearly every area of our lives. From smartphones and tablets to TVs, video games, and even school-related apps, the presence of technology is near-constant. The ever-present availability of screens makes them an easy fallback, especially during the long, unstructured days of summer. As Christian parents, we face the challenge of navigating this digital landscape without allowing it to dominate our children’s lives or distract them from meaningful growth and connection.

This biblical truth from Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The pattern of this world frequently focuses on entertainment and instant gratification, often tied to excessive screen use. As Christians, we are called to adopt a different mindset—one that prioritizes God-centered living over worldly distractions.

Screen Time Peaks in Summer

Research has shown that screen time tends to spike during the summer months, as children find themselves with more free time and fewer structured activities. Without school routines, the appeal of endless hours on devices becomes stronger. Parents may feel the pressure to allow more screen time to keep their children busy or entertained. However, this increase can lead to unintended consequences that affect their spiritual and emotional well-being.

Romans 12:2 encourages transformation—a deliberate choice to renew our minds and guide our children toward a summer filled with connection, creativity, and spiritual growth. It’s not about rejecting technology entirely but about cultivating balance and intentionality in how time is spent.

The Problems with Excessive Screen Use

While technology has its benefits, overuse can lead to several challenges that undermine a child’s overall well-being. Excessive screen time contributes to a decline in creativity, as children spend less time engaging in imaginative play or exploring their interests. It can also disrupt sleep, with the blue light from screens interfering with their natural sleep cycles. Shortened attention spans are another concern, making it harder for children to focus on tasks that require sustained effort. Perhaps most concerning is the reduction in family connection, as screens often isolate individuals rather than fostering meaningful interaction.

Romans 12:2 calls us to resist conformity to these patterns. Instead, we are called to help our children transform these habits—to shift their focus toward activities that nurture mind, body, and spirit, like time spent outdoors, reading Scripture, or creating art.

Shepherding Hearts, Not Just Managing Time

As Christian parents, our role goes beyond setting limits on screen time. We are shepherds of our children’s hearts, tasked with guiding them toward a life rooted in faith and purpose. Managing screen use is a practical challenge, but the ultimate goal is to instill values that reflect God’s love and truth. Raising kids this way requires intentionality, prayer, and a commitment to modeling Christ-like behavior in our homes.

Romans 12:2 reminds us of the importance of heart transformation—renewing not just our children’s minds, but also our own perspective as parents. It’s about creating a home environment where God’s presence is felt, priorities are aligned with His will, and screens take a backseat to relationships and spiritual growth.

Your Role as a Faith-Focused Parent

Before I delve into our role, please hear me. I am NOT condemning you if you choose to use electronics to your benefit with your kids. There were absolutely days that I let my boys play longer or at times beyond those we agreed upon so I could finish some work or make dinner. The key is that electronics are a tool and like any tool, we need to use them wisely.

As a parent, you are the gatekeeper of your home’s spiritual tone. Today’s parents have the sometimes overwhelming assignment of making sure their kids know about God, His plan for their lives, His plan for salvation, how to live a godly life, and how to have relationships that honor Him. That’s a lot of responsibility and it takes an entire lifetime to instill those values. If we let our kids get overrun by screen time, we miss valuable opportunities to share the love and purpose of God with our kids.

The role of boundaries

While I’m going to review boundaries here, know that setting screen boundaries is not about punishment—it’s about protecting space for God, growth, and relationships. We want our kids to know that there is more to life than what they see on the screen. Experience tells me, and research confirms, that when given opportunities, kids will choose activity over electronics. They just need some firm guidance to show them the alternatives.

The good news is that you don’t have to do it perfectly—just with intention and prayer. You want to have a plan in advance and know how you will implement it. You also might consider getting some friends involved with their kids. That way you are praying for each other and helping each other to keep the kids focused where they should be. By looping in your friends and the parents of our kids’ friend, you can make a plan to avoid a screen-filled summer.

God’s Word tells us to “Start children off on the way they should go…” – Proverbs 22:6. The only way they know the way to go is if we show it to them. I am certain that the world will not show our kids the holy and godly way to go. That’s up to us. So let’s get started on some strategies you can use to keep the lure of electronics at bay in your home this summer.

5 Grace-Filled Strategies to Avoid a Screen-Filled Summer

I used each of these strategies in my home when my kids were younger. While the guidelines change a bit with age, they are still helpful with my 17-year-old. And I’ve found that my older son is less apt to be on screens as much now, due in part to the boundaries we instilled when he was younger. Here are 5 practical tips to help you steer your kids away from screens as a full time activity this summer.

1. Create a Daily Rhythm (Not a Rigid Schedule)

The first step is to set natural “screen-free zones” like mornings and mealtimes. No cell phones at the table or during mealtime. Maybe you don’t want screens around during chores. Or maybe some screens are okay (like having tv show on in the background) but not allow them to be on their phone during those times. The key here is for these rhythms to focus on family life, not screens.

Next, have a simple rule: Bible before screen, chores before games, etc. This one works wonders for chore time! If kids know that they have to do chores before they can play (any kind of play) they are much more likely to get those tasks done. I also found that an engaging age-appropriate Bible study for my sons was a great way to start the day after breakfast. I didn’t expect them to do it on their own, though. My goal has never been to have my kids do everything solo. I had mentors teach me how to do Bible studies, so I teach my sons how to do them. We work together on their studies after breakfast before our day gets busy.

The rest of the day should have some semi-structured time for rest, creativity, outside time, and reading. This list works for me, but figure out what other items you want to include in your day. We won’t have kids who do those things if we aren’t clear about our expectations. That means you need to know what is important to you before you can teach it to your kids. And keep in mind that too much time on any one thing is probably not the best for anyone. Consider your child’s needs and begin there.

2. Replace Screens with Something Better

Contrary to popular belief, kids don’t need constant entertainment—but they do need options. No one wants to sit around twiddling their thumbs. Options are good!

When I was growing up, if I said, “I’m bored!” my mom was quick to whip out a list of less desirable household chores to do. And I had to finish at least one before I could find something fun to do. I implemented this with my kids and only ever heard they were bored twice – once for each child. They quickly learned to find things to do if it was not time for electronics.

Ideas for you:

Here are some ideas for non-screen activities to connect in meaningful ways: family devotions, summer service projects, outdoor faith scavenger hunt, board games, baking with Scripture themes. These are in addition to the ideas above like resting, art projects (Pinterest is great for this), playing outside with our without friends, and reading.

Rest is always important. They don’t have to sleep, but down time is good for our bodies and kids don’t get much of this during the school year. Teach them to take advantage of build-in rest days.

There are art projects for every interest level and age. Younger kids might enjoy sidewalk chalk while older kids might have fun with acrylic paint pouring. There are plenty of YouTube videos about learning to sketch or draw (yes, I know that involves a screen…) or just give kids sketch paper and pencils and send them outside. Praise their efforts! This is more about being creative than creating an artist.

Walmart and Target have plenty of outside toys, so you won’t have to spend much, if anything. Call somem friend and invite them over. If you are blessed to live near a park, lake, or beach, make an outing with friends. Pack a lunch and some blow up balls or a frisbee and go have fun.

Reading is often overlooked these days. I find the key is to figure out what your kids like to read. My oldest always preferred fiction while my youngest has always leaned toward nonfiction. Both are great and will teach different things. It’s the act of reading that is important.

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3. Use Screen Time as a Teaching Tool

There are lots of ways to use screens to your advantage.

Watch a Bible-themed movie and discuss it. Older kids and teens may really enjoy The Chosen (can also be watched on The Chosen app and on Amazon Prime Video). I love this series and it’s easy to connect back to Scripture. Not sure how to do that on your own? They make it easy with studies and devotions you can buy to accompany the shows. Watch the show and do the studies together. Remember that there are no “rules” about doing a study. I often just talk about the questions with my kids rather than making them fill out answer like school. I want to encourage conversation and relationships not school in the summer.

Turn a YouTube or Spotify worship song into a praise dance party. Even just having music on in the background helps alleviate the desire for screens in my house. Turn it up and be silly!

Does this honor God?

No matter what you do, teach discernment: help kids ask, “Does this honor God?” Sometimes we don’t like the answer to that question, and that’s okay. It’s important to know if what we are doing is something that points others to God or away from Him. There’s no judgment in the answer. If what we are doing isn’t honoring God – it just means we need to shift direction a bit. Don’t berate your kids if they are making a bad choice. Just ensure they know why it’s not the best choice and point them to a better one. If repentance is needed, guide them in prayer.

Please understand that I’m not saying kids need to walk around with their angel halos intact singing worship to God all day. Seriously, I have two boys. That was NOT the reality in our home. But we did talk about Scripture and sing worship songs. We made sure that our kids knew right from wrong and repented when they chose poorly. They needed to treat others with respect and kindness, even when they didn’t feel like it. That’s what I mean when I talk about actions that honor God.

4. Set Boundaries with Love, Not Shame

Boundaries start with making screen expectations clear and consistent. In our home that meant:

Instant reveal if we ask to see what’s on the screen. There is no screen privacy for kids in our home. They can’t swipe to click anything if we ask to see their phone/device.
We had a one-hour per day screen (video games, phone, tablet) policy in our home when the kids were little. As they’ve gotten older, we’ve extended that some. The important kye is to know what your boundaries are and be clear about them.
In our home first-person shooter games were not allowed (in our home or any friends) until they were 16 years old.
Educational games or online learning could be negotiated outside of the one-hour play time.

Be willing to adjust based on age, personality, and purpose. Kids develop over time and their needs and guidelines change. We tended to parent with a stricter focus when our kids were younger, so they learned the boundaries. As they age, we loosen the rules and boundaries to teach them to make good decisions on their own. Even now, though, at 17 and 21, they know if we ask them to get off their device, they do it immediately. Our kids know that parents are in charge, even when they get older.

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5. Model What You Want to See

My kids are now both nearly young adults (one is 17 and one is 21) but they still love their phones. Just yesterday someone made a comment about teens never being far from their phones. I pointed out that adults aren’t any better.

The point is that our parental phone habits matter. Kids notice. If we (parents) are on our phones all day or at the computer all waking hours, that’s what our kids learn, no matter how old they are.

Rather than being online so much, let them see you:

Reading your Bible
Praying without your phone
Choosing quiet time over noise
Reading a book
Resting
Being creative
Baking/cooking
Visiting in person with friends (watch what you say in front of your kids, though!)

It’s also wise to make time to play with your kids. Whether you are playing online with them (again, I would do this outside their one-hour time frame), playing board games, or football out back, make time to build memories with your kids. They’ll remember that you spent time with them, enjoying them for who they are. When we spend time with our kids making real memories, they are much less likely to want a screen-filled summer.

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Simple Scriptures to Use with Your Kids

Make time to talk about what God’s Word has to say about screen time. Instead of a screen-filled summer you can make time to focus on God. Use these verses to shape conversations about screens, choices, and time:

Psalm 101:3 – “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes…”
Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true… think about such things.”
Ephesians 5:15–16 – “Make the most of every opportunity…”
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whatever you do… do it for the glory of God.”

Make a Family Tech Plan (That Works for You)

Step 1: Decide what times are screen-free
Step 2: Choose how much screen time per day is allowed
Step 3: Choose what screen activities are within bounds and which are off limits
Step 4: Involve your kids in the process—let them help create fun alternatives
Step 5: Pray together about your choices

You can also use this simple summer tech & faith plan to track your family’s plan.

Conclusion

Screens aren’t the enemy. But too much of anything—even good things—can distract from what matters most. A screen-filled summer does not have to be your reality.

With a bit of intention and commitment of time from you, your summer can be one of rest and making memories that build a lifetime of healthy habits for your kids.

This summer, you don’t have to be perfect—you just need to be prayerful.

With God’s help, you can raise kids who love Jesus, value connection, and grow up knowing how to honor God with their time, their eyes, and their hearts.

Happy summer!

🌸 Andrea

Raising Godly Kids When They Want a Screen-Filled Summer

Helping Your Family Stay Rooted in Faith and Connection