Parents: Learn How to Use Bingo to Win the Summer Screen Battle
Summer is here—longer days, slower mornings, and the gift of not having to hustle everyone out the door by 8 a.m. But as every parent knows, more free time often brings a familiar challenge: screens.
I’m right there with you in the screen time struggle. The allure of iPads, games, and endless videos is real, especially when routines loosen and boredom creeps in. So this summer, I decided to do something different. I recently created a Summer BINGO board for my middle schooler—and we're giving it a try this week.
Step One: Talk About It
Before we even created the board, we had a conversation. I reminded my son (and myself) that screens are intentionally addictive—they're designed to keep us scrolling, watching, and clicking. That’s not a moral failure on his part; it’s just how these tools are built.
If your kids are old enough to understand, talk openly with them about this. And when they push limits or sneak in extra time (as they sometimes will), take a breath. Instead of jumping to frustration, remind yourself this isn’t just a discipline issue—it’s a chance to teach.
Also: Take a peek at your own habits. (I say this with love!) Kids are observant, and modeling mindful tech use is just as powerful as setting limits.
Step Two: Set Family Rules Together
Every family is different. What works for us might not work for you. That’s why it’s helpful to co-create your own screen time rules. Invite your child into the process. My next post will share the specific rules we landed on as a family, but the real magic was in making the plan together.
Step Three: Design Your BINGO Card
Here’s how our Summer BINGO works:
We created a weekly Bingo board filled with a mix of activities: chores, physical movement, creative time, puzzles, reading, and solo games.
Every time he completes two squares, he earns 30 minutes of screen time.
The goal is to get a BINGO every day and complete the whole board by the end of the week.
He helped choose the activities, which makes a huge difference in buy-in. We added a “one-player game” category just for him: things like Kanoodle, Rush Hour, and memory challenges like Simon. In some squares, I added a minimum time requirement (like 20 minutes) to help avoid the classic “do it for five minutes and check it off” move.
Of course, my BINGO card includes a yoga square. You can find all sorts of kid-friendly yoga videos online, or use our own Stretch & Shine Flow to get moving and grounded for the day.
Find the system that works for you and your child. If your BINGO board includes quicker or simpler activities, try adjusting the reward—maybe 15 minutes of screen time per two squares, for example. And don’t forget to set a daily total screen time limit that makes sense for your family.
Step Four: Check In and Change It Up
Each week, we will sit down and look at the board together. What did you like? What felt boring? Want to swap anything out? This makes the whole process more collaborative and keeps it from feeling like a chore chart.
And that’s the beauty of this system. It’s flexible, it’s empowering, and best of all — it’s fun.
Mindful Tweaks for Every Age and Stage
My BINGO board is designed for a middle schooler, but you can tailor one to suit any age. Just find a blank BINGO template online (there are plenty!) and fill it in with age-appropriate activities.
You may want to include yoga, breath work, or quiet mindfulness time on your board. These gentle practices are powerful tools for helping kids reset, refocus, and reconnect with themselves throughout the day. Add a square for a short breathing break—even just two minutes of belly breaths can make a difference. Another idea: a journaling square where your child writes or draws something they’re grateful for or how they’re feeling that day. And don’t forget savasana—a few peaceful minutes lying down with eyes closed, maybe with soft music or a favorite stuffed animal placed on the belly. (Sign me up for that one, too!) These quiet moments can bring calm and balance to even the most energetic summer day.
Option: No Screen Summer
Some families even choose a no-screens summer, especially with younger kids. It's a phenomenal way to establish healthy tech habits early on and encourage creativity, outdoor play, and meaningful connection. We’ll be sharing what our founder is doing with her young kiddos in a future post—so stay tuned for inspiration if you’re considering a no-screens summer yourself!
Off to a Strong Start (and Yes, He Made His Bed!)
We’re just getting started with our Summer BINGO experiment, so this is very much a work in progress. Like any new routine, it might take a little time to find our rhythm, and I fully expect we’ll need to make some tweaks along the way. I’ll be sure to report back later in the summer with what’s working well, what we’ve changed, and any surprises that pop up.
He even made his bed today without being asked, just to check off a square! For now, we’re off to a fun and intentional start—and that feels like a win.
