The average American teen spends around 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen, not including schoolwork. As devices dominate more of our everyday lives, quality time together as a family can start to feel like a distant memory. But summer is the perfect time to reset, unplug, and rediscover what really matters. With screen-free summer activities, you and your family can soak up the sunshine, get out in the backyard, and enjoy making deeper, longer-lasting memories.
The Benefits of a Screen-Free Summer
Today’s kids, and, if we’re being honest, adults too, are more digitally connected than ever. Between school, work, entertainment, and social media, screens occupy a huge portion of our daily lives. That’s why it’s so important to consciously step away from our devices, even for a few hours, to enjoy what the world around us has to offer.
Dedicating time to screen-free summer activities doesn’t mean you have to give up your phone entirely. It’s just a way to rediscover an appreciation for how we as humans can bond, move, and explore together.
Even unplugging for a brief moment each day can help families reconnect with one another.
Benefits of Unplugging with the Family
According to Northwestern University Health Sciences and several other peer-reviewed studies, there are a few main benefits of unplugging with your family.
- Encourages more physical activity. It’s much easier to play and explore when we aren’t tethered to our phones.
- Promotes creativity and imaginative play, especially arts and crafts.
- Reduces stress and overstimulation. The fewer notifications you have to worry about, the more peace and quiet you can enjoy.
- Promotes better attention span and focus. The more uninterrupted time you can spend doing a single activity, the better you become at enjoying sustained engagement.)
- Teaches better communication skills. Face-to-face interactions without distractions are few and far between these days. Screen-free activities force us to connect with one another.
- Supports healthier routines and habits. Consistent phone use can hurt our sleep patterns and stop us from truly enjoying our time spent outdoors.
- Encourages appreciation of nature. It’s hard to take in your surroundings when you’re looking down at your phone. You might not even realize how many things in your neighborhood you’ve never noticed before!
- Provides mental reset. Humans need space to breathe. Constant stimulation hinders our ability to breathe and reflect, two actions so important in a world as crazy as the one we live in today.
Make Your Screen-Free Summer Count with Overland
Overland Summers is a phone-free summer camp that’s built on the belief that the best growth happens off-screen.
With small group adventures focused on nature, challenge, and community, our trips help young people rediscover what matters. Get in touch with us to learn more about our programs and why our summer camps are so beneficial.
So, what are the best screen-free summer things that your child can do?
- Try a Summer Program: Whether it’s a day camp or a sleepaway adventure like Overland Summers, camps are the ultimate way for kids to grow, make new friends, and live fully in the moment—without a phone in sight.
- Get Outside and Move: Take a walk through the woods, go for a bike ride, or just turn the backyard into your own Olympic arena. Movement gets everyone laughing and feeling good—no screens needed.
- Make a Splash: Hit the lake, dive into the pool, or run through the sprinkler. Water has a way of washing away stress and pulling kids into the present moment.
- Look Up: Kite flying on a breezy day or stargazing after dark reminds us that there’s always more to see when we take time to look up.
- Make Something With Your Hands: Arts and crafts, sidewalk chalk, even building a fort—creating something from scratch feels good. And doing it together? Even better.
- Play Old-School Games: Think scavenger hunts, tag, or capture the flag. These timeless activities aren’t just fun—they build teamwork, confidence, and some unforgettable memories.
So, let’s take a closer look at how to make the most of a screen-free summer.
1. Try a Summer Adventure Camp
One of the best ways to kick off a screen-free summer is by signing up for an adventure summer camp or program. Being away at camp means real friendships, outdoor challenges, and confidence-building adventures. It’s the kind of screen-free summer that sticks with them long after it’s over. Camps like Overland Summers offer kids the chance to connect, explore, and grow—all without the glow of a screen. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide on how to choose the right teen summer hiking trips.
A few ways to dive into summer programs:
- Choose an overnight adventure camp that builds independence and confidence
- Look for a nature-immersion camp focused on hiking, wilderness skills, or ecology
- Try a creativity-centered camp offering writing, music, or visual arts unplugged
- Check out local specialty camps for everything from sailing to outdoor cooking
There are many different types of summer camps that you can choose from, including adventure camps, music, sports, and more!
2. Get Outside and Move
Movement fuels imagination. Whether it’s a hike through the woods or a backyard game of tag, getting outside helps kids reset, recharge, and enjoy the moment. It’s not about structure—just space to roam and permission to play.
Easy ways to get moving outdoors:
- Go for a family hike or nature walk
- Host backyard relay races or mini Olympics
- Bike through a new part of town or a trail
- Play soccer, frisbee, or tag at the park
- Walk to a farmers market or outdoor concert
3. Make a Splash
Water play is pure magic. It brings out the laughter, lowers the temperature, and reminds us that joy doesn’t need a power button. Whether it’s the ocean or the garden hose, kids find freedom when they’re wet, messy, and in the moment.
Here are a few ways to make a splash:
- Throw a backyard pool party
- Break out the sprinkler or slip-n-slide
- Organize a water balloon fight
- Plan a lake or beach afternoon
4. Look Up
Sometimes the best way to reconnect is to lie on your back and look up. Watching the stars, clouds, or a kite overhead slows the pace of summer and opens up space for wonder and curiosity—no screens required.
Ideas for looking up and slowing down:
- Watch a meteor shower or full moon rise
- Fly kites at the beach or in a park
- Spot constellations with a printed star map
- Have a “no screens after sunset” family night
- Tell stories or share wishes under the stars
5. Make Something With Your Hands
Creating something from scratch is deeply satisfying. Whether it’s messy crafts or backyard building projects, hands-on activities help kids tap into their creativity and focus in ways no device can.
Get hands-on with these creative ideas:
- Set up an outdoor art station
- Learn to cook or bake your favorite treats
- Build a fort or treehouse from found materials
- Make friendship bracelets or nature collages
- Create DIY bird feeders or fairy houses
- Try tie-dye with old shirts or pillowcases
6. Play “Old-School” Games
Old-school games still have serious staying power. They spark connection, teamwork, and laughs—everything that makes summer memorable. All it takes is some space, a few ground rules, and a little imagination.
Bring back the classics with these ideas:
- Organize a backyard scavenger hunt
- Play capture the flag with neighbors or friends
- Have a flashlight tag night after dark
- Revisit red rover, freeze tag, or Simon says
- Build a family obstacle course or “spy” mission
FAQs about Screen-Free Summer
How to do a screen-free summer?
To enjoy a screen-free summer, plan outdoor activities that promote connection with nature and foster personal growth. From hiking and biking to stargazing and outdoor team-building challenges, the possibilities for adventure are endless! Encourage your kids or teens to participate in arts and crafts, play games, and even organize a treasure hunt or outdoor survival skills training.
How to limit screen time during summer?
Establishing clear limits is essential for reducing screen time. Establish a family screen schedule that includes device-free periods, such as during meals or before bedtime. Encourage physical activities and hobbies, and be a role model by limiting your own screen usage. You can also introduce a reward system where screen time is earned after completing outdoor activities or chores.
How to pass time without screens?
There are countless fun ways to pass time without screens. Organize a scavenger hunt, host a water balloon fight, or make friendship bracelets. You can also dive into creative activities like tie-dyeing, building a birdhouse, or playing outdoor sports. With just a little imagination, you’ll quickly realize how much fun there is to be had without a device in sight!
What is a screen-free day?
A screen-free day is a day where you intentionally disconnect from all digital devices like phones, tablets, and computers. It’s an opportunity to unplug, spend time with loved ones, and focus on real-world interactions and activities. Whether it’s hiking, cooking a meal together, or stargazing, a screen-free day offers the chance to create memories without distractions.
What is the meaning of screen-free?
Screen-free refers to the absence of electronic screens in daily life. It means disconnecting from devices like phones, computers, TVs, and tablets to focus on activities that don’t involve technology. Being screen-free encourages more face-to-face interaction, outdoor play, and creative exploration, promoting healthier habits and deeper connections.
Making Memories That Last
Take a moment to reflect on some of your favorite summer memories. We guarantee they weren’t made in front of a screen. They’re made at the beach, around the table in your backyard, and in the middle of an epic water balloon fight at the park.
It’s amazing how powerful screen-free moments can be. They give us a chance to slow down, laugh with one another, and connect on a deeper level.
If you want to take the idea of a phone-free summer even further, see what our unplugged summer camp at Overland Summers has to offer!
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our screen-free travel programs designed to inspire, challenge, and bring people together.
