5 Tips to Get Kids Off Electronics
27 Mar, 2025
In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine a childhood without smartphones, video games, and streaming services. As technology continues to evolve, it becomes a significant part of our children’s daily lives. While electronics can offer educational benefits and entertainment, it’s easy to forget the essential value of the great outdoors. Encouraging kids to take a break from screens and step outside can help them develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Smiles and laughter are very easy to find in groups of kids playing outside. With the right tools, any outdoor experience can be exciting, educational, and full of memories that will last a lifetime. So, how can we help kids disconnect from electronics and reconnect with nature? Here are some tips to get them excited about the outdoors.
Tip #1 – Make Outdoor Activities Fun and Engaging
The key to getting kids outdoors is to make the experience fun. Electronics are designed to captivate their attention, so you need to offer something just as thrilling in the real world. Plan activities that are engaging and interactive, like hiking, mountain biking, or a scavenger hunt. Even something as simple as a nature walk can be transformed into an adventure if you turn it into a game or challenge. For instance, take a notebook along and encourage your kids to write down or sketch what they see. Look for specific plants, animals, or landmarks. By turning the outdoors into a treasure hunt, you’ll help spark their curiosity and make the experience exciting.
Pro Tip – Treasure hunts
Kids of all ages find treasure hunts exciting whether they admit it or not. There are treasure hunting apps that take the burden of setting up the treasure hunts. Geocaching for example is a trendy app that created a community of users who hide and locate real treasures. This is a fun way to crossover between electronics and real life experiences that is easy to set up and works for all ages (Even and specially teenagers).
Tip #2 – Get the Whole Family Involved
Parents are their kids’ heroes. So, if you want to get your kids outside, you need to set the tone. Plan family outings that focus on outdoor activities, such as a weekend camping trip or a visit to a national park, daddy daughter dates. By making outdoors a family affair, your kids will understand that spending time in nature is a priority.
Find an outdoor activity that is fun for both parents and children that is easy to set up and do regularly where you live. Things like camping, fishing, hiking, kayaking or canoeing, surfing, stargazing, nature photography, archery. Even if you think your child’s personality is very different to yours, there will be an activity that you both enjoy.
It’s a great opportunity to bond as a family and create memories. It’s not just about getting them away from screens but showing them the benefits of time spent with loved ones in nature. Check out the article “5 Tips for Overlanding with Family”.
Tip #3 – Be Prepared with the right tools
The outdoor experience needs to be comfortable and safe. You cannot control the weather, wildlife, and the potential dangers of the outdoors but you can certainly be aware and prepared to face them.
Hiking in the rainforest for example can be a great experience if you have proper waterproof clothes and shoes, mosquito repellent, but without these the experience can be frustrating, even painful causing your child not to want to do it again.
Being prepared involves what you do before and after the activity as well. Rest and hydration are basic things that need to be planned to make outdoor activities enjoyable. Camping on a rooftop tent is a way to get closer to many fun outdoor activities and get proper rest. Sleeping outside of the comfort of your child’s bedroom for the first time can be exciting and scarry. If you can get your children to love camping chances are that they will be much more inclined to do many other outdoor activities. See article “11 Essential rooftop tent accessories to improve your car camping setup”.
Tip #4 – Let Them Have Their Own Outdoor Gear
A great way to foster independence and excitement is by letting kids choose their own outdoor gear. Whether it’s a sleeping bag, hiking boots, their own cooking utensils, or a backpack, involving them in selecting their gear gives them a sense of ownership.
Get your kids involved but not forced on the setting up of the equipment. When they feel like their gear is theirs, they’re more likely to look forward to the next adventure.
Tip #5 – Start Small and Emphasize Adventure
Children naturally love to explore. As parents, it’s essential to tap into this sense of wonder and adventure. The wilderness is full of opportunities for discovery, whether it’s a hidden waterfall, an animal track, or an unusual rock formation. Encourage your children to explore, ask questions, and imagine the stories behind what they find.
Trying to get a 3-year-old to do a 5 mile trail hike if both are not used to it would be a terrible experience for both. Start with smaller trips closer to home with the only objective of getting them excited about being outdoors and spending time with you and nature. Then progress to more challenging adventures.
Tip #6 – Introduce Them to Sustainable Practices
Teaching kids the importance of nature conservation can add a valuable educational aspect to outdoor experiences. Encourage your kids to practice Leave No Trace principles, pick up litter, and learn about local ecosystems. By instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment, you help them build a lifelong respect for nature.
Tip #7 – Lead by Example
Children often mirror their parents’ behaviors. If they see you enjoying the outdoors, they’ll be more likely to follow suit. Keep a positive attitude turning any part of the experience to a teachable and bonding moment. Plan weekend getaways, outdoor hikes, or even backyard adventures, and let your kids see how much you enjoy being in nature. This way, they’ll begin to associate outdoor time with fun, excitement, and relaxation.
The world is full of endless adventures, and the best memories are often made outside the house. While electronics have a place in our lives, there’s no substitute for the experiences and life lessons that come from spending time in nature. By helping kids unplug and embrace the great outdoors, you’ll be giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.
Let us know about great ways to get kids involved in outdoor activities
We are always interested in hearing from our community. If you have any pictures, videos, or stories from your family adventures, please share them with us. It can help other families as we update this post!