How to Get Your Child Off Screens

“Mom, can I have more screen time?”

Sound familiar? You know they’ve already had too much, but the requests keep coming. You don’t want to cave, but you also don’t want an all-out meltdown.

What if I told you there’s a better way—one that satisfies their craving for digital stimulation without screens?

✅ Engaging
✅ Educational
✅ Parent-approved

The answer? Podcasts for kids.

With thousands of high-quality kids’ podcasts out there, it’s easier than ever to find options they’ll love. Today, I’ll show you how to make podcasts a part of your child’s routine in just 3 easy steps.

Step 1: Replace Screen Time with Podcasts

Moderation and balance are key when it comes to screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

📌 1 hour per day for kids ages 2-5
📌 2 hours per day for kids ages 6-17

But let’s be real—those limits are hard to follow.

To make it easier, start by substituting screen time with podcast time.

Why podcasts?

✅ Encourage creative play while listening
✅ Get kids moving instead of sitting
✅ Keep their eyes rested (no more screen fatigue!)
✅ Offer educational value—kids’ podcasts tend to be more enriching than TV

My Favorite Educational Kids’ Podcasts:

🎧 Wow in the World (science fun)
🎧 Who Smarted? (quirky learning)
🎧 Greeking Out (for mythology-loving kids!)

⭐ Parenting Tip: If your goal is to cut from 4 hours of screen time to 2 hours, let them know they can listen to podcasts instead. This small shift makes the transition so much easier.

👉 Payoff: By swapping some screen time for podcasts, you’re keeping screen time within healthy limits while still engaging their young minds.

Step 2: Promote Independent Listening

If your kids rely on you to entertain them, podcasts can help them become more independent.

🛑 Remember when we had boom boxes and cassette tapes?
✅ Today, kids can control their own audio experiences with Alexa or smart speakers—and not just for music!

How Podcasts Encourage Independent Play:

✔️ Kids can listen while building Legos, tidying their room, or relaxing
✔️ It feels like a digital experience without screen time
✔️ Helps extend independent play sessions (a win for busy parents!)

⭐ Parenting Tip: Set up a kid-friendly podcast station with an Alexa device, Bluetooth speaker, or even an old iPod.

👉 Payoff: Podcasts encourage independence, help kids develop focus, and free up some much-needed time for you.

💬 Engagement: What are your favorite kids' podcasts? Drop them in the comments—I reply to every one!

Step 3: Listen Together in the Car

Ever taken a road trip (or just a short drive) with tired, cranky kids? 😵‍💫

Cue the chaos:
❌ Bickering
❌ Whining
❌ Seat-kicking and sibling poking

Podcasts = Car Ride Game-Changer

🎧 Keeps kids engaged and entertained
🎧 Cuts down on bickering and boredom
🎧 Makes the car feel less like a moving prison

⭐ Parenting Tip: Download a few episodes in advance and hit play as soon as you start driving. Instant calm!

🎙 Bonus: A Fun Family Experience
Podcasts can also be a great bonding activity. Pick a fun story or science-based show and discuss it later at dinner!

👉 Payoff: Fewer distractions for you, happier kids, and a stress-free drive.

Now that you know how to use podcasts to reduce screen time, make sure you check out my next video—How to End Screen Time Battles (Without a Fight!).

Keep up the good work on your amazing parenting journey!