Why We Do Screen-Free June (And Why You Might Love It Too)

As many of you know, me and the girls just went to Traverse City, Michigan and had a blast as usual! It was such a fun reward for a challenge we’ve taken on the past couple of summers: Screen-Free June.

 

And honestly? It’s totally changed our family in the best way. Whether you go all in or just take baby steps, I wanted to share why we love it and how it’s totally doable (even for busy parents who wish they were crunchier than they actually are 😉).

 

How It Started: From “Just for Road Trips” to a Daily Battle

 

Why We Decided to Try Screen-Free June

 

The Challenge That Turned It Into a Family Win

 

Screen-Free Doesn’t Have to Mean Boring

 

How This Impacts Sleep (and Why It’s Worth Trying)

 

You Don’t Have to Go All In to Make a Change

 

 

 

 

How It Started: From “Just for Road Trips” to a Daily Battle

 

A couple of years ago, we got iPads “just for road trips”… and if you’ve ever said that to yourself, you already know where this is going. Pretty soon, those screens weren’t just for long car rides…they were becoming part of our everyday rhythm. And not in a good way.

 

We had four iPads across four kids (one of them barely worked), and it didn’t take long before the “fun” became a source of constant tension. Fighting over chargers, arguing about what to watch, sneaking extra time, and getting mad when it was taken away. It just wasn’t worth it.

 

And I’ll be real with you: while screen time felt like a break for me, it was actually making parenting harder. The kids were more irritable, they listened less, and their ability to play independently just…disappeared. Screens had become a crutch for all of us.

 

 

Why We Decided to Try Screen-Free June

 

I’m not a psycho about this and I’m definitely not here to shame anyone. I love mental health, I’m all for realistic parenting, and I truly wish I were crunchier than I actually am. But I will say this—going screen-free for one month has completely transformed our family dynamic.

 

We wanted to try something that felt like a reset, not a punishment. Just a break from the constant hum of screens and a chance to see what would happen if we leaned into boredom, creativity, and connection.

 

And what happened surprised us.

 

Within days of starting our first Screen-Free June, the shift in our home was tangible. The kids were bickering less. They were actually playing together. They rediscovered toys and games we hadn’t touched in months. And I realized that I wasn’t yelling nearly as much.

 

It felt like we were breathing again.

 

 

 

 

The Challenge That Turned It Into a Family Win

 

Now, let’s be honest—if I had just stood up and said “No screens for 30 days!” I probably would’ve had a full-blown rebellion on my hands. That’s why we turned it into a family challenge complete with rewards, buy-in, and teamwork.

 

Here’s what we did:

 

• If we could stick to our screen-free goal for the whole month of June, we’d take a special trip to visit family in Michigan.
• Plus, each kid would get $100 to put toward a family activity of their choice—things we could all do together, like kayaking, mini golf, or visiting a zoo.

Framing it as a challenge made all the difference. The kids weren’t being punished—they were working toward something. It gave us a reason to cheer each other on, celebrate little milestones, and laugh when things got tough. We even made a chart to track our progress, and that visual was a big motivator.

 

 

Screen-Free Doesn’t Have to Mean Boring

 

One of the biggest misconceptions about going screen-free is that your kids are going to be bored out of their minds. And guess what? They will be bored. That’s kind of the point.

 

Because here’s the thing: boredom is actually so good for our kids. It’s where creativity lives. It’s how they learn to solve problems, use their imagination, and engage with the world around them. If kids never get the chance to be bored, they never get the chance to be creative.

 

We stocked up on craft supplies, pulled old board games out of the closet, and got outside as much as possible.

 

Here are some of our absolute favorite screen-free activities:

 

• 🌳 Nature scavenger hunts
• 🎨 Painting with watercolors in the backyard
• 🧩 Puzzle challenges (timed for fun!)
• 🪡 Friendship bracelet stations
• 🪵 Fort-building with pillows, blankets, and fairy lights
• 📚 Library trips and summer reading bingo
• 🧺 Backyard picnics (even if it’s just PB&J)
• 💦 Water balloon toss or sponge relay
• 🎲 Board game tournaments with prizes
• 🧁 Baking something new (and messy) together
• 📝 Creating a summer bucket list and checking things off

 

And honestly? Since going screen-free, the amount of reading my kids do has increased a thousand percent. I’m not exaggerating. Books are their go-to now. I’ll walk into a room and find one of them curled up with a novel instead of begging for a device, and it feels like magic.

 

 

 

 

How This Impacts Sleep (and Why It’s Worth Trying)

 

Because I talk about sleep all the time, I can’t leave this out: screen-free days lead to better sleep.

 

Screens—especially in the afternoon or evening—can mess with our kids’ ability to wind down. Once we removed that stimulation, bedtime became smoother. The girls were calmer, transitions felt easier, and the whole evening vibe shifted. Less whining, more connection.

 

If your sleep routines are a little chaotic, this might be a really simple (and free!) place to start.

 

You Don’t Have to Go All In to Make a Change

 

Maybe you’re not ready to ditch screens for an entire month. That’s okay! You can still experience the benefits of screen-free time by finding what works for your family.

 

Here are a few mini-challenges to try:

 

• One screen-free weekend
• No screens after 5 p.m. on weekdays
• A family “Tech-Free Tuesday”
• Replace screen time with family read-alouds or outdoor time

 

You don’t have to go all in to make a change. Even small steps add up.

 

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about creating more space for the things that matter—connection, creativity, and presence. And the truth is, once we started, we realized just how much we weren’t missing the screens.

 

Now, we don’t do a full-screen detox year-round, but our use has gone way down. And it’s made everything feel more manageable, more peaceful, and more fun.

 

 

 

 

Recap on Why We Do Screen-Free June

 

If you’re on the fence about trying a screen-free summer (or week, or weekend), consider this your sign. It’s doable. It’s worth it. And it might just change your family in ways you didn’t expect.

 

Make it fun. Make it a challenge. Reward yourselves. And remember—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.

 

10/10 recommend. 💛