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It starts the same way in so many households. One child on a tablet. Another scrolling through TikTok. Dad half-listened while checking emails. Mom cooking with the TV on in the background. Everyone under the same roof but somehow, not really together. This is where the need for family activities to reduce screen time becomes so clear.
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The challenge of finding family activities to reduce screen time
In a world where screens have quietly taken center stage, many Vietnamese families, mine included, are beginning to long for something different. Not fancier holidays or bigger plans. Just space, presence, and time spent looking up, not down. This is where family activities to reduce screen time come in a gentle return to something our grandparents understood instinctively: time outdoors brings us back to each other.
Starting small: how simple outings can reduce screen time
I started small. An early picnic breakfast by the lake near our apartment in Hanoi was one of our first family activities to reduce screen time. We brought sticky rice and boiled eggs wrapped in banana leaves.
No phones allowed. Just birdsong, a thermos of tea, and the slow joy of watching the morning unfold. The kids grumbled at first. But by the end, they were chasing dragonflies and inventing their own forest game. We came home glowing.
Since then, we’ve made “green time” a quiet family ritual. Saturday walks through the pine forests in Ba Vi. Sunday mornings riding bikes along the rice paddies in Thanh Tri. Once, we even woke up at 4:30 a.m. and drove to Dong Mo Lake for sunrise. We sat wrapped in sweaters, sipping warm soy milk, watching light creep over the water. These simple but effective family activities to reduce screen time became some of our best moments of the year.
Using technology to find family activities to reduce screen time
The beauty of family activities to reduce screen time is that they don’t need to be grand. You just need a little willingness and a little help. That’s where the ExoTrails has been a gift. As a mom, I don’t have time to spend hours planning. I use the app to find family-friendly walks near Hanoi, quiet beaches near Hoi An, or hidden picnic spots on weekends away. It filters routes by difficulty and time, so I know if it’s stroller-friendly or manageable for little legs. It’s not about performance, it’s about presence.
Why these activities do more than just reduce screen time
Nature gives us the reset we didn’t know we needed. It slows us down, softens our tone, and opens space for the kinds of conversations that don’t happen at the dinner table. This is one of the most powerful family activities to reduce screen time. My son once told me, halfway up a forest trail, that he wished we could live “like this all the time.” Not because of the trees, but because of the togetherness.
And here’s the beautiful secret: when we step outside, we don’t just unplug from screens, we reconnect with each other. With ourselves. With silence. With laughter. So no, you don’t have to be a nature expert. You don’t need gear or a guide. You just need a blanket, some snacks, and a little courage to say: let’s go outside today.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best family activities to reduce screen time aren’t complicated or expensive. They are simple, intentional choices to trade digital noise for natural peace. By starting with a small walk or a simple picnic, you’re not just creating a new habit; you’re building a foundation of shared memories and genuine connection that will last far longer than any battery.
Ready to trade screen time for green time? Join our community of explorers in the ExoTrails Facebook Group and follow the ExoTrails Fanpage for daily inspiration and trail tips!
FAQs
How can I get my family to spend less time on screens?
Start by introducing short, fun outdoor activities like picnics or scavenger hunts, and lead by example by putting your own phone away.
What are good, simple outdoor activities for kids?
Simple activities like a walk in a local park, a picnic, biking on a flat path, or collecting interesting leaves and rocks are perfect for kids.
Why is spending time in nature important for families?
It reduces stress, encourages face-to-face communication, and helps build strong family bonds away from the distractions of daily life and technology.
How do you start a family tradition of being outdoors?
Begin with a consistent, low-pressure activity, like a “Saturday Morning Walk” or a “First Sunday Picnic,” and let it become a cherished ritual.
What is ‘green time’ and what are its benefits?
‘Green time’ is time spent outdoors in nature, which is proven to boost mental health, improve focus, and foster real-world connections.
