We live in a world filled with screens — TVs in the living room, phones in our pockets, tablets on the counter, and school laptops in backpacks.
Without clear screen time rules, kids can easily spend hours with their faces glued to devices. That’s why I created a free printable screen time checklist bundle to help families set expectations and maintain balance.
This free bundle contains four pages: a summer screen time checklist, an after-school screen time checklist, and blank versions of both so you can customize them for your family.
You can download the free printables at the bottom of this post. Meanwhile, here’s what I’ll cover:
- How to use the screen time checklists
- Current screen time guidelines for kids
- How to create a screen time plan for your family
Let’s dive in!
Summer & After-School Screen Time Checklists PDFs
If you’ve spent any time on this site, you know I love charts. They set clear expectations for kids, help them know what’s expected, and create a calmer, more orderly home.
The chart that made the biggest difference for our family was the summer screen time checklist. Posting it alongside our chore charts made expectations obvious and motivated my kids to finish chores and daily tasks to earn screen time.
Kids are naturally motivated by screen time — no shame there. I, too, enjoy a good show after a long day. The point is to use screens intentionally and as a reward for responsibilities being met.
These before-screen checklists clearly list daily tasks and, importantly, include a spot to record how much screen time a child earns for completing those tasks. That keeps expectations and limits visible and consistent.
How to Use the Free Printable Screen Time Checklist Templates
The ready-made checklists include suggested daily tasks suited to many families. If your household has different routines, use the blank templates to write in the expectations that fit your kids.
If you prefer a neat, typed version rather than handwriting, there’s also an editable bundle available for purchase that lets you customize and print a professional-looking chart.
Free Printable Summer Screen Time Checklist
Summer lacks the structure of the school year, so it’s easy to let screen time stretch out. A summer screen time checklist provides structure and clear expectations so kids don’t spend entire days on devices.
The suggested summer checklist includes these daily tasks:
- Make bed
- Get dressed
- Comb or brush hair
- Brush teeth
- Clean bedroom
- Read for 20 minutes
- Pick up toys
- Finish your chores
- Play outside for 30 minutes
- Create something
- Help someone
If you want a different list, use the blank template and write in the tasks that matter to your family.
After-School Screen Time Printables
Even during the school year it’s helpful to have clear screen time rules. The after-school checklist focuses on household and self-care tasks to complete before screens are allowed.
Suggested after-school tasks include:
- Put away shoes & socks
- Put backpack away
- Clean out lunchbox
- Read for 20 minutes
- Finish any homework
- Clean bedroom
- Pick up toys
- Make bed
- Complete chores
How Much Screen Time Per Day is Healthy for Kids?
Not all screen time is the same. Educational programs and video chats with family are far different from endless toy-unboxing videos. Rather than banning screens completely, aim for balance so screen time doesn’t displace sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Current guidance from child health experts recommends:
- Infants (0–18 months): Avoid screen time except for video chats. Face-to-face interaction is crucial.
- Toddlers (18–24 months): Limit to high-quality, educational content and watch together with a caregiver.
- Preschoolers (2–5 years): Limit to about one hour per day of quality content.
- School-age children (6+ years): Balance screen use so it doesn’t interfere with sleep, activity, or face-to-face time; include educational, recreational, and social uses.
(These recommendations align closely with advice from pediatric organizations.)
How to Create a Screen Time Plan for Your Family
Researchers encourage families to create a screen time plan tailored to their needs. While limits aren’t always easy, they support children’s well-being. Try these strategies:
1. Set Clear Rules
Define when screens are allowed, how much time is permitted, and any rules for social media. Explain the reasons so kids understand the boundaries.
2. Lead by Example
Children mimic adults’ behavior. Model healthy screen habits yourself to reinforce those expectations.
3. Create Screen-Free Zones
Designate areas like the dining room or bedrooms as screen-free to promote family time and better sleep routines.
4. Use Screen Time Controls
Many devices include parental controls to limit app or device use automatically. Use these tools to help enforce limits consistently.
5. Establish Screen-Free Times
Set specific times — meals, before bedtime, or family activities — when devices are put away to encourage other activities and better sleep.
6. Encourage Other Activities
Offer appealing alternatives like outdoor play, reading, arts and crafts, board games, or sports to reduce reliance on screens.
7. Plan Fun Family Activities
Schedule outings or projects such as hikes, cooking, gardening, or local visits to create memorable, screen-free time together.
8. Teach Healthy Screen Use
Talk about balancing screen time and the effects of excessive use so children learn to make better choices themselves.
9. Communicate Openly
Have regular conversations about screen rules and listen to your kids’ perspectives to find workable solutions.
10. Monitor Content
Keep tabs on what your child accesses and ensure it’s age-appropriate and aligns with your family’s values.
11. Be Flexible
Rules are important, but occasional flexibility helps keep things realistic. Aim for long-term balance rather than perfection every day.
Download the Free Screen Time Rules Checklist Templates
You can grab the free printables using the button below. These printables are for personal use only; please share the link to this post if you’d like to recommend them to others.
Editable Summer & After-School Screen Time Checklists
If you’d rather type your tasks than handwrite them, an editable screen time checklist bundle is available that you can customize in a PDF reader. The fillable bundle includes pages for daily and seasonal checklists so you can tailor the charts to your family’s routine.
The editable bundle includes:
- Fillable daily checklist for kids
- Editable summer screen time checklist template
- Editable after-school screen time checklist template
Manage Screen Time for Your Kids With the Checklist
I hope this printable checklist helps your family as much as it helped mine. Every household is different, so adapt the templates to suit your needs. With clear expectations and consistent routines, you can help your kids enjoy screens without letting them take over the day.
You’ve got this!