Managing Screen Time and Promoting Offline Activities
Why Revisit Screen Time this November?
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They just go straight to the tablet as soon as they get home.
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It’s hard to drag them away from games or YouTube when it’s dark and cold.
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They are worried about how much time is spend on screens, but parents also need them to be quietly engaged while they sorts other things like housework or dinner.
Free and Local Community Activities for your Family Calendar
ParkPlay at Grundy Park – Every Saturday, 10 AM – 12 PM
ParkPlay is great for families to join the play and have fun with the kids; it’s run by volunteers, making it perfect for families of all ages. Just look for the Parkplay flag and join the group. Register – https://park-play.com/
Suggested plan: Meet at 10 am every Saturday for “Park Play.” Bring wellies or boots (it might be muddy), wrap up warm, and pack a small picnic or flask of hot chocolate. After Parkplay, take a walk, do a simple nature scavenger hunt or “I-spy” game.
Why it works: It’s free, outdoors, and gives children a chance to move and socialise, a great way to replace early-morning screen time with active fun.
This is a free, weekly 2 km event for children aged 4-14. Kids can walk, jog or run in a friendly, supportive environment. Children and young people can also work towards earning wristbands.
Suggested plan: Arrive at 8:45am and warm-up starts at 9 am. Ensure you register online if it’s your first time for a free barcode, this will track your time so you can try and improve on your own time each week. – https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
Encourage the whole family to come along; parents can either run with the children as a family run or can stand at the side, cheering them on. Bring layers, and enjoy a play in the playground together afterwards.
Why it works: It’s an early start that encourages fresh air and exercise, the perfect balance to time spent online.
Making the Most of November Weather
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Dress for comfort: Warm layers, waterproofs, and sturdy shoes make outdoor time enjoyable.
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Go early: Make the most of daylight by scheduling outdoor activities in the morning.
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Have a backup: On wet days, switch to cosy indoor activities, crafts, games, or baking.
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Reward routine: After outdoor fun, a warm drink or film night can make it feel special.
Winter Reads Challenge
Hertfordshire Libraries’ Winter Reads 2025 challenge is a brilliant way for families in and around Cheshunt and Waltham Cross to embrace offline time together this winter. Running from 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, the campaign invites people of all ages to complete six fun reading challenges, whether that’s trying a new genre, reviewing a book, or attending a library event.
Hertfordshire County Council+1 You can pick up a challenge card or bookmark from your local library, log your progress, and once you finish all six, you’ll enter a prize draw (yes….. there’s even an iPad up for grabs!).
Hertfordshire County Council It’s a lovely way to swap screen time for reading time, visit your library, and build a cozy, shared winter habit as a family.
Offline Hobbies and Interests to Explore Together
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Story-writing or comic making: Children can write or draw “Our Autumn Adventure at Grundy Park.”
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Craft time: Collect leaves or pinecones to create collages or decorations.
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Board or card games: Pick one night each week for a “family games night.”
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Cooking together: Let children help make dinner or bake. It’s hands-on, creative, and screen-free.
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Nature walks: Visit Lee Valley or any local parks for leaf-spotting and puddle jumping.
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Family bike rides: Explore local cycle paths or quiet roads. Lee Valley has some great paths to explore.
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Park games: Bring a football or frisbee to Park Play.
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Mini photo challenge: Give children a camera to capture “three interesting things” they find outdoors.
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Gardening or planting bulbs: November is ideal for planting tulips or daffodils for spring.
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Volunteer together: Families can help at Junior parkrun, great for older children to give back to the community.
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Local exploring: Cedars Park in Cheshunt is a lovely spot with history, open spaces, and free entry.
Supporting Children with SEND
For families with children who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities, managing screen time can be more complex, but offline engagement can still be rewarding and accessible.
Here are some simple, inclusive ideas,
Sensory walks, Explore textures and sounds outdoors, crunching leaves, feeling bark, and hearing birds. Visual timetables, Use pictures to clearly show when screen time and outdoor time happen. Creating a simple Now and Next visual can also help prepare children for what is coming next and reduce anxiety.
Supporting transitions, Give short countdowns such as “5 minutes until we switch off” before moving from screens to another activity. Calm spaces, Visit parks at quieter times if large groups are overwhelming. Joint activities, Pair siblings or friends together to encourage participation and build social confidence.
Creative choices, For children who find movement difficult, crafts, cooking, or photography can be wonderful alternatives.
Community connection, Local organisations such as SPACE offer activities and support groups designed for neurodiverse families, giving children and parents a place to connect and feel supported.
Extra support, There has also been a helpful workshop for parents and carers called Talking ASD & ADHD: Tech Use available through Eventbrite. This session focuses on understanding tech habits and creating healthy routines at home.
The key is routine, patience, and celebrating even small steps toward more balanced engagement.
Screen-Time Balance Tips for Families
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Set “tech-free” times — such as during meals, morning routines, or outdoor play.
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Create screen-time windows — agreed-upon times when screens are used, rather than all day.
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Lead by example — children model what they see. Try to “unplug” together.
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Encourage purposeful screen use — watching something educational, creative, or shared as a family.
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Prioritise movement and connection — the more engaging offline options there are, the less screens are missed.
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Wind down early — turn screens off at least 30 minutes before bedtime for better sleep.
Building Long-Term Habits
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Start small — replace one screen-heavy slot with a fun offline option.
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Make it social — invite friends or relatives to join local free activities.
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Track achievements — add stickers to a “Family Offline Chart.”
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Talk about feelings — help children notice how they feel after active play vs long screen sessions.
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Keep it positive — focus on what families gain, not what they lose.
Indoor Local Attractions to Explore
Because November weather may push you indoors more, it’s helpful to plan both outdoor and indoor options. And where possible, free or low‑cost. Here are some ideas.
Using such a venue provides a rich, screen‑free environment with educational and sensory benefits.
It’s a good option when you’re looking for something culturally rich yet relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Balancing online and offline time is vital for children’s development, family connection, and well-being. Families in Cheshunt & Waltham Cross have access to a wide range of opportunities that support this balance. Outdoor activities like Park Play at Grundy Park and Junior parkrun at Cheshunt Park offer fun, free ways to get moving and enjoy fresh air.
Indoors, families can explore local free museums such as the Natural History Museum at Tring, St Albans Museum & Gallery, or Hertford Museum, offering engaging and educational experiences away from screens. And for creative inspiration, your CHEXS family arts & craft sessions (bookable via Eventbrite) give children and parents a chance to spend quality time together, develop skills, and create something tangible.
By combining these options, active play, cultural visits, and hands-on craft, families can build a balanced routine where screens are just one part of a rich mix of experiences. Small, consistent choices like these can make offline time enjoyable and meaningful, helping children thrive and strengthening family bonds.
