The Secret to Reducing Kids' Screen Time: Holiday with Friends
Published February 15, 2026. Last August, I was relaxing on a beach in Cornwall, book in hand, sun shining, sea sparkling. I looked over at my friend Mel and our husbands, all stretched out nearby. Despite being on holiday with our four children, we were remarkably stress-free.
The Screen-Free Revelation
My children Ella, 12, and Leo, 9, were playing with Mel's kids Calvin, 9, and Aveline, 5. They were completely absorbed in their own world—filling buckets with sand, jumping waves, collecting shells and stones. Their laughter and pure joy filled the air. Then it struck me: none of them had asked for a screen. Not once.
Three days into our holiday, aside from some morning cartoons, we hadn't heard a single plea for devices. We hadn't imposed a screen ban either. The reason for our success was far simpler: we weren't holidaying alone.
Why Group Holidays Work
At home, we maintain boundaries—our children must complete four tasks before getting screens. During holidays, screens linger in the background, and requests still occur despite limits. But on our Cornish holiday with friends: nothing. No negotiations, no moaning, no battles.
We began holidaying with our best friends post-pandemic in 2020, having known them for over 20 years. We realized the benefits would include:
- Shared childcare responsibilities
- Wine and beer-fuelled laughter among adults
- The rare luxury of an uninterrupted hot drink while someone else mediated arguments
Natural Entertainment Emerges
With four children between us, there were built-in playmates from morning until night. The kids enjoyed:
- Playing on the beach and searching for sea glass
- Investigating rock pools and making up songs during coastal walks
- Inventing elaborate games using seaweed and driftwood
- Getting stuck into activity books and playing countless rounds of Noughts and Crosses and UNO during typical British weather or while waiting for dinner
Of course, there were squabbles—usually end-of-day meltdowns from tiredness where small issues like seating arrangements became big deals. These required empathy and understanding from all adults. But screens rarely appeared on their radars. When occasional requests did surface, having four parents united made saying "no" much easier.
The Power of Parental Unity
No single parent became the "mean" one, and nobody felt alone. We presented a united front where children quickly learned asking was pointless. They simply accepted it.
Modern parenting often feels isolated—fighting daily battles behind closed doors. But holidaying with friends creates that much-discussed "village," making you feel less alone while benefiting the children too.
The Unexpected Digital Detox
This became the digital detox I'd only dreamed of. Even we parents spent less time doom-scrolling. Most amazingly, the children barely missed their screens. They weren't longing for devices, counting down, or completing checklists to play Minecraft. They were too busy creating their own messy, loud, imaginative fun.
They returned home with tales of chasing crabs, spotting seals, and seagulls stealing ice creams. Hearing them animatedly retell their adventures filled me with quiet pride and relief. Time away from screens had fed their curiosity in ways no tablet ever could.
Rediscovering Childhood Simplicity
This was the real revelation. I expected compromises on group holidays—regarding food, activities, rooms. But I hadn't anticipated that holidaying with another family would make children forget about screens almost entirely.
It felt like rewinding to my own childhood holidays, where screens weren't featured. Fun was simple, chaotic, and free—flying kites on Cornish beaches or eating towering Knickerbocker glories in Scarborough cafes.
Lasting Lessons and Future Plans
We hadn't sought a screen-time solution, yet each year we inadvertently return with one. While not a permanent fix—screens will always have their place—our holidays prove that when children have freedom, fresh air, and most importantly, other children around, screens naturally take a backseat.
This experience has reshaped how we holiday. This summer, we're returning to Cornwall together, visiting somewhere new. Next time, we might not even pack the children's tablets, removing any fallback option. Without the half-hearted "I'm bored" fix, their only choice will be finding fun elsewhere.
Give children a beach, a bucket, and friends to stay up late with, and they don't just survive without screens—they thrive. Meanwhile, parents can finally sit back, sip hot drinks, and read books, knowing that temporarily, "Mum" won't be followed by "Can I play on my tablet?" Instead, we'll hear: "Come and see what we've found!"
