With parents becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of screentime on their children – sparking a surge in searches for ways to unplug and reconnect – screen-free holidays could be the solution.
From January to December 2025, search interest in “digital detox” jumped 40%, while searches for “screen free kids” have skyrocketed 150% since the start of last year. Other queries like “how to limit screentime” (+68%), “kids screentime” (+49%), “screen fatigue” (+108%), and “how to switch off” (+25%) have increased in the last year, revealing a clear trend: families are actively seeking ways to disconnect from their phones, and reconnect with each other.
This is paired with parents’ desire to replicate the adventures of their own childhoods – complete with fresh air and phone-free outdoor exploration – reflected in a 274% surge in searches for “travel activities” over the past four months.
Following insights from Camplify’s Analogue Escape Index – which revealed Devon, Cumbria and Yorkshire are England’s top counties for off-grid breaks – here are five tips to help families switch off and introduce children to the joys of a screen-free break. Let’s reduce that screentime!
Camplify UK’s top five tips for a seamless screen-free family holiday:
- Set expectations before your holiday
Before you even pack your bags, have a quick family chat about the screen rules on your trip – how much time is allowed, when it’s okay to use devices, and what happens if the rules are broken.
Clear communication reduces conflicts and ensures that everyone knows the purpose of digital boundaries. Framing the holiday as a chance to connect and disconnect from screens also sets the tone for a relaxed, fun-filled break.
- Create “screen windows”
Instead of allowing constant access to devices, establish designated “screen windows” during which kids can use phones and tablets, ideally for no more than 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Avoid random or spontaneous usage, and keep meals completely screen-free to encourage conversation, laughter, and shared memories that no phone could replicate.
By structuring screen time, children can enjoy their devices while still appreciating offline moments.
- Make the alternative more exciting
Prepare a holiday activity bag with new books, puzzles, or travel games. You could even channel the retro nostalgia of your own childhood by teaching your child to use analogue items like a compass, physical map, or digital camera – the latter two of which have seen 40% and 68% increase in search interest in the last two years.
For day trips, choose destinations that are naturally screen-free, like long walks, historic castles, sprawling parks, nature trails, and stargazing nights. When the offline options are fun and stimulating, kids will happily leave screens behind.
- Give them responsibility
Even on holiday, kids enjoy taking on new tasks and responsibilities, which can give them a sense of ownership and excitement.
For example, when staying in a campervan, involve them in practical roles such as setting up the awning, filling water containers, or being the “chief navigator” during journeys. Assigning meaningful responsibilities encourages participation, teaches them new skills, and reduces their reliance on screens for entertainment and fulfilment.
- Model the behaviour
Children closely observe adult habits, so it is crucial for parents and guardians to set healthy screen time examples. If the grown-ups are constantly checking phones, the kids will follow suit.
Leave your phone away from the table before meals, and consider sharing your child’s digital detox hour each day. Demonstrating your own enjoyment of time offline can help reinforce positive habits for the whole family.
Getting off-grid and reconnecting with family and nature is even easier on the road. Renting a campervan allows for travel at your own pace, and a return to a simpler way of holidaying.
The Camplify UK platform offers thousands of vehicles to choose from, so your family can enjoy an analogue escape, with the freedom of the open road ahead.
Learn more at: www.camplify.co.uk
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