Helping Families Step Away from Screens and Into Connection

Supporting Families in a Screen-Saturated World: A New Guide for Movement and Play

As digital media becomes more integrated into family life, parents and caregivers are increasingly looking for ways to strike a healthy balance—especially when it comes to screen time and physical activity. A new resource from the California Partners Project, developed in collaboration with First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, offers timely, research-informed guidance to help.

The Tech/Life Balance: Movement & Outdoor Activity Family Guide is a bilingual tool designed to support families in building daily routines that include more opportunities for movement, play, and outdoor exploration. Backed by research, the guide affirms what many families already feel: extended screen use can leave kids feeling irritable and disconnected, while even brief moments of physical activity can improve mood, focus, and overall well-being.

Rather than offering rigid prescriptions, the guide provides flexible, low-pressure ideas that fit into real family life. From simple conversation starters about screen habits to practical tips like setting up grab-and-go activity bins, the strategies are designed to foster joy, connection, and emotional regulation through movement. As families work to find balance in a screen-saturated environment, small shifts—like a walk around the block after dinner or setting up spontaneous outdoor play—can make a big difference in children’s emotional and physical well-being.

The Movement & Outdoor Activity Family Guide is available now in both English and Spanish. Explore and download the guide here: calpartnersproject.org/techlifebalance/movement