Transform Screen Time from Passive to Active Learning

Cansu Oranç

May 15, 2025

It’s easy to worry about kids spending too much time staring at screens. It can feel like they’re just watching videos or tapping through games without really thinking or doing much. But screen time doesn’t always have to be like that!

Imagine your child using technology to create, build, invent, and move. With the right choices, they can go from just watching to actively doing, using their minds and bodies to explore something new.

Here are a few ways to make screen time more creative, active, and engaging.

6 Active Screen Time Ideas

Creative Apps:

Find apps where your child can make music, tell stories, or design characters. You can look for AI-powered tools that help kids bring their ideas to life. And join in the fun! Create a digital drawing, a cartoon, or a fun little tune together.

Coding Apps:

Try apps that introduce basic coding. Kids can build simple games or interactive stories with block-based tools.

Physically Active Videos:

Find videos that get your child moving, whether it’s dancing, singing, or stretching. If they danced along to a video, ask them to teach you the moves!

Skill-Building Apps and Videos:

Explore apps or videos that teach new skills like playing an instrument or learning a new language. Many AI-powered platforms now adjust to your child’s pace and interests, making learning more personal.

Photography and Video:

Hand over your phone’s camera and encourage your child to take photos or videos of things they love. They can turn them into stories or just enjoy capturing the world around them. Try out fun filters or simple editing together.

Putting into Practice:

Help your child apply what they’ve seen in videos. If they watched a cartoon about baking cookies, try baking some together. If they saw a video about animals, encourage them to draw one of the animals and tell you about it.

By introducing children to hands-on digital tools and experiences, we can turn screen time into an opportunity for creativity, learning, and movement!

Cansu Oranç

Developmental Psychologist

Dr. Cansu Oranç holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and has over a decade of experience studying children’s interactions with technology. She has worked as a postdoctoral researcher and assistant professor, focusing on how digital tools impact early learning, and now works in EdTech, leading the design and research of engaging, developmentally appropriate digital learning experiences for children.

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What is the difference between passive and active screen time?

Passive screen time involves watching content without interaction, the child is a spectator. Active screen time involves creating, problem-solving, or responding, the child is a participant. Active screen use has significantly more developmental benefit.

How can I turn my child's favourite show into an active learning experience?

Pause and predict ('what do you think will happen next?'), ask recall questions after ('what did the character do to solve that problem?'), draw a scene, act out the story, or find a related book or activity. The show becomes a springboard rather than an endpoint.

Which types of apps or programmes encourage active rather than passive screen use?

Look for apps that require choices, creativity, or problem-solving, drawing tools, simple coding games, interactive storybooks, educational puzzles, or programmes that ask children to sing, move, or respond along.