How Much Screen Time Is OK for Toddlers?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests less than 1 hour a day of screen time for toddlers and preschoolers, with no screens at meals, in bedrooms, or in the hour before bed. The AAP's January 2026 policy statement also says the right amount can vary by family and between weekdays and weekends. What matters most is choosing high-quality shows and leaving time for sleep, play, reading, and moving.

What does the AAP recommend in 2026?

The AAP replaced its 2016 media guidance with a new policy statement, "Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents," published in January 2026. For families with young kids, it says:

• Toddlers and preschoolers: time limits might be less than 1 hour a day. The AAP's Q&A for parents says it "generally recommends less than one hour per day for toddlers and preschoolers."
• Babies: babies do not learn from screens, but watching a brief, high-quality video now and then is not harmful.
• Video chat: the AAP notes that video chatting lets kids talk back and forth with a real person, which sets it apart from watching a show.
• Screen-free times: no phones or screens at meals, in bedrooms, or for an hour before bed, for the whole family, parents included.
• Shared, not personal, devices: a shared family tablet makes it easier to keep limits than one that belongs only to the child.
• A plan: the AAP's Family Media Plan helps families decide where, when, and what screens are for.

The 2026 statement moves away from one strict number. If you want a specific limit, the AAP suggests talking with your pediatrician about one that fits your routine.

What counts as a high-quality show for a toddler?

The AAP points families to slower, child-centered programs such as PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop shows. It suggests keeping fast-paced videos, shows full of ads, and scary or violent content to a minimum, and turning off autoplay so the platform doesn't choose the next video. Watching together and talking about the show is part of the AAP's advice, too.

How do you cut back on screen time without a meltdown?

The AAP's Q&A for parents suggests making a plan before you change anything: which rooms screens are for, what times of day, and which shows. Then:

1. Pick a regular screen time. For example, one show around 4pm, or only on weekend mornings. Kids ask less when they know when it's coming.
2. Keep screens in a shared room, like a TV in the living room, and use shared devices.
3. Save the tablet for long trips. The AAP says occasional use on road trips and plane rides can be appropriate.
4. Fill the gaps first. Have something ready for the hours when screens usually creep in: while you cook, the late-afternoon slump, and before bed.

The AAP also notes that if you stop screens all at once, complaining and whining can get worse for a few days before it settles. Agree as parents to keep the same limit through that stretch.

What can toddlers do instead of screens during the hard hours?

These three cover the times screens usually fill. For more, see our no-prep activities for kids, which start in under a minute, and rainy day activities for kids for long days inside.

While you cook: cup-washing station

Ages 18 mo–4, ·Time: 15 min, ·Mess: Medium (water)

You’ll need

A wide bowl with an inch of warm water, 4–6 plastic cups, a sponge, a towel underneath

Steps

Set the towel and bowl on the floor beside you, where you can see them from the stove. Hand over the cups and sponge and ask for the cups to be scrubbed clean and stacked on the towel. Add a squirt of bubbles when interest fades.

SAFETY

Stay within arm's reach and empty the bowl as soon as you're done. Toddlers can drown in an inch or two of water. Keep them away from the stove and hot pans.

Late afternoon: laundry-basket train

Ages 1–4, ·Time: 10–15 min, ·Mess: None

You’ll need

An empty laundry basket, a few stuffed animals

Steps

Load the stuffed animals into the basket as passengers. Your toddler pushes the train from room to room, stopping at "stations" you call out: the couch, the kitchen, the front door. At each stop, one passenger gets off and a new one gets on.

SAFETY

Keep the route on a flat floor, away from stairs. If your toddler rides in the basket, push slowly and stay beside it.

Before bed: goodnight walk

Ages 1–5, ·Time: 5–10 min, ·Mess: None

You’ll need

None

Steps

After pajamas, hold hands and walk through the house saying goodnight to things: the couch, the toys, the window, the moon if you can see it. Let your child choose the next thing. End at their bed.

SAFETY

Keep a light on near any stairs, and hold hands on the way.

Sources

• American Academy of Pediatrics, "Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement" (Pediatrics, January 2026: time limits, screen-free zones, shared tablets, quality content; accessed October 31, 2026)
• AAP Center of Excellence, "Reducing Screen Time for Toddlers: Cold Turkey or Gradual Change?" (less than 1 hour a day, a regular screen time, shared devices; accessed October 31, 2026)
• AAP / HealthyChildren.org, "Kids & Screen Time: 5 C's Questions for Toddlers & Preschoolers" (turning off autoplay, no open access to a tablet; accessed October 31, 2026)
• AAP / HealthyChildren.org, "Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers" (an inch or two of water; accessed October 31, 2026)