Scratch the screen time this holiday break with these strategies for staying active

This piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

The statistics are startling: Fewer than one in four kids are receiving the daily recommended activities needed for healthy development.

“What we do know is that instead, kids spend an average of more than seven hours a day on screens,” said Randall Hill, vice president of fitness at GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

“When they do, they not only start to lack proper sleep and nutrition, but it’s estimated that one in five children ages 6 through 12 experience anxiety and depression. Feelings of disconnection and low self-esteem are at an all-time high.”

The mission of GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness hasn’t changed since it was founded more than a decade ago: To enrich the lives of families and individuals through golf, fitness and healthy lifestyles.

“That mission is as critical today as it ever was,” Hill said. “But fortunately, we have so many ways for kids to be engaged through GreatLIFE.”

With school break approaching and a new year beginning, it’s a good time to consider resolving to cut back on screen time in your household. Here’s how GreatLIFE can help.

Start young

While you go to the gym, your kids can be active too — for free, thanks to GreatLIFE’s child care offered at Woodlake and Performance Center. Kids will be screen-free as they engage in age-appropriate play and games beginning as young as 2 months up to age 12.

Head to the pool

Swim season never ends at GreatLIFE — and it’s an easy way to keep kids active while they’re having fun. Find pools at Woodlake, Avera, EmBe downtown and Willow Run.

Ready to improve your swim skills? SafeSplash Swim School waives its $35 annual fee for GreatLIFE members and offers lessons at GreatLIFE’s Woodlake location.

PLAYEverything & Sport Performance

GreatLIFE’s signature PLAYEverything program introduces kids age 8 to 13 to various sports and life skills through camps and clinics offered all year. Those who are more athletically inclined can participate in Sport Performance camps starting at age 7.

Plus, through its PLAYEverything program, GreatLIFE currently is impacting more than 1,000 kids in the Sioux Falls School District through recreational activities.

Click here to learn more.

Ready for more specialized training?

Sport Performance is also available as an option for kids and will be expanding in 2026 with additional timeslots because of demand. Age groups are 7-11, 12-14 and 15-plus. These beginner to advanced athlete classes work on areas such as speed, agility and reaction time, jumping and landing, strength, power and teamwork as they apply to your athlete’s sport of choice.

Take a fitness class

Depending on the fitness class, kids can come with parents starting at age 10.

Popular offerings include Zumba, where they’ll be so busy dancing they won’t realize how active they’re being, as well as step aerobics. Kids who enjoy swimming could have a great time in water aerobics.

Youth certification also is available to expand permissions for young people to attend classes and use cardio and weight machines without direct supervision from a parent or guardian at several GreatLIFE locations.

Go bowling

A round of bowling is a fun way to stay active despite the cold weather. Free bowling is available for members at GreatLIFE Suburban Lanes whenever lanes are available.

Visit here to learn more.

Take advantage of member benefits

GreatLIFE members enjoy a wide range of savings at area businesses, including those that help keep kids screen-free. For example, you can take advantage of:

• 50 percent off your first class at South Dakota Aerial & Arts.
• 25 percent off daily admission at the Great Plains Zoo.
• 50 percent off walk-in golf bay rates on Sunday at Great Shots, plus 10 percent off during nonpeak times during the week.
• 50 percent off court reservations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Remedy Pickleball Pub.
• Buy one learn-to-skate session and get a free private lesson through the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club.
• 50 percent off open jump while a parent jumps free on Wednesday at Sky Zone, plus $4 off open jump Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
• Bowl for $15 an hour Sunday through Friday at Sport Bowl.
• 50 percent off admission to the Washington Pavilion on Sunday and 20 percent off annual membership.

Consider keeping it going

Once you commit to a more screen-free lifestyle, GreatLIFE can offer ongoing advantages all year and as kids grow older. Take a look at the full continuum available:

To learn more about becoming a GreatLIFE member, stop in any location or start online here.