In a culture where having a TV is almost a given—especially with young kids—it might seem unusual to go without one. But for over a year now, our family has been living life without a TV, and it’s been one of the most meaningful changes we’ve made to our home life. While we still use screens occasionally—like an iPad or projector—removing the TV has reshaped how we rest, play, and connect. Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. We Spend More Time Outdoors — Mornings Look Different Now
Without the easy option of turning on the TV in the morning, we naturally head outside instead. Walks have become part of our daily rhythm, and my kids are used to long stroller rides. It sets a peaceful tone for the day. We often stop at nearby parks, free little libraries, the public library, or even the beach—which, yes, is a play space year-round. (A little reminder: don’t be afraid to visit the beach in the off-season. My kids are often the only ones there and they love it!) Depending on dinner plans, we’ll walk before or after eating, which also helps ease us into our evening routine.
2. Less Mindless Watching — More Meaningful Moments
Using a projector instead of a TV forces us to pause and ask: Do we really want to watch something right now? Since it takes time to set up, we only use it with intention. That barrier makes a big difference. Movie nights now feel like a special occasion rather than a default. Recently, Camden picked out Kung Fu Panda at the library, so we rearranged the living room, made popcorn (well, rice cakes for Camden!), and cozied up for a family night. Afterward, we watched Kiki’s Delivery Service, which was a sweet nostalgic pick for me. The next morning, we finished the movie and played some Animal Crossing on the projector until breakfast was ready. Camden loved catching bugs in the game—perfect timing since we’re currently doing a homeschool theme on insects. (Stay tuned for a post about our “Little Bug Explorers” week!)
Bonus: We Saved Money Too
Along with stepping back from TV, we also canceled our streaming subscriptions. We realized we just weren’t using them enough to justify the monthly cost. Since we’re already making regular trips to the library for books, it just made sense to take advantage of the movie selection too. I do still have access to one streaming service (thanks to a shared account I don’t pay for), but even then, it’s rare that we use it. Letting go of those subscriptions was another way to reduce the “just because it’s there” screen time—and save some money in the process.
3. Screens Are Easier to Put Away — No More Requests
An iPad can be closed and tucked out of sight. A projector needs to be intentionally set up. But a TV with a remote? That’s constant temptation—especially for toddlers. That was the final push for us to make the change. Our toddler would regularly ask for TV, even though we only watched it for about 30 minutes every other day. Still, it became a frequent request. So we moved the TV to the attic, and I’m so glad we did.
4. We Use Our Space Better — Small Home, Big Shifts
Living in a small home, every square foot matters. The TV just didn’t serve us enough to earn its spot. It’s the same reason we let go of our microwave. Without the TV, the dresser it sat on became a folding station for laundry. A few months later, while preparing for our baby’s arrival, we realized we didn’t need that dresser in the living room at all. It was only there for the TV. We moved it to the kitchen and now use it as a diaper-changing station. In a small space, things are always shifting—and I’ve learned to only keep what truly earns its place in our home.
5. Rest Looks Different — And That’s a Good Thing
When we need downtime, we do something together. Just today, instead of flipping on the TV, we sat on the floor and painted. It was calm, creative, and kept my toddler engaged longer than I expected. We’re learning that rest doesn’t always have to mean zoning out—it can look like creating, reading, or simply being present. (Reading, by the way, is huge for us if you haven’t figured that out yet.) When I need a breather, we often turn to our Yoto player—before that, it was our Tonies box—and it’s such a peaceful screen-free tool for both of us.
6. We Still Have a TV (Sort Of) — But It’s Not in the Living Room
To be fair, the TV isn’t gone forever—it’s in the attic. And with an upcoming move on the horizon (surprise! I haven’t shared that publicly yet), we’re debating whether to keep it at all. Well—I’m debating. My husband says if he gets a “man cave,” he’ll gladly take it in there to watch football. So it might come back, but we’ve both learned something: just because something is easily accessible doesn’t mean it’s adding value. Sometimes a little friction helps us make better choices.
Life Without a TV Might Not Be for Everyone—But It Works for Us
This choice isn’t about being perfect or judging anyone who loves their TV. It’s simply what’s worked for us. It’s helped us slow down, connect more, and build a home that encourages creativity, movement, and presence. If you’ve ever felt like the TV was taking up more than just physical space in your life, maybe this gives you permission to try something different.