5 Ways to Build Healthy Gaming Habits This Summer

Build healthy gaming habits that support teen mental health, foster real-world connections, and make screen time more meaningful this summer.

For teens, summer break often means more free time—and more screen time.

Video games can be a great way to relax, connect with friends and even sharpen problem-solving skills. But just like in gaming, real-life balance is key.

At Camino a Casa, we encourage healthy habits that support mental, emotional and physical wellness. Here are five ways teens (and families) can enjoy the positives of gaming while staying grounded in the real world.

Concentrated teenager plays online video game using controller, sits on sofa

With the right balance, gaming can be part of a summer filled with growth, connection and fun.

1. Set Daily Time Limits—And Stick to Them

Creating boundaries around screen time helps avoid overuse. A good rule of thumb? No more than 1–2 hours of recreational screen time per day during summer. Use timers or parental controls if needed—and involve teens in setting these limits so they feel empowered, not punished.Tip: Create a shared family schedule that includes screen-free hours each day for outdoor fun, meals, or quiet time.

2. Mix Gaming with Movement

Gaming doesn’t have to be sedentary. Encourage games that get teens off the couch—like dance, fitness, or virtual reality (VR) games. Or better yet, let the game inspire real-world movement. Turning digital play into physical activity helps boost mood, energy, and overall mental well-being.

Tip: After 30 minutes of play, take a “level up” break—15 minutes of movement like a quick walk or shooting hoops.

3. Use Gaming as a Social Connector—Not an Escape

Multiplayer games can build teamwork and keep friendships strong over the summer. Just make sure teens are engaging in real-life social connections too.

Tip: Organize a weekly “IRL gaming meetup” where teens gather to play outdoors, cook together, or build something creative—no controllers allowed.

4. Create Tech-Free Zones for Real-Life Recharge

Designating certain areas—like bedrooms, the dinner table or outdoor spaces—as tech-free helps teens reconnect with the world around them. These zones offer a break from screens and encourage rest, face-to-face conversations, and mindfulness.

Tip: Make the backyard or patio a no-screen zone. Bring out games, crafts, or just a speaker for music and movement.

5. Talk Openly About Gaming—and Mental Health

Gaming can be a coping tool—but when used excessively, it may signal stress, anxiety, or social withdrawal. Open, judgment-free conversations can help teens make better choices and seek support when needed.

Tip: Ask teens what they enjoy about their games—storylines, strategy, connection? Understanding what they value builds trust and opens the door to deeper conversations about balance and well-being.

Final Score: Healthy Habits for the Win

At Camino a Casa, we understand how important it is for teens to feel in control, especially when navigating mental health challenges. Helping them develop healthy screen habits during the summer is a great way to support their overall growth—and maybe even unlock some new life skills along the way.

Casa Pacifica is the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency’s Camino a Casa program, available to clients with private insurance, provides behavioral health care to youth ages 12-17 who struggle with emotional dysregulation and high-risk behaviors that jeopardize their safety at home, school and/or community.

Intensive short-term residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and in-home behavioral health services comprise Camino a Casa’s full continuum of adolescent mental health care.

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