The Modern Dilemma of Screens and Kids
Recent statistics have found that screen time may be worse than we expected for our beloved Generation Alpha (children born in 2010-2024), with as many as nine hours per day spent on screens. That’s longer than most of our days of work!
But let's break it down.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies found that 4-5 year olds are, on average, spending more than two hours on a screen per week day. That’s not even factoring in their weekends.
By 12-13, this jumps up an extra hour at least, still just factoring in the weekdays.
Now, keep in mind Australia’s national guidelines for screen time are:
- “no screen time for children younger than two years
- no more than one hour per day for children aged 2–5 years
- no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5–17 years (not including schoolwork).”
Meaning our averages are over by A LOT.
But why does it matter? It depends on your child's age.
For 0-5 year olds, screen time has negative impacts on:
- weight
- motor and cognitive development
- social and psychological wellbeing
- and have impacts on both emotional and family functioning later in life
For 5-17 year olds, the negative impacts include:
- weight and diet (especially from TV viewing)
- behavioural problems
- anxiety
- hyperactivity
- and attention-spans
(Feel free to double check this information on the ‘Australia’s national guidelines for screen time’ page linked above. There’s numerous references to studies and even more mind-boggling information!)
The Benefits of Screen-Free Play
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to screens. Many schools have utilised them in their curriculums and they’re in every aspect of our lives to make them more efficient. But that’s why it’s important to prioritise as much screen-free time as possible when you’re with your kids, it might be the only time they’re getting it!
The way many parents are doing this is through screen-free play.
Not only does it reduce the negative impacts of excessive screen time, but has its own enduring advantages.
Physically, screen-free play enhances motor skills, coordination, and overall fitness.
Mentally, it fosters creativity, problem-solving, and even reduces stress.
Socially and emotionally, screen-free play supports face-to-face interactions and the development of empathy, teamwork, and communication skills.
So how do we utilise screen-free play to get these benefits for our children? Toys!
How Toys Support Screen-Free Play
Toys are a great way to get your kid excited for time without a screen, providing them with a much needed break from technology while sparking desire for creativity, imagination, and learning.
Here’s some of our favourite screen-free toys and why we love them:
Toys like LEGO, wooden blocks, or magnetic tiles are perfect for inspiring children to build and create their own worlds, developing spatial awareness and critical thinking while they have fun! They’re also great toys to work on alone or with any number of people.
Dolls, action figures, play kitchens, and dress-up costumes are the pinnacle of fun, helping children explore social roles, practice empathy, and develop storytelling skills. You can tailor these toys to interests they love, or get them to branch out and explore new concepts.
Arts and crafts materials such as colouring books, modelling clay, or paints can stimulate imagination, improve fine motor skills, and promote independent thought as children are prompted to reflect and explore. They may like exploring different types of art, or fall in love with one form, leading them to a lifelong passion!
Other Screen-Free Play Ideas for Different Ages and Abilities
The best thing about screen-free play is that it can be tailored to your child’s individual needs and support their development. While the toys mentioned above are great general types of screen-free play, here are some more specific ideas to benefit your child.
For Toddlers (Ages 1-3):
Prioritise textured toys, water play, or make sensory bins for kids to get them more aware of the world around them.
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Hands on toys
Use simple stacking toys and shape sorters to promote problem-solving and hand-eye coordination.
For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5):
- Pretend play
Toys like accessories, doctor kits, or puppet theatres are perfect for this group, fostering creativity and social skills.
Physical play outdoors with balls, tricycles, or tunnels are essential to promote movement and coordination. Get them to make up games for an extra touch of cognitive development!
For School-Aged Kids (Ages 6-9):
Board games, team-play, and puzzle games are great screen-free activities at this stage, challenging cognitive skills and encouraging cooperative play that is needed as children flourish in full-time schooling.
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Outdoor games
Create some scavenger hunts, sports games or obstacle courses to build your child’s physical fitness and teamwork skills, or get them to make some for their siblings or friends.
For Tweens and Teens (Ages 10+):
- Hobbies
Prompt more complex activities or hobbies like model-building, science crafts, or design-based activities like jewellery-making or DIY projects to develop patience and creativity as they move into their teenage years.
- Outside adventures
As kids get older, they should be encouraged to spend more time outdoors as they grow their independence. Doing camping or hiking trips, or getting them involved in new team sports can build leadership skills and social connections.
Encouraging a Balanced Approach to Play in 2025
The best thing we can teach our children is how to have a healthy balance with technology.
As we start to depend more on technology, it’s important to help them understand why we need intentional time away, especially while they’re developing. Scheduling screen-free play, providing screen alternatives, and setting limits on when or how long screens are used for are just a few ways that can help implement unplugged play and teach them about the pros and cons of technology.
What are some of the favourite screen-free play activities or toys in your household? Share them with us on our Instagram page!