The digital landscape for young Australians has shifted significantly with the introduction of new legislation aimed at protecting children. As parents and caregivers adjust to this change, it presents a perfect opportunity to rediscover the joys of screen-free engagement.

Understanding the New Law#

Australia has recently implemented a landmark law banning children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislation is a proactive measure designed to safeguard minors from the psychological, developmental, and privacy risks associated with prolonged and unsupervised social media use. The core goal is to shift the focus back to real-world interactions, creativity, and physical activities during crucial developmental years.

While this change might initially be met with some resistance from young people accustomed to constant digital connection, it is a powerful catalyst for encouraging healthy, engaging, and screen-free activities.

Here are 10 fantastic screen-free activities to enjoy with your kids, replacing infinite scrolling with infinite possibilities.

1. Design and Colour a Custom Colouring Book#

Colouring in is a simple but powerful activity that supports children’s development in many ways. It helps improve fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination as kids practice holding crayons and staying within lines. Colouring also encourages creativity and self-expression, allowing children to explore colours, patterns, and ideas freely. In addition, it can boost focus and concentration, promote relaxation, and build confidence as children complete their artwork and with a custom Koluwin book they’ll also be colouring in their favourite memories.

2. Family Board Game Tournament#

Dust off those classic board games and introduce some friendly competition. Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Ticket to Ride, or even a simple deck of cards can provide hours of strategic thinking and laughter. Establish a rotating schedule of games and keep a tally of winners for a grand finale prize (a screen-free experience, of course!).

3. Build a Backyard Obstacle Course#

Turn your backyard, local park, or even the living room into an adventure zone. Use household items like blankets, pillows, ropes, hula hoops, and garden stakes to create an engaging obstacle course. This promotes physical activity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

4. Start a Kitchen Garden Project#

Gardening is a wonderful, hands-on way to teach responsibility and patience. Start small with herbs on a windowsill or dedicate a patch in the backyard for vegetables. Your child will love watching something they planted grow, culminating in the joy of eating their own homegrown produce.

5. Write and Illustrate a Story#

Encourage storytelling by having your child write a short story, poem, or even a comic book. They can use their imagination to create new worlds, characters, and adventures. Once the writing is complete, the illustration phase begins, allowing them to visually bring their tale to life.

6. The "Mystery Box" Creation Challenge#

Fill a box with random craft supplies—pipe cleaners, felt scraps, glue, empty toilet paper rolls, string, stickers, etc. Challenge your child (or a group of kids) to create something specific (e.g., "a futuristic vehicle" or "a habitat for an imaginary animal") using only the contents of the box.

7. Learn a New Life Skill#

Use this time to teach practical life skills that are often overlooked. This could include baking bread from scratch, learning basic knitting or sewing, mastering simple woodworking, or even fundamental household repairs. These skills build confidence and self-sufficiency.

8. Volunteer or Perform Community Service#

Instill the value of giving back by engaging in local community service. This might involve helping at a local animal shelter, organising a neighbourhood clean-up, or visiting a retirement home (with appropriate permission). Real-world empathy and connection are invaluable developmental tools.

9. Backyard Camping or Stargazing#

Set up a tent in the backyard for a night of "camping" fun. If weather permits, stay up late and introduce them to basic astronomy. Use a simple star chart to identify constellations. This fosters a connection with nature and inspires curiosity about the world beyond screens.

10. The Ultimate Building Challenge#

Whether it’s LEGOs, wooden blocks, or even just large cardboard boxes, dedicate an afternoon to a grand building project. Challenge them to build the tallest structure, a functioning marble run, or a comfortable fort big enough for the whole family. The only limit is their imagination and the materials available.