Outdoor Play and Screen Time: Simple Tips for Finding Balance

Thank you to our guest author, Lexi Davey, Nook NZ

Nook NZ gets it — screens are part of life, but so are tree climbs, bug hunts and and good old-fashioned outdoor play. In this article, they’re sharing some easy ways to get the kids outside, have a bit of fun, and maybe even swap a few YouTube marathons for puddle-jumping sessions.

It’s Not About Banning Screens – It’s About Finding Balance

We’re not here to wage war on screens. Let’s be real — tablets have saved many a dinner prep, long car ride, or 5:30 a.m. wake-up call. But if you’re starting to notice your kid talks more about what they built in Minecraft than what they built with sticks in the backyard, it might be time to mix in a bit more green with all that screen.

The good news? Getting kids outside doesn’t have to mean hiking boots and a backpack full of snacks (though those adventures are great too). Sometimes, it’s just about creating little opportunities for nature to compete with Netflix.

And hey, if your kid’s happily zoning out to peaceful TV shows or getting lost down a social media rabbit hole, no judgement — it’s all part of growing up today. We’ve even rounded up a few of our favourite slow TV shows and shared some tips for navigating social media without losing your mind, just in case you need a starting point. But if you’re ready to embrace a little more nature (and a lot more muddy knees and wild imaginations), read on.

Keep Outdoor Play Easy: Make it the Default

Think low-effort, high-impact. Have a soccer ball or a mud kitchen within reach. Set up a scavenger hunt with stuff already lying around outside—pinecones, feathers, a weird rock. When outdoor play is easy to access, kids are way more likely to run with it (literally).

Don’t overthink it. Chuck a few dress-ups in the sandpit. Leave out a container of water and some spoons. Sometimes “boredom” is the doorway to brilliant play.

Make Nature their Outdoor Playground

Swings, slides, and climbing frames are great—but so are tree stumps, bushes, and muddy puddles. Head to a local nature playground or wild space and just… let them go for it. No agenda. No time limit.
In Christchurch, places like Bottle Lake Forest, Richmond Community Gardens, and the student-designed Adventure Avenue in the red zone are full of open-ended, unstructured fun. These spots are basically an outdoor invitation to get messy, curious, and creative.

Use Tech to Get Outside (yep, really)
If ditching screens altogether feels impossible, try using them for outdoor play. Think geocaching (the modern-day treasure hunt), nature photo challenges, or apps like Seek by iNaturalist, which help kids identify plants, bugs, and birds on the go. It’s screen time, but with mud on your boots.
Make Outdoor Play Part of the Routine
It doesn’t have to be a big event. 15 minutes after school. A walk after dinner. A weekend family trip to a new park. The more normal outdoor time feels, the less you’ll hear “ugh, do I have to?” (Okay, maybe slightly less.)
Pair it with something they love—like taking hot chocolate to the garden on a chilly morning or building a fire pit for weekend marshmallow toasting.
Let Them Lead
Sometimes the trick to getting kids outside is letting them take the reins. Ask them what they want to do. Maybe they want to make a fairy garden, build a bike ramp, or dig a hole to the other side of the world. Let the weird, wonderful ideas lead the way. You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy plan. Just curiosity and a bit of space to explore.
Model It (Even If You’re Faking It)
If you’re scrolling your phone while telling your kids to “go play outside,” they’re going to clock it. Fast. Try heading out with them—read a book on the deck, potter in the garden, or just be present while they dig up worms. They’ll notice. And probably dig up a worm for you, too.
Dress for Mess
One of the biggest barriers to outdoor play? Worrying about the washing. Which is where our friends at Mud Mates come in. Their gear is designed to take on all the wet, muddy, messy moments so you don’t have to panic about ruined clothes. Throw on a Mud Mates coverall and let your kids get gloriously grubby. Clean clothes stay clean. Happy kid. Less laundry. Win-win.

At the end of the day, it’s not about eliminating screens. It’s about creating balance. The kind where your kid can navigate a tablet and navigate their way up a tree. Where puddle jumping is just as normal as Peppa Pig. And where green time is something they actually look forward to. Start small. Go outside. Get dirty. Let them be wild.

And hey, if your kid’s happily zoning out to peaceful TV or getting lost down a social media rabbit hole, no judgement — it’s part of the world they’re growing up in. We’ve put together a list of our favourite slow TV shows and some tips for navigating social media without losing your mind, just in case you need a starting point.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lexi Davey is a Christchurch mum of two and the founder of nook NZ, Canterbury’s leading online parenting resource. nook helps families discover the best local events, activities, and expert-backed insights — all in one place. Find out more at nooknz.com.

For more ideas on how to get kids outside and into outdoor play, check out this blog: How to Get Kids to Play Outside.

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