Screen time swapped for outdoor activity under Nature Play 30-day challenge

IT’S that time of year when parents and kids alike fall into this holiday trap. But a Queensland boy has thrown down a challenge to break the unhealthy cycle.

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A QUEENSLAND boy is challenging his peers to pick the outdoors over screens this summer.

Hunter Barrett, 11, recently finished primary school at Moreton Bay Boys’ College in Brisbane.

For his final year six project he decided to undertake a three-day screen free challenge.

Through the encouragement of his mum, he then shared his idea with Nature Play QLD.

The not-for-profit organisation was set up to encourage children to embrace the outdoors rather than their computers or phones.

Hunter’s quest to go screen-free inspired the group to create a 30 Day Nature Play Challenge.

Children are being encouraged to have a #summer2remember by swapping screen time for green time over the holidays.

Hunter — who was a self-confessed screen addict — said the challenge pushed him to do things he hadn’t done in a long time.

“I played with my friends and nature, it’s more fun,” he said in the promotional video.

Hunter encouraged other children to get outside for at least two hours a day for 30 days over the summer holidays.

There are so many ways to enjoy outdoors time and stay healthy.

His mum Suzanne Barrett said she was proud of her son’s achievement.

“We’ve always set a benchmark for screen use in our family but Hunter has always been naturally drawn to screens and technology,” she said.

“He is now more aware of what can happen when you replace playing on screens with playing outside thanks to his screen free challenge.

“Hunter is more attentive, creative and able to entertain himself off screens, and we’re looking forward to encouraging him over the holidays to continue with this challenge.”

According to Nature Play, a recent national survey showed Australian children the same age as Hunter were spending a minimum of three hours a day on screens during the week.

That increased to more than four hours a day on the weekend.

Thenational recommended limit is two hours a day.

Sport Minister Curtis Pitt recently announced Nature Play had launched a string of new summer-themed activities on its website.

“A quick look at the Nature Play website opens up a wealth of budget-conscious and family-friendly active recreation ideas — from activities and events in your local area to playlists suitable for a range of natural environments,” he said.

“These new playlists will fire imaginations and really get kids motivated to get outside and experience everything our environment has to offer.”

For more details visit www.natureplay.qld.org.au.

Kicking a ball around is way more healthy, and sociable, than sitting on a screen all day.

Originally published as Screen time swapped for outdoor activity under Nature Play 30-day challenge