How to Get Kids Off Screens (Without the Meltdowns)

young children spinning and laughing on circular swings in a backyard, enjoying active outdoor play together.

We get it—screens are everywhere. Our little legends dive into digital devices like bees to honey, from Paw Patrol marathons to Minecraft missions and YouTube rabbit holes. And while a bit of screen time is totally normal (and let’s be real, sometimes necessary), it can be tough when you find yourself saying ‘just five more minutes’ for the fifth time this morning.

So, if you’re wondering how to get kids off screens without tantrums, negotiations, or resorting to bribery (again), you’re in the right place. This isn’t about banning screens altogether. It’s about bringing back balance and rediscovering the magic of good ol’ outdoor play.

Let’s dive into some fun, doable ideas to help get your kids excited about swapping the tablet for the trampoline, and how Funky Monkey Bars can help you make it happen.

The Great Screen-Time Struggle

First things first: screens are designed to be addictive. Flashing lights, instant rewards, endless scrolls, and colourful characters who never get tired… no wonder it’s hard to compete. Young and older children alike quickly get hooked when they watch TV, play games, or scroll through social media.

But let’s talk about the effects of screen time. When it stretches beyond the recommended screen time limit, it can affect everything from sleep and behaviour to attention spans and social skills. It also means missing out on something every child needs—active, imaginative play.

Outdoor time isn’t just fun. It helps build strength, coordination, confidence, and resilience. Plus, it’s good for us parents, too. A worn-out kid is a happy kid, and usually, a well-rested one.

So, how do you turn off the screen without turning on the drama?

Close up shot of the birds nest swing, with a blue ninja grip out of focus in the foreground. Both are hanging from a red and purple monkey bar frame in a backyard.

Step 1: Make Outdoors Irresistible

If you want to know how to get kids off screens, don’t just take the screen away. Give them something better.

Enter: Funky Monkey Bars.

Our outdoor play sets are a magnet for curious, energetic kids. Whether they’re swinging, climbing, flipping or hanging upside-down like a ninja bat, there’s something magical about having their own backyard adventure zone. It's the kind of physical activity that keeps them moving and smiling, with all the benefits of play that screens just can’t match.

Our equipment is also fully modular. You can build a setup that grows with your kids and fits your space. Have a smaller backyard? No problem. Start with a compact set of monkey bars, then add on over time with accessories like a flying fox, bird’s nest swing, ninja grips or even a boxing bag. The possibilities are as big as their imaginations.

Step 2: Make It a Game

Kids love screens because they deliver levels, goals, and quick rewards. Bring that same sense of achievement into the backyard.

Try a few ideas like:

  • Obstacle Course Olympics: Time your kids as they dash through monkey bars, balance beams, and climbing ladders. Costumes encouraged.
  • Backyard Bingo: Create a bingo card with challenges like ‘hang for 20 seconds,' 'do five star jumps,' or 'swing and sing a song.’
  • Parent vs. Kid Challenge: Let your kids try to beat your monkey bar score. Spoiler: they probably will.

These little moments give outdoor play purpose and energy, tapping into the same brain rewards that video games rely on.

Young boy smiling and hanging upside down on a Funky Monkey Bars frame, enjoying playful backyard fun.

Step 3: Let Them Take the Lead

A great way to reduce screen time is to give kids more choice in how they play. Whether it’s younger kids wanting independence or older children craving control, offering them ownership is a game-changer.

Funky Monkey Bars lets them do just that. With customisable setups, they can choose their colours, attachments and layout. That sense of pride goes a long way in making outdoor play something they want to do.

You can also get them involved in creating new routines. For example, try a rule like ‘no screens until 30 minutes of outside time.’ Or set a regular rhythm: after school means outside play first, then screen time later. Over time, it becomes second nature.

Step 4: Make It Social

Kids thrive on face-to-face connections. Whether it’s collaborating, competing, or just laughing with friends, social play is a key part of growing up.

So invite a few mates over. Neighbours, cousins, school friends, any crew will do. Funky Monkey Bars turns your backyard into a mini playground, the kind everyone wants to visit. It’s the perfect backdrop for birthday parties, weekend hangouts, or a simple after-school catch-up.

And the best part? You get a moment to yourself. Because when the kids are outside having a blast, you might just get to enjoy a coffee in peace.

Step 5: Play Along (Sometimes)

We know you’re busy. But when you do join in on the fun, even for ten minutes, the benefits are huge.

Climbing, swinging, and racing your kids; it doesn’t just get your body moving, it creates a meaningful connection. These small bursts of time show your kids that fun doesn’t always come from a screen.

And yes, we design our equipment to handle grown-ups too. So don’t worry about weight limits. We’ve got you covered.

Step 6: Replace Screens with Something Just as Cool

Sometimes kids watch TV or scroll through boredom, not because they genuinely love it. When there’s nothing else to do, the screen fills the space.

Try swapping screen time for creative, hands-on alternatives:

  • Start a garden: Let them plant strawberries or sunflowers beside the monkey bars.
  • Create an outdoor art station: Use chalk, paint, water balloons, anything messy and fun.
  • Build a fort: Drape some sheets over the bars and create an instant hideout.
These activities are simple, flexible, and often spark more imaginative play than you'd expect. Sometimes, less structure leads to more creativity.

 

Close-up of a child's bare feet climbing a Funky Monkey Bars frame, featuring the 'Australian Made and Owned' label on the upright post.

Why Funky Monkey Bars Works

We’re not just in the business of monkey bars; we’re in the business of building backyard adventures.

Funky Monkey Bars is the go-to for families wondering how to get kids off screens, and here’s why:

  • Australian Made: We build our frames right here in Perth to withstand tough Aussie weather and all the backyard wear and tear kids can throw at them.
  • Modular Magic: You can start small and build big. Our designs grow with your kids, with heaps of add-ons to keep things exciting.
  • Built to Last: We use rust-proof steel and weather-resistant finishes to create frames that handle years of jumping, swinging, and hanging out.
  • Parent Approved: Thousands of mums and dads have seen the difference; happier, more active kids and way less screen-time stress.

It’s not just play equipment, it’s an upgrade to your everyday. A way to reclaim family time, inspire imagination, and turn your backyard into the fun zone your kids won’t want to leave.

Young girl smiling while climbing on a Funky Monkey Bars monkey bar frame, with a Combat Ladder and bright modular rungs in the background.

Start Small, Think Big with Funky Monkey Bars

If you’re tired of the daily battle over screen time and ready to bring the fun back outside, Funky Monkey Bars is here for you.

Proudly made in Australia, our equipment is strong, safe and built to grow with your kids. Whether you’ve got young children just learning to climb or older children looking for a challenge, we’ve got a setup that will keep them moving, laughing and building confidence.

So if you’ve been wondering how to get kids off screens, this is your moment. Create a backyard space that encourages movement, imagination and those all-important face-to-face moments that screens can never replace.

Explore our range or contact our team today and kickstart your family’s screen-free adventure.

Back to News