Let’s be honest – screens have become the babysitter, the peacekeeper and sometimes the only way we get to drink a coffee while it’s still hot. But deep down, we all know the truth: the glow of those devices is stealing more time than we’d like to admit. That’s why Yoto’s Big Switch Off is the perfect excuse to reset.
Aussie families are being challenged to unplug for a full 24 hours. On Friday 12 September 2025, households across the country will put down devices, turn off the screens, and switch on imagination, creativity and connection.
Who is Yoto we hear you ask? They’re a screen-free, ad-free, mic-free audio player that’s flipping the script and giving Aussie kids (and their frazzled parents) a new way to switch on imagination while switching off the screens.
Why Yoto’s Big Switch Off Matters
The numbers don’t lie.
Parents are clocking nearly 4 hours a day on personal screens.
That’s 14 whole years of scrolling in a lifetime.
And no, doom scrolling Instagram at 11pm doesn’t count as “me-time”.
Kids aren’t far behind, racking up 3 hours a day before high school … that’s two years of childhood lost by age 18.
And parents know it.
- Nearly 8 in 10 admit their screen habits are rubbing off on their kids
- More than 50% feel guilty about it.
- But still, 87% of us are sneaking a peek at our phones during playtime.
Ouch.
Screens might be convenient, but they spark meltdowns when it’s time to turn them off, crush creativity, and fuel late-night blue light battles that keep kids wide-eyed at bedtime.
That’s why Yoto’s Big Switch Off is the perfect excuse to reset.
Meet Yoto: The Screen-Free Lifesaver
Forget the endless battles over iPads and YouTube – Yoto hands back independence to kids without the flashing lights, autoplay ads or background noise.
Inspired by Montessori principles, Yoto gives little ones the freedom to play their own way. They just pop in a Yoto card, and boom: stories, music, learning and imagination unleashed.
The content library is stacked – from award-winning originals to Disney favourites, Roald Dahl adventures, music, meditations and podcasts for kids. It’s basically the cool club for curious minds.
No screens. No mics. No worries. Just safe, simple, independent play that actually builds creativity and calm (two things most households could use a little more of).
TIME Magazine even named Yoto one of the Best Inventions of 2020.
How to Make the Most of Yoto’s Big Switch Off
Okay, so the idea of going cold turkey might sound terrifying. What with 24 hours without Paw Patrol, or Minecraft, and no sneaky Netflix binge once the kids are in bed. But Yoto’s got your back – and psychologist and parenting expert Dr Deirdre Brandner has hot tips to make it fun:
- Prep the fam: Give the kids the heads-up. “Tomorrow we’re trying something new – 24 hours with no screens.”
- Hide the hardware: Remotes and tablets go in a box marked “Sleeping”. Out of sight, out of mind.
- Own your tech habits: Set your phone to greyscale, pop an auto-reply on, stash the chargers.
- Create swaps: Yoto players, board games, paints and puzzles – analogue is back, baby.
- Boredom busters: Pipe cleaners, Play-Doh, scavenger hunts – embrace the chaos.
- Anchor events: Morning walk, backyard picnic, bedtime story – give the day rhythm.
- Calm corners: Cushions, stress balls, books – a safe nook for when the day feels big.
25 Fun Things to Do During Yoto’s Big Switch Off
Think you’ll run out of things to do without screens? Not a chance. Here are 25 ways to fill your day with laughs, creativity and connection – no glowing rectangles required.
- Treasure hunt in the backyard – hide toys or treats and draw a simple map.
- Bake something together – kids love cracking eggs and licking the spoon.
- Make a cubby house – pillows, blankets and fairy lights turn the lounge into magic.
- Go on a nature walk – collect leaves, sticks and rocks, then create art when you get home.
- Dance party – crank some tunes and let everyone pick a song.
- Board game marathon – Monopoly, UNO, Guess Who – let the battles begin.
- Craft station – pipe cleaners, paper, glue and glitter (if you’re brave).
- DIY obstacle course – chairs, ropes, laundry baskets – ready, set, go!
- Backyard sports – cricket, soccer, footy or frisbee – doesn’t matter who wins.
- Story time with Yoto – load up a card and let imaginations fly.
- Scavenger hunt indoors – find “something red, something soft, something noisy.”
- Cook a family dinner together – let the kids play sous chef.
- Lego or block building challenge – tallest tower wins.
- Picnic in the park (or backyard) – pack sandwiches and eat under the sky.
- Water play – buckets, sponges and bubbles for the little ones.
- DIY science experiment – vinegar and bicarb “volcano” is always a hit.
- Jigsaw puzzle on the dining table – leave it out and add to it all day.
- Plant something – herbs, flowers or veggies in pots or the garden.
- Make a time capsule – fill a box with drawings, letters and little treasures.
- Create a family talent show – singing, dancing, magic tricks – applause mandatory.
- Paper plane contest – test for distance, tricks and crash landings.
- Write a silly story together – each person adds a sentence.
- Play “Would You Rather?” – cue the giggles.
- Chalk art on the driveway – masterpieces that wash away in the rain.
- Stargazing before bed – grab a blanket, lie outside and spot constellations.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the kicker: kids don’t just need screen-free time, they crave it. It’s in those “boring” moments that imaginations go wild. Cardboard boxes become rocket ships, backyards become jungles, stories take on a life of their own.
And it’s not just about kids. Parents stand to gain too. One day off screens might mean an uninterrupted conversation with your partner, a proper belly laugh with your kids or even a sneaky nap without a notification buzzing in your ear.
Screens are here to stay, but balance is the goal. And Yoto’s Big Switch Off is the perfect reset button.
Time to Join the Movement
So, are you in? One day, no screens, all imagination. Think of it as a digital detox with built-in fun.
Because when we switch off, we actually switch on the good stuff – connection, creativity and calm. And let’s be honest, every Aussie family could do with a little more of that.
This is a sponsored post for Yoto’s Big Switch Off
