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ABC News (Australia)·Australia·Monday, September 28, 2026 at 06:30 PM

Your guilt-free guide to screen time these school holidays

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Ruth Barber

A split image of a man, a bubble and a woman all smiling — When it comes to school holiday viewing, not all screen time is created equal.

School holidays. A time for families to relax and connect (theoretically at least).

In reality, it can be a juggle that has parents digging deep into the parenting toolkit to survive the fortnight with minimal tears and tantrums (from all parties).

So, these holidays, we've prepared a screen time survival guide, with kids shows matched to what you need in the moment. And the best bit? They're all free to stream.

🚘Road trip time

When you've got time to kill and would prefer not to hear "are we there yet?" on a loop.

Little Kids

Tummy Tom

An orange cartoon cat walking on a clothesline

🕖 1 hr 🥰 Wholesome

Zog: The Series

Zog: The Series

🕖 11 min 📚 Book-to-screen

Big Kids

Little Lunch

Little Lunch

🕖 13 min 🤭 Funny

Aussie Bush Tales

An illustration of a group of Aboriginal people, three men and one woman, sitting around a campfire

🕖 10 min 📚 Book-to-screen

Do Not Watch This Show

Do Not Watch This Show

🕖 11 min 📚 Book-to-screen

☔ Rainy day activities

When the local playground is off-limits but there's energy to burn and you're all out of ideas.

Little Kids

Dance With Tom

A man with his hand up on his head and his elbow bent

🕖 5 min 🪃 First Nations

Ready, Steady, Wiggle!

Ready, Steady, Wiggle!

🕖 11 min 🎶 Singalong

Gardening Australia Junior

Gardening Australia Junior

🕖 11 min 🧠 Learning

Big Kids

GG: Spawn Squad

Lots of children's faces in a collage

🕖 15 min 🎮 Gaming

Let's Dance

Students pose in a dance studio

🕖 7 min 🕺 Movement

🤫 Winding down

Low-stimulation shows to help pacify the kids after a rambunctious lounge room dance party or play date.

Little Kids

The Sound Collector

The Sound Collector

🕖 5 min 🙏 Low-stim

Fizzy And Suds

Two bubbles with faces float over the beach

🕖 11 min 🧠 Learning

🍝 Cooking dinner

A solid block of distraction-free time is the goal here, so you can do what needs doing.

Little Kids

The Scarecrows' Wedding

Two scarecrows smiling at each other lovingly

🕖 25 min 📚 Book-to-screen

Play School

A man and woman smiling while on stage

🕖 25 min 🎨 Creative

Flower and Flour

Group of six smiling children and a chubby white cat posing confidently outdoors.

🕖 7 min 🥰 Wholesome

Big Kids

Hard Quiz Kids

A man pulling snarky faces at little kids

🕖 30 min 🤭 Funny

Teenage Boss: Next Level

A woman holding up a suitcase of cash while smiling

🕖 28 min 🧠 Learning

🍿 Family movie night

Put down the iPads, and solidify the family bond with some old-fashioned co-viewing.

Paddington

A bear with a red hat and tag around its neck

🕖 1 hr 30 min 🥰 Wholesome

Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium

A movie poster showing Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman standing in a magical toy shop

🕖 1 hr 30 min 🪄 Magical

Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas

A farmer stands with his llamas, sheep and dogs

🕖 28 min 🤭 Funny

🛌 Pre-bed prompt

If your normal routine is thrown off, use these gentle shows to signal that it's time for some shut-eye

View the original on ABC News (Australia) →

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