Connect. Create. Celebrate
Family toolkit: Jack Hits the Road
Kids Unplugged hits the trails!
Jack shows us how to send it mountain biking, roll up our sleeves to help in the community and an take an epic road trip to Wellington!
Let’s Ponder & Pātai Together
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Play: Jack describes feeling “unhealthy” and “unhappy” before he discovered mountain biking. In what ways can hobbies, movement, or outdoor activities support health and wellbeing?
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Discover: When Jack decided to bike to Parliament, he said many people thought he was “crazy.” Why is it important to stand up for something you believe in even when others don’t understand?
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Unplug: Finding mountain biking and helping others gave Jack a new focus beyond gaming. Why do you think having meaningful activities can make it easier to step away from screens?
Activity Ideas
community kindness project
Choose one simple way to help in your community this weekend.
Ideas could include:
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litter clean-up
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baking for someone
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volunteering together
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writing thank-you notes
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supporting a local charity
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helping neighbours with their garden/yard
Discuss how helping others creates connection and purpose.
family adventure challenge
As a family, choose an outdoor activity that feels a bit of a challenge that you can all try together.
Some ideas include...
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endurance bike along local trails
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an extended family walk or hike
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beach or park clean-up
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backyard obstacle course
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community volunteering
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exploring somewhere new
Encourage each other through difficult moments and reflect on overcoming, growth and strength.
Stand up for something
As a family, discuss issues or causes you care about. Broadly, one might be something to do with...
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environment
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fairness
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animal care
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health & well-being
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poverty
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equality
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safety
After some research, brainstorm a bunch of practical, screen-free actions you could take and then choose one activity to do together.
parent reflection
How can we help our children build resilience, purpose and confidence through real-world experiences beyond screens?
explore further with whānau...
Play mode
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What things did Jack say or do that you found inspiring or interesting?
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What healthy habits help you feel your best?
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Consider why helping people often makes us feel good too.
discover mode
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Jack said, “I’m going to stand up against this.” Describe ways you notice courage in everyday life.
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What causes or issues do you care about?
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Jack rode long distances in cold and rain. What’s something difficult you’ve pushed through recently? What helps you keep going during hard things?
unplug mode
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What do you think Jack meant when he talked about his “dopamine being stuffed” from constant gaming and phone use?
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Jack didn’t stop using screens overnight — what does his story teach us about patience and change?
Five years ago, I was really overweight, I was unhealthy, I was unhappy.
I had some really stuffed dopamine – my base level was watching 5 phones and playing 10 video games all at once.
Even though I hated the sound of mountain biking,
I decided I’d give it a go.
It sparked something.
- Jack Karetai-Barrett