A bold new youth web series is putting the call out to tamariki and rangatahi who prefer mud over memes and bush tracks over TikTok.

‘Kids Unplugged’, a vibrant new digital show created by kids, for kids, is now casting young outdoor adventurers from across the Bay of Plenty.

Hosted by the adventurous Steel Brothers—Malachi, 14, Judah, 12, and Ezra, 7 — ‘Kids Unplugged’ takes young viewers on a journey through New Zealand’s natural world, meeting kids who are making waves in the wild.

The Steel brothers snowboarding. Photo/Supplied.

From scaling cliffs and shredding trails to planting trees and protecting native wildlife, the show aims to spotlight everyday young people who thrive off-grid and outdoors.

Producer Kylie DellaBarca Steel said they are looking for kids who love the outdoors, who are curious, courageous, and connected to the land and their communities.

“From courageous kids conquering adventure sports to passionate conservation volunteers, from families living sustainably off-grid to guardians of indigenous wildlife—'Kids Unplugged’ is all about celebrating the many amazing ways our young ones connect with and thrive in the world around them,” DellaBarca Steel said.

Casting is now open for any young adventurers who want to share their passion for the outdoors in 'Kids Unplugged' a new web series. Photo/Supplied.

This series is about celebrating those kids and giving them a platform to share their stories.

At its core, ‘Kids Unplugged’ is more than just entertainment—it’s a movement. With youth mental health concerns rising and screen time reaching record highs, the show promotes resilience, wellbeing, and connection through nature and play. It also places a strong emphasis on youth-led storytelling, giving young people a chance to shine both on camera and behind the scenes.

The Steel brothers snowboarding. Photo/Supplied.

“With tamariki spending up to a third of their after-school time on screens and New Zealand’s youth suicide rate among the highest in the OECD, ‘Kids Unplugged’ is part of a wider social movement to restore health and wellbeing for our young ones,” DellaBarca Steel said.

“It’s about reducing the harm of screens and social media while inspiring a generation to value immersive, play-based experiences.”

Donations will support the production and help bring more youth stories to screens across New Zealand. Image/Supplied.

Casting is now open, and families are encouraged to apply if they know a young adventurer ready to share their passion. Applications can be submitted at https://tinyurl.com/kidsunplugged-talent

The series is currently crowdfunding through the Arts Foundation’s Boosted platform, with the campaign set to close on June 27. Donations will support the production and help bring more youth stories to screens across Aotearoa.

To donate or learn more, visit: thearts.co.nz/boosted/projects/kids-unplugged

For partnership opportunities or more information, contact: Anton Steel on anton.steel@gmail.com