Watch NZH Local Focus: Change their iPad for a real pad

Every parent knows - it's a constant struggle managing children's screen time.

Experts recommend no more than two hours of screen time daily, less for children under five. Yet more and more, studies are finding that kids are glued to their devices for between 4.5 and 6.5 hours a day.

Rotorua artist Lani Eyles is passionate about providing alternative options that kids will enjoy.

"I'd love, as an artist myself, to be able to get back into an eight-year-old brain and think the way an eight-year old does, but I just can't do it."

Ms Eyles runs after-school art classes for 6-13 year olds and says she wants to get kids off their smart devices and into their creative minds.

"Living in a screen world is not the real world and of course there is going to be problems with that, so I think it's really important that there is a balance."

She says the classes provide a place where children can explore their own ideas and the arty side of their personalities.

"I like to create this environment where there is complete freedom. I always provide a motivation each day, and the children are free, within that, to do whatever it is they feel takes them on the day."

The children have an hour-and-a-half to get creative in any way they like.

"I like drawing, that's really what I like," says Jayda Meelker.

"Um, doing all the art what we do here," says Sahara Katene.

"Probably the little things we are putting on our wreaths. Because I think they just look so cool aye!" says Delta-Eliza Kitson.

"Probably drawing and just creating things," says Jacob Snyman.

Adrian Kitson says his daughter, Delta does use devices at home. But she wanted to get stuck into activities away from a screen.

"We are busy every day, we are just about to go to gymnastics. But it's because that's what she want's to do."

With the Christmas holidays around the corner, children will have even more hours in the day to play on their devices.

But Ms Eyles has the perfect answer, more classes over summer to get kids back into the art room.

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