Ever tried outsmarting the light switch monster? Or caught a fan running with no one around? Welcome to the Kids’ Energy Challenge: Switch Off – where being eco-wise means saving power and having fun doing it.

Energy is like invisible gold. It keeps our homes bright, devices charged and toast perfectly crispy – but wasting it hurts the planet. The mission? Become Switch-Off Superstars by turning off lights, screens and gadgets when they’re not being used.

How to play

Step 1: Form Your Switch-Off Squad

• Gather your crew: friends, classmates, siblings or family members.
• Give your squad a cool name (e.g. “The Watt Watchers” or “Eco Avengers”).
• Decide how long you’ll play – daily, weekly, or as a month-long challenge.
  

Step 2: Understand the Power Moves

Every time you take eco-friendly action, you earn points for your squad. The more you rack up, the closer you are to becoming a Switch-Off Superstar! Here are some examples of power saving moves.

Power-Saving Move	Points Earned
Turn off lights when leaving a room	+1
Power down TVs, tablets, and computers	+2
Unplug chargers once your device is full	+2
Use fans or aircon only when truly needed	+3
Catch and stop someone else’s energy waste	+5
Make and share a reminder poster or eco tip	+5

Step 3: Track Your Progress

• Create a score chart with everyone’s name and total points. The more points you collect, the closer you are to superhero status – cape optional but recommended. 
• At the end of the week (or time period of your challenge), crown a “Switch-Off Superstar” and celebrate their eco-smarts.
• Try using a simple graph or leaderboard to show growth and teamwork.

Step 4: Add Bonus Fun

• Make posters to remind others to switch off and decorate your space.
• Snap before-and-after pics of energy-saving actions.
• Try adding random “Power Challenges” like blackout hour (no devices!) or a lights-off treasure hunt.

Step 5: Share Your Impact

• Keep a tally of how many lights/screens you switch off each day.
• At the end of the challenge, estimate how much energy you’ve saved.
• Share your results to your class, family or community group to inspire others!

Why it matters

Energy doesn’t come from thin air. In Australia, most electricity still comes from burning coal or gas, which releases carbon dioxide into the air. That pollution contributes to climate change and affects animals, oceans and even weather. But when we use less power, we reduce that pollution. Big actions start small – like flipping a switch.

Your challenge starts now

Want to join the fun? You can design posters, track your Switch-Off stats, and even recruit teachers or parents. Every light left off counts. 

So grab your clipboard, power down and let’s prove that big changes start with small switch flicks. You’ve got the energy – use it wisely. 

Want to take even more action to reduce your emissions? Try our free Carbon Calculator!