Families are using technology more than ever before. From busy parents searching for new recipes to our teens recreating their favorite dance moves, our time on technology has moved way beyond homework and job responsibilities. As parents we try to monitor the time our children are spending on the internet and passively joke about changing the Wi-Fi password without telling anyone.
But can our kids really turn it all off? Better yet, can you?
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National Day of Unplugging is an awareness campaign promoting a 24-hour respite from technology. It is annually observed the first weekend in March each year. The organization behind National Day of Unplugging, Unplug Collaborative, says more than 135,000 people have participated in events hosted by over 1,000 schools, religious institutions, and businesses worldwide over the last 13 years. The 2024 challenge takes places March 1 and 2.
While many of us depend on technology for work or daily responsibilities, both parents and children alike are scrolling through multiple apps and spending mindless hours of time on our gadgets.
While many of us depending on technology for work and school, we need to find ways to incorporate healthy breaks away from our screens. Want to take part in this year's campaign, but you are not sure how to get your family to fill those hours without technology? We have 10 ideas for you to go screen-free as a family.
1. Get outside
Get outside and enjoy nature together! There is nothing better than that first trip to City Park in New Iberia when Spring is just around the corner. The weather is perfect and energizing as it can easily breathe new life into you and your children.
Make a pact with the kids, and yourself, and agree to stay off the gadgets for the afternoon. While you are out there, gather some materials to create some homemade art projects too. Check out this article from the archives Kid Craft: Painting with Nature and find out what you can create together with the kids.
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2. Play
This sounds simple enough, but it's surprising how little time many children have most days for open play. Free play is so beneficial for children of all ages! Let your children run wild with imagination by giving them free hours to just PLAY. And better yet.. go play with them!
Show them some of the games we played as kids (you know, the games we played outside until the streetlights came on?) Get a game of hopscotch going, do some double-dutch jumping, 1 2 3 Red Light, or Red Rover (that was my favorite!)
3. Host a friendly competition
Gather the family for a board game bonanza! Break out the family favorites or introduce a new game or two. We always love a good game of UNO or Monopoly.
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4. Build
Build with cardboard boxes, LEGOs, blocks, toothpicks, or whatever else you can think of! Hold a family building competition or work together to create an epic project. (We love Legos!)
5. Read
Crack open those books and cuddle up together on the couch for a reading marathon. Or start a book together as a family. This will give you the opportunity to come back and have even more time away from the screens.
Why not take the day to visit one of our amazing local libraries! Check out our events calendar for upcoming family events, arts and crafts programs, story times, any other non-gadget related fun that can build quality time with your family.
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6. Encourage sensory play
This is perfect for either indoor or outdoor play with Littles! Check out one of these sensory themed projects and get crafting:
How to Create a Winter Wonderland Sensory Bin
Easy Rainbow Activities To Do With Kids
Sensory Bags Are The Best Toy You'll Never Hear About
Chill Out With This Ice Sensory Activity for Kids
7. Clean
It's never too early to begin spring cleaning! This is a great time of year to declutter, sort, and donate. Your kiddos can definitely help with the process and feel great donating some unwanted items to those in need! Check out our article Take Control of the Kids' Messy Rooms to get some tips on getting your kids to clean.. and have fun while doing it.
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8. Discover a new hobby together
From knitting to playing an instrument, and everything in between — what have you always wanted to learn, but haven't? Now is the time! Older kids might want to participate as well and it's a great way to connect with your kids as you learn together.
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9. Create art
Consider not giving your child a craft or end goal — just let them create! This is called process art, which is open-ended art making. The goal is to give the child the freedom to self-direct, make choices, and give them the freedom to discover and create without expectation. With process art, the end product is always unique — and likely not what you expect! The goal is the creation of the work, not the outcome.
One of the easiest ways to create art is to put on some good music and paint or draw to the beat of the tunes! Create a playlist with your kids, with music from all generations, grab some paint, markers, colors, and get going! I did this last year and it was one of the most enjoyable things I did as an adult to let my creative side flow.
10. Go on a mini adventure around town
Explore! Go on a mural hunt. We have a few down Main Street in New Iberia. But why not head over to downtown Franklin, Abbeville, or Breaux Bridge and see how many you can find there! Check out the local guides linked here in this article that offer all the details on local walking tours.
Visit a museum you haven't been to before, or revisit a favorite. Bike ride down along Bayou Teche and enjoy all the local scenery that New Iberia has to offer. Who knows? Maybe you and your kids will have so much fun going screen-free you might decide to make it a regular event for your family.
Happy unplugging!
