Unplug and reconnect with 24 hours of family fun during the Global Day of Unplugging!

unplug by Andres Amador 2400
Photo courtesy of Andres Amador

Celebrate the annual Global Day of Unplugging, an event dedicated to family connection. This year the event starts at sundown on Friday, March 3 and runs until sundown on Saturday, March 4. The dedicated family day centers around putting devices to “sleep” and focusing on loved ones. There are no social media check-ins, just living in the moment through art, music, recreation and play. So, what’s the best way to focus on family and reconnect? The Unplug Collaborative has 50 ideas on its website for tech-free fun. Here are a few favorites.

fort night 2400
Create Fort Night (not Fortnite) Fun!
Build a fort with boxes, toss blankets over a table or create an A-frame with couch cushions. Fill it with family, plush friends, flashlights and books. Make a picnic. Try an alternative to traditional s’mores (www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/21-ways-to-make-smores), pretend the power is out and camp in the living room. IKEA offers instructions on Instagram for those who lack architectural fort skills, or use Noodle Builder Girders (durable, foam connectors) and pool noodles to create forts with doors that open and close. 

I UNPLUG forWE UNPLUG for
Print out the “We Unplug For" (or “I Unplug For”) sign above,
fill it in and take some photos (before sunset) holding up your signs to let others know how you’re spending your screen-free time. Then share your unplugged adventures on IG @SanDiegoFamilyMagazine with hashtags #GlobalDayofUnplugging and #ShareSanDiegoFamily (but not until the next day because you’re tech-free, remember?).

book box 2400
Join a Little Free Library Scavenger Hunt

Unplug Collaborative has partnered with Little Free Libraries (LFL) throughout San Diego County in the past where registered families followed clues to participating LFLs and picked up free, used books and/or prizes. Check the Unplug Collaborative website to see if (and how) they'll be participating this year.

London kaye 2400
Take Your Art Public

Get inspired by artists Andres Amador and London Kaye, who create public art. Amador is an environmental artist who creates beautiful mandalas in sand, using a rake. He filmed a movie at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) showing beachgoers how to make an ephemeral sand drawing, and a video short on making nature art in the backyard.

Kaye is a yarn-bomber who teaches would-be urban artists how to crochet simple pieces on chain link fences and trees. Her instructions and supplies are available on the Unplug Collaborative website. Kaye’s Crochet for a Cause movement inspires artists to crochet signs for people moving from homelessness into a safe living environment.

Sculptor Andy Goldsworthy takes rock stacking and nature art to another level. The Early Years Learning Framework offers downloadable lessons for creating Goldsworthy-type art with young children at www.andygoldsworthy101.weebly.com/index.html. Locally, kids might gain inspiration from The Sandcastle Man, whose gravity-defying creations grace Coronado beaches and private events.

More Fun
Additional “unplug and connect” ideas include participating in mindful practices like yoga and meditation, taking a bike ride, heading to the snow for a sledding adventure or having a family dance party. Families can also volunteer or delve into a big home project, such as cleaning up the garden and celebrating with a tea party (complete with fancy dresses and hats). Let’s hope this dedicated full day inspires more days (or even hours) of screen-free family fun.


Resources

Global Day of Unplugging
Consider registering here (it’s free). There are optional paid upgrades with special offers, such as cell phone “sleeping bags” and other goodies.

Discover 24 Ways to Connect with Nature in San Diego!

Yarn bomber/artist, London Kaye

Environmental artist, Andres Amador

Coronado’s Sandcastle Man, Bill Pavlacka

Emily Dolton is a local artist and Global Day of Unplugging Ambassador.

Here's how we spent Day of Unplugging 2021 in San Diego:

Unplugged 21 kids2

Unplugged 21 helments

Unplugged 21 kids

unplugged 21 emily

Unplug2021 bike

We’d love to see how you spend your screen-free days throughout the year! Share your family’s adventures on social media with the hashtags #GlobalDayofUnplugging and #ShareSanDiegoFamily. Be sure to tag @SanDiegoFamilyMagazine. 

________________

Apple Picking in San Diego 2023

Apple Picking in San Diego 2023

San Diego County apple orchards open for apple picking in 2023. Apple-picking season typically starts in late August/ early September and often ends in mid-October (or when orchards run out of apple . . .

Read more

Ways to Celebrate Grandparents on Grandparents Day

Ways to Celebrate Grandparents on Grandparents Day

Ways to Celebrate Grandparents on Grandparents Day! Marian McQuade of West Virginia began with the simple idea of supporting the elderly in nursing homes, and ended with a national holiday, Grandpa . . .

Read more

How to Stay Connected with Grandparents Who Live Far Away

How to Stay Connected with Grandparents Who Live Far Away

Those who live far from their children’s grandparents know that maintaining a special connection from afar is difficult—but it’s not impossible. Here are ways to keep kids in touch with long-d . . .

Read more

San Diego Family Fun Fest - Halloween!

San Diego Family Fun Fest - Halloween!

Embrace the eerie excitement at the FREE San Diego Family Fun Fest Halloween! Join us Sunday, October 22nd, 10 am to 1 pm at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Corner Zone (6845 University Ave. 92115) . . .

Read more

Fun Fall Traditions in San Diego

Fun Fall Traditions in San Diego

Traditions create family closeness and make memories that last a lifetime. If your family doesn’t already have fall traditions, try some of these ideas—you’re sure to look forward to them each . . .

Read more

Celebrate Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead): Fun crafts and recipes for kids and families

Celebrate Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead): Fun crafts and recipes for kids and families

Día de Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated annually on November 1 & 2. It’s a beautiful tribute to loved ones who have passed away. The tribute typically includes an ofrenda (or . . .

Read more

Spooktacular Halloween & Fall Activities in San Diego 2023

Spooktacular Halloween & Fall Activities in San Diego 2023

San Diego's spooktacular Halloween and fall events include costume contests, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, trick-or-treat spots, not-so-spooky encounters and other haunted happenings.  **Don't . . .

Read more

Awesome Family Halloween Costumes

Awesome Family Halloween Costumes

Looking for family Halloween costume inspiration? It is SO FUN to get creative and plan a group costume! Whether you make them or buy them, start by getting inspired by these local families— San Die . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe