The UnPluggEd Project

October 5-9, 2026

The UnPluggEd Project is a collaborative effort between Smartphone Free Childhood US and the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project.

Check out the ideas below to support healthy childhood development, and consider taking the tech-free challenge with your family the week of October 5!

Mild: 1 Day

Medium: 2-3 Days

Spicy: Full Week

Family Challenge Ideas

Reading Challenge
Set aside 20–30 minutes each evening for family reading. Everyone reads. No devices. No multitasking. Just books.

Game Night
Choose games that encourage strategy, collaboration, communication, and problem solving. Ideas include Ticket to Ride, Catan, Uno, chess, checkers, and Scrabble.

Family Walk
Take a walk together. Consider discussing: What was the best part of your day? What did you learn today? What surprised you this week?

Family Meal Challenge
Commit to one device-free meal each day during the week. Use the opportunity for conversation and connection.

Create Something Together
Build a fort, paint a mural, create a family scrapbook, make a time capsule, or design a family flag.

Cook Together
Allow children to measure ingredients, follow recipes, practice math skills, and learn kitchen safety.

Learn a New Skill
Examples: origami, knitting, gardening, drawing, photography, birdwatching.

Write Letters
Encourage children to write to grandparents, friends, teachers, or future selves.

Family Storytelling Night
Share stories about childhood memories, family traditions, funny experiences, or historical events witnessed by family members; create a progressive story by taking turns making up a section or sentence.

For Families New to Limiting Screen Time

Start small. The goal is not perfection. Choose one or two activities that fit your family’s interests and schedule. Small changes, repeated consistently, can have a meaningful impact over time.

Family Reflection

At the end of the week, consider discussing:

▪ What did we enjoy?

▪ What challenged us?

▪ What helped us connect?

▪ What would we like to continue?

The UnPluggEd Project is not about one week. It is about creating opportunities to rediscover experiences that help children, families, and communities thrive.

Community Activities

Visit the Library

Many libraries offer reading programs, community events, educational activities, and maker spaces.

Explore Local Parks

Nature walks, hiking, scavenger hunts, wildlife observation.

Visit Museums

Encourage curiosity through science museums, art museums, and local history museums.

Volunteer Together

Food banks, community cleanups, animal shelters, senior centers.

Attend Community Events

Support local festivals, concerts, farmers markets, and sporting events.

Conversation Starters

The most valuable part of The UnPluggEd Project may simply be talking together. Try asking:

▪ What was different about today?

▪ What was easier without screens?

▪ What was harder?

▪ What was the most interesting thing you learned?

▪ Did anything surprise you?

▪ What activity would you like to do more often?