This week's cover story was written exclusively for USA WEEKEND by the editors of Disney FamilyFun magazine.
Fun Facts
And don’t forget these fun ways to take a vacation from technology:
Have everyone suggest a game or activity for your unplugged weekend.
Go on a tiny treasure hunt hike.
Set up an activity center.
Have a blackout night.
Record memories of your unplugged weekend.
More
From the editors of Disney FamilyFun magazineTake a deep breath. Now, tell the kids to unplug from all electronic entertainment Friday evening to Monday morning.
It may seem like an impossible feat for everyone in your family to ditch video games, e-mail and TV for 48 hours. But with enticing activities, unplugging actually can be easy and fun to do. Plus, it can strengthen your family ties. The editors of Disney FamilyFun magazine convinced us with these alternatives to such tried-and-true favorites as playing board games or baking chocolate chip cookies.
Go on, give it a try. We think you’ll enjoy it!
Start your unplugged weekend.
Before Friday, explain that each family member must suggest a game or an activity for your unplugged weekend. It doesn’t have to be new or elaborate, just something that involves everyone. Tell spooky stories, take a hike in a nature reserve, go ice-skating or play a card game. Not only will your kids have fun, but we also bet these good old-fashioned activities will become family favorites.
Enjoy a fun, easy breakfast.
Kick off the weekend with a special family breakfast on Saturday morning. Set up a sundae bar: Fill parfait glasses with fresh fruit, such as berries or peach slices, as well as a few spoonfuls of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola. Top each healthful treat with a cherry and eat with a long-handled spoon.
Go on a tiny treasure hunt hike.
To keep everyone moving along the trail on a nature walk, play a fun game. Give each family member a matching small container, such as a mint tin or a zippered plastic bag, and challenge everyone to fill it with items from the great outdoors in a certain amount of time. Offer prizes for the person who gets the most objects, the widest variety of items or the most things in one color.
Liven up dinner conversation.
Take some small pieces of paper and write questions on them, such as, “If you could have a superpower, which one would you want?” “What does it mean to be a best friend?” “What’s your favorite movie?” Then, fill a large, empty jar with the questions. Each family member takes a turn picking a question to answer while the rest of the family listens, learns and laughs.
Try prop charades.
Play this fun improv game by choosing a prop, such as an empty paper towel tube, and take turns acting out zany ways to use it (spyglass for a pirate, Lady Liberty’s torch). Other possible props are pillows, boxes, utensils and place mats. As in charades, the object of the game is to guess what’s being performed.
Set up an activity center.
Establish an area in your home where you and your children can get creative. Put out colored pencils and paper, modeling clay or watercolor sets on a plastic-covered table, and the kids -- and even you -- will want to get busy with a hands-on project.
Play a family trivia game.
Before your unplugged weekend, come up with 20 or 25 questions about your extended family. Think along the lines of, “What was great-grandfather Thompson’s profession?” “What was Aunt Katherine’s nickname in high school?” “What country did the Krasner side of the family come from?” “Against what team did Dad score the winning touchdown during his senior year in high school?” “What was the name of Grandma Alice’s dog?”
You can either ask the questions to each family member in turn or write them on little cards and let each member select a question to answer. Keep score and award a prize that’s meaningful to your family, such as a favorite treat, a T-shirt representing your family’s favorite sports team or a framed favorite family photograph.
Have a blackout night.
When darkness hits, keep the lights off in the house and light candles instead. Turning off the lights will change the whole mood and atmosphere of your home. You’ll be amazed by how quickly voices become hushed. You’ll actually hear more -- the breeze outside, the sound of the cat purring and the stories your kids tell.
Record memories.
In a prominent spot in your house, place a blank notebook with a pen attached. Then, encourage your family members to contribute at least one entry about their activities, their feelings or their reflections each day of your unplugged weekend. Urge everyone to continue contributing to your family journal at least once a week.
Reminisce.
Before everyone goes to bed on Sunday night, take time to reflect. Have each family member share the three best things that happened over your unplugged weekend. You may be surprised that the little things, such as laughing over a joke Dad told at lunch, end up being the highlight.
For more ideas, check out Disney FamilyFun magazine or visit www.FamilyFun.com.
Family playing dominoes: Joe Polillio; family walking outside: Steven Vote; Conversation jar, flashlight: David Baratz for USA WEEKEND
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