Unplug and Connect!

24 hours of untethered family fun

Celebrate the 12th annual National Day of Unplugging, a 24-hour event dedicated to family connection that starts on Friday, March 5.

“No headphones in the common areas!” I yelled at my son after trying to get his attention three times. My family started wearing headphones last year to concentrate on our individual needs. We stopped talking to one another, so we made a rule to reconnect when grabbing snacks between Zoom classes and meetings. No earbuds or TV allowed— just wellness checks and hugs. The National Day of Unplugging (NDU), built on the idea of family connection, is an event that starts at sundown on Friday, March 5 and runs until sundown on Saturday, March 6. This 24hour 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? NDU has 50 ideas on their website for socially distanced fun. Here are a few favorites.

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/thingsto-do/dining-and-recipes/21-waysto-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. NDU is having a photo contest for the most creative fort, best built by a child, closest to nature and more. www.nationaldayofunplugging.com/ unplugged-blog/lets-go-camp-in

Take Your Art Public

Artists Andres Amador and London Kaye will instruct participants how to 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 yarnbomber 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 NDU 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 gravitydefying creations grace Coronado beaches and private events.

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 an evening 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.

Join a Little Free Library Scavenger Hunt

NDU ambassadors with their own Little Free Libraries (LFL) are conducting scavenger hunts in Clairemont, La Mesa, Santee, North/South Park and Calipatria (Imperial County). Families who register on the NDU site will be given information about the hunt closest to their home (before unplugging, of course), in addition to the first clue. After that, follow the clues at each participating LFL (and pick up free, used books). Some LFL sites will offer special giveaways and treats. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition will teach kids how to correctly adjust their helmets at stops on the Clairemont and North/ South Park routes.

We’d love to see how you spent your screen-free day! Share your family’s adventures on social media on March 7 (or later) with the hashtags #NationalDayofUnplugging and #ShareSanDiegoFamily. Be sure to tag @SanDiegoFamilyMagazine.

Resources

National Day of Unplugging

Consider registering on the NDU site (it’s free). There are optional paid upgrades with special offers, such as cell phone “sleeping bags” and other goodies. www.nationaldayofunplugging.com

Foam Noodle Connectors

www.foamnoodles.com/collections/noodle-builder-girder-building-system

Yarn bomber/artist, London Kaye

www.londonkaye.com

Environmental artist, Andres Amador www.andresamadorarts.smugmug.com

Coronado’s Sandcastle Man, Bill Pavlacka

www.thesandcastleman.com

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

March 2021 • SanDiegofamily.com •