Go Play
Unplug to PLAY (scavenger hunts and games to spark the imagination!)
Search for It: Create a scavenger hunt with Little Free Libraries (LFL) in your area (www.littlefreelibrary.com). Located all over the world (over 100K in 108 countries), LFLs are ideal for a scavenger hunt for all ages. Some are mini houses while others are more unusual like repurposed wine refrigerators. Hide something in one (or better yet multiple libraries) and give people clues to find them. Contact the library owners to get them involved. None in your area…why not start one? Find kits you can buy or you can DIY with your own creative flare. A great project for a scout troop, neighborhood, or small group. We are giving away a DIY Little Free Libraries Kit to a lucky winner (contest ends Jan 18) If you want to coordinate one in your neighborhood, email claudia@nationaldayofunplugging.com. Coordinators can get a step by step guide to make it easy!
Go on a Scavenger Hunt: Consider tapping into companies like Let’s Roam that have hunts set up in over 400 cities across the globe including digitally guided Scavenger Hunts, Bar Hunts, Ghost Tours, and more. Can’t leave the house or want to do your own? Check out this list from Good Housekeeping for 22 DIY tips to set up your own hunt.
Click HERE to enter for a chance to win a LET’S ROAM scavenger hunt as part of the Unplug & Do Stuff Giveaway starting January 25.
Set up a Gnome Hunt: Plant gnomes (or some other creature) in different locations and have people seek out to find all of them. Give them fun names, put out clues and give a card to stamp when they find each one. You could also just hide gnome doors. Hide them in businesses along paths where bike or scooter rentals are present. Gnomes work well for a series of wineries or businesses where they can be hidden, but monitored so they don’t go wandering off :)
Hang with the Farmers: Host an event at the Farmers Market. Markets provide a healthy outdoor environment, already have attendees and lend themselves to a nice partnership as many vendors and farmers understand the value of unplugging and connecting with nature and healthy foods. See if you can get a free or shared booth space at your local market (they may waive the fee if it is a 1 time event and likely to bring new customers). Fun ideas for families include: creating a mascot and making a scavenger hunt for kids, doing nature crafts, encouraging them to be “Adventure Tasters”, or letting them shop with fake dollars from pre-approved vendors.
Getting Out!: Plan an Escape Room outing. These are lots of fun for families, groups and companies of smaller size and are a perfect unplugged activity as there are no phones permitted. People have to work together to solve the clues to escape a room decorated in a particular theme (an old saloon, a jail cell, china town). These are good team builders. Can’t get to an Escape Room? Make your own at home! Check out this Youtube video by Marti Doktorchik of @homeescaperooms from Canada, or check this link for even more puzzle ideas.
Have a Board Game Night: Time to dust off Grandma’s board games and roll the dice. Games are totally back. They are great for strategy and bringing people together. Try the classic backgammon from BackGammonBaby or here is a list from New York Magazine with options for different age groups. Thanks to Backgammon Baby for providing one of their sets for the Unplug & Go Play Giveaway (ended January 18).
Hide-n-Seek: Forget hiding in a closet, here are 4 twists on the traditional Hide and Seek game by Fatherly.com that will get your kids ready to explore.
Tag: This classic game where the words “You're It” gets everyone’s heart racing. Here are 10 variations from Active For Life on spicing up this game.
Hopscotch: Always good for exercise and easily transforming your sidewalk into a fun zone. Care.com has several variations including “Escargot” or “Potsy” style.
Ready for some Fort-Night Fun? Covid-19 has brought out the best in our creative spirits. Forts have popped up all over the world and can create a safe-haven from stress. In celebration of National Day of Unplugging, build your best fort.
We will be giving away prizes for the Most Creative, Best Child Built, Best Adult Built, Best Upcycled, Closest to Nature fort. **Learn more HERE about our Fort Fun Photo Contest coming soon!
Try a campout where you never even leave the house. Build a fort with big boxes or the living room furniture. Challenge a group of friends to a fort building challenge. Check out Ikea’s Blanket Fort Instructions, https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Blanket-Fort, or create one with PVC piping. Materials can include twinkle lights, tapestries, sheets, pillows, clothespins, poles, and any other materials around the house. Make room for fun and a place to unplug during National Day of Unplugging.
Gather supplies together and let your creativity soar. If you have kids, make sure to involve them in the all-important building process as that is the most fun!
Adults Forts: Forts are not just for kids. Have a date night in a boho style fort or teepee. Grab a mandala tapestry, lights, some wine, cheese, and comfy pillows and you have a romantic night to remember. You may never want to take it down.
