50 Things to Do as a Family without Technology

Before you take your technology timeout, grab these tech-free essentials on Amazon!

White Mountain Puzzles Candy Wrappers – 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleNerf N-Sports Sonic Howler Flying DiskNerf Sports Weather Blitz Football Toy, GreenWilson Traditional Soccer Ball (3)Crayola 48 Count Sidewalk Chalk (51-2048)Candy Land Game

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Have you ever been challenged to take a technology timeout? How about one hour each day without technology? It’s easy to fall into the technology trap with our smartphones and iPads and Playstations.

How many of you before going to sleep browse Facebook in bed? Then upon waking up, pick up your phone to check your email before planting your feet on the floor?

I know I do.

By forcing myself to do a technology timeout, I have seen how much I am actually tied down to technology. There are times when I can’t help it (like when I am working an event or up against a deadline). The key is to make the time to actually take the timeout. Make an effort to break away from technology.

And that’s what I did this weekend.

At my son’s baseball game, I didn’t pick up my phone once (not even to snap a picture). I cheered him and his team on, chased my little one off the field, and chatted with the other parents. We then headed to a local town’s Community Day. I will confess that I did pick up my phone during the event but only to snap pictures of Ethan and the characters from Star Wars. I had to document that excitement!

Yesterday was a little harder. Deadlines to met. Consignment tags to be entered. But I did it. I took Ethan to my niece’s soccer game. The only time I picked up my phone was when I called my husband about putting dinner in the oven. Again, I cheered on her team (she scored the only 2 goals!), talked with my mom, and watched my shy son play with a bunch of kids he didn’t know (that’s huge!).

I know I have a long way to go when it comes to taking a technology timeout, but this weekend was a great jump start to making the effort!

Looking for things to do as a family when taking your Tech Timeout? Here are 50 things to do without technology so you have no excuse not to try it!

50 Things to Do as a Family without Technology

1. Cook dinner together.
2. Go to the library.
3. Do a puzzle.
   Check out our favorite puzzles!

   White Mountain Puzzles Candy Wrappers – 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleWhite Mountain Puzzles The Eighties – 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleMelissa & Doug USA Map Floor Puzzle (51 pcs, 2 x 3 feet)USAopoly PZ010-430 World of Harry Potter Puzzle, 550 Piece

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4. Take a walk.
5. Have a family picnic.
6. Play Frisbee. 
7. Volunteer.
8. Go swimming.
9. Take a bike ride.
10. Go to the park. ‘
11. Play with a pet.
12. Look through old family albums together.
13. Go bowling.
14. Play hide and seek.
15. Bake cookies together.
16. Visit a relative.
17. Take the family sledding.
18. Have a family touch football game.
19. Go to a roller rink.
20. Volunteer at the local food pantry.
21. Go cross country skiing.
22. Go outside and take family photos.
23. Make a meal and surprise a neighbor.
24. Play soccer.
25. Make a chalk picture in your driveway using sidewalk chalk.
26. Make pizza from scratch.
27. Rake an older neighbor’s lawn.
28. Play miniature golf.
29. Play a game of hockey.
30. Play a board game.Here are a few of our favorite family board games!

    Beat The Parents Board GameHasbro Pie Face GameJenga Classic GameCandy Land The World of Sweets Game (Amazon Exclusive)

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31. Visit a pet shop.
32. Try some food you’ve never had before.
33. Build a snow or leaf fort.
34. Hike through the woods.
35. Shoot some hoops.
36. Play a game of Charades.
37. Do a family art project.
38. Make a family breakfast.
39. Go to your local playground and help clean up.
40. Make a care package for your local hospital.
41. Roast marshmallows.
42. Plant a garden.
43. Take a family trip to the zoo or museum.
44. Take a fishing trip.
45. Build a birdhouse or bird feeder.
46. Clean house and donate items to local thrift shop.
47. Heave a treasure hunt.
48. Plant a tree.
49. Pick seasonal fruit at a local farm. 
50. Go to the beach.

Have you ever taken a technology timeout? What are some things you do without technology?