by Kate Oczypok
Fall is in full swing, and with it comes busy schedules, hectic routines, and the impending
holiday season. There’s also more screen time with school back in session too! Speaking of
school, children are not only juggling their classes, but sports, music lessons, tutoring, clubs,
and trying to fit in time with their families and friends too.
Families often have the best intentions when scheduling their children’s extracurriculars.
Parents want to expose kids to various options to allow them to decide what to pursue, while
simultaneously making sure they are well-prepared for the future. However, being
overscheduled and on screens 24/7 does not allow children to use their imaginations or express
their creativity as often as they should. Sometimes, it’s good to be bored as a child! Don’t let
any meltdowns or guilt from taking your child’s screen away (even just for a half hour or so)
dissuade you from giving your children precious time all to themselves. Keep using the mantra
that the meltdowns are worth it.
Why, you may ask? The concept of unplugged, interactive programming for children works.
Unplugged play allows them to experiment and explore, and to enjoy low-pressure activities
where they can set their own pace—something much needed in today’s stress-filled world. This
type of play allows children to engage in puzzles, blocks, or board games that encourage critical
thinking. Kids can prepare themselves for the world through screenless play.
A family-friendly option for some unplugged play is Tackett’s Mill’s annual Fall Festival. The free
event, a perfect example of unplugged play in practice, will have games, giveaways, crafts, and
a pumpkin decorating station. Some of my best fall memories growing up include decorating
pumpkins with my siblings before Halloween. There were no screens anywhere, and sure, I
wasn’t a great artist, but I still had so much fun. Memories are what is treasured, not memes.
Unplugged play isn’t just for kids either. Adults can greatly benefit from reduced screentime. If
you’ve noticed it’s been hard to focus lately, unplugging from your devices can greatly help
extend your attention span and increase productivity. You may even get better sleep! Most
importantly, getting off screens gives adults more connection, particularly when they venture
out to community spaces. There are opportunities like spontaneous interaction and stronger
local relationships. Doom scrolling can occupy your time in a passive way, whereas face-to-face
interaction allows for more meaningful connection.
Here are some easy questions and answers all about unplugged activities:
- What makes an activity “unplugged?”
Unplugged activities rely on screen-free materials like arts and crafts (think paper,
pencils, cards, and more). They also focus more on logic and most importantly, they are
interactive and hands-on. Like Tackett’s Mill’s Fall Festival, unplugged activities can
involve games, group events, or simply just sharing a meal or snack together. - Why do community festivals matter for children’s development?
Community festivals help kids grow through building social skills while also giving them a
strong sense of belonging. Seeing neighbors celebrate together makes children feel like
they are part of their neighborhood, and a vital part at that. Also, cultural traditions can
be celebrated, offering a chance for a teaching experience and customs to be passed
down through generations. - How can other neighborhoods create similar spaces?
Underused areas are some of the easiest areas to convert into unplugged spaces. There
are other ways to create these spaces too, like small empty parking lots or alleys that
are no longer utilized. Community gardens are often a great way to create an unplugged
space as well.
The Tackett’s Mill Fall Festival will be 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on October 3 and will feature games,
giveaways, and lots of fall fun.