Unplugged Ideas

Find the best ways to unplug – anywhere, any day.

A collaborative space curated by the GDU community, featuring 200+ ideas for unplugging at home, in schools, and across communities. From creative crafts and outdoor adventures to meditations, books, and activities for kids, teens, adults, and educators, this hub is a global signal that unplugged moments are possible anytime, anywhere – and you’re not alone in creating them.

Interested in collaborating and/or adding an Unplugged Idea to the list? Let us know → Collab Form

200+ Unplugged Ideas

Featured

Plan a screening of “Can’t Look Away”

Plan a community screening of “Can’t Look Away” to spark some conversation on how tech is impacting the Gen Z generation.

Create a Boredom Box

Create a boredom box!

Upcycling Cardboard Cars

Create Upcycled Cardboard Cars for movies, storytimes and more!

Upcycled Fashion Show

Upcycled Fashion Show Competition

Create a School Radio Drama

Create a School Radio Drama

Living History Day

Living History Day

Mystery Box Iron Chef

Mystery Box Iron Chef Competition

Cardboard City Challenge

Cardboard City Challenge

Community Garden Olympics

Community Garden Olympics

Creating a Human Library Day

Creating a Human Library

Creating a Family Kitchen Band

Creating a Family Kitchen Band

Create connections with Reimagined Bingo Games

Bingo games for connecting and conversing!

Incorporating More Outdoor Time and Independence for Kids

Incorporating More Outdoor Time and Independence for Kids!

Create a StoryWalk® or Stroll

Set up a Story Stroll

Yoyo’s make their comeback!

Dive into Retro Games

Write a Break Up Letter to Your Phone

Write a Break Up letter to Your Phone

Intention Setting Tattoos

Add a fun element to your unplugged event with Intention Setting Temporary Tattoos that you can DIY yourself!

Display a little inspiration

Give people questions like “How do you unplug?” and then make a creative display with the answers.

Plan a screening of I am Gen Z

Plan a community screening of I Am Gen Z to spark some conversation on how tech is impacting the Gen Z generation.

Host a Shabbat Dinner

Shabbat, much like yoga or meditation for some, is an act of rebellion against a constantly moving world.

Go to the Forest

The perfect spot to unplug is your local forest or park. Discovertheforest.org is a fantastic resource to start your journey of awe.

Volunteer with Your Kids

With an increasing need to make sense of an overwhelming world, finding opportunities to get out and give back is an awesome opportunity for families to recharge and reconnect.

Have a Stuffed Animal Storytime Adventure!

Bring your child’s furry friends to life while encouraging a love of reading.

Create a tribute rock #blazeitforward

Over the past three years, some of the rocks in the Blaze Bernstein Memorial Garden at Borrego Park have faded, but the legacy of Blaze shines bright.

Turn Your Phone into a Tool (not the other way around!)

Use your phone. Don’t let it use you! Get tips to make your phone ready to unplug.

Have Fun Improving Your Tech Habits

Let Catherine Price, science journalist and author of How to Break Up With Your Phone and The Power of Fun, help you make it easier—and more fun—to unplug.