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Another Fabulous Screen-Free Week: More Friends, Family, and Fun in 2022

Another Fabulous Screen-Free Week: More Friends, Family, and Fun in 2022

by Lucy Kidwell | May 15, 2022 | screenfree, Uncategorized

We were so excited to hear about your amazing experiences during Screen-Free Week 2022! From Nicaragua to Scotland to San Diego, tens of thousands of people relished in the “joy of missing out” from May 2 – 8. After the pandemic and resulting increases in screen time, it was so important to be gentle with ourselves this year. Perfection is NOT the point, and it’s clear that participants made the most of their screen-free time.

Want to keep screen breaks a regular part of your life? Check out our Screen-Free Saturdays resources! And save the date for Screen-Free Week 2023, May 3-9!

What did celebrations look like this year?

The best part of Screen-Free Week is the diversity and variation of celebrations. Some families spent the week on the beach, at the library, or in their own backyards. Often, schools and communities spearhead the celebration; in fact, one Wisconsin community hosted over 15 Screen-Free Week events this year! Below, check out these inspiring stories and photos from participants:

“We left behind our screens and had an unforgettable family adventure, camping at a national seashore for 5 days. Our girls saw tons of wildlife including armadillos, crabs, wild horses, manatees, a shark, and crabs. They spent long, unstructured days beachcombing, exploring ruins, playing in the waves, building sandcastles, climbing trees and making boats out of fallen leaves and bark. We reconnected with cousins and grandparents around the campfire. We laughed together when my sister caught a minnow between her toes, commiserated over mosquito bites, and gazed in wonder at a nest a bird had built in an open backpack pocket which had been undisturbed for 3 days—complete with a freshly laid egg! We didn’t miss the screens. Instead of living vicariously, watching adventures on a screen, we lived one!” –Emily, UT

“When I first mentioned Screen-Free Week to our students, they were asking all sorts of questions.. “How can we do this? What, no computer?, No technology? No iPads?” and on an on…Fast forward to the last day of the week: “Hey, Mrs. Baughman, can we do this again next week?” I’d say this Screen-Free Week made a lasting impact on our students. I plan to participate next year as well!” –Star, NC

“Our elementary school planned a screen free activity for each day of the week. The first day was an at home scavenger hunt, the 2nd day was a STEM night at the school, where we did 4 low tech STEM activities. The 3rd night we did a rock painting and sidewalk chalk night with out art teacher at the school to add rocks to our rock garden. The 4th night we held a pajama storybook night at the school, where teachers read to students throughout the school while in. their pajamas. The last night was an ice cream party at a local ice cream shop. We had over 100 students participate every night and 20 teachers help throughout the week.” -Bonne, NJ

“One thing we did without any stress was having meals together without staring at electronics. We will keep the rule and continue having meals together without screens. This was a great experience and we will try to limit screen time in the future.”–Sandra, MD

We’re thrilled to see all of the amazing experiences people had during Screen-Free Week. Take a look at the many ways people celebrated (plus more pictures) below. Thanks to everyone for participating and sharing your stories!

    • Making baby quilts
    • Taking Grammie out to lunch
    • Attending a church bonfire
    • Playing with legos
    • Reading, reading, reading!
    • Practicing the flute
    • Roasting hot dogs over the fire
    • Celebrating Mother’s Day
    • Swimming in creeks and lakes
    • Pajama storybook night
    • Building forts
    • Designing fairy houses
    • Playing with dolls
    • Horseback riding
    • Drawing/making art
    • Flag football!
    • Going to the zoo
    • Rock painting
    • Scavenger hunts
    • Hiking by candlelight
  • Playing with puppies
  • Spending time with friends
  • Attending an art show
  • Looking through a telescope
  • Barbecue and ice cream!
  • Racing through obstacle courses
  • Planting flowers
  • Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
  • Dancing in the park
  • Visiting museums

Screen-Free Week Book List winners read from their books!

Screen-Free Week Book List winners read from their books!

by Lucy Kidwell | Apr 23, 2022 | screenfree, Uncategorized

For Screen-Free Week 2022, in partnership with Children’s Book Week, we invited the authors from our Screen-Free Week Booklist to send in videos of them reading their books. The Manic Panic by Richa Jha and Mithila Ananth is one of our favorite new books on the list; below, author Richa Jha reads from their amazing tale.

More about The Manic Panic: Some grown-ups have so much screen time that they just can’t cope when the wifi goes out. Luckily the grown-ups in The Manic Panic live with a smart kid who loves to read and an adventurous grandma who knows how to have fun without the internet. The Manic Panic is a wry look at the value of unplugged family time, even when someone is resistant to the real world. (AGES 5-11)

Next, Roopa Raveendran-Menon, the author of Chandu and the Super Set of Parents, reads from Chapter 1 of her wonderful new book. Chandu and the Super Set of Parents is a heartwarming examination of the meaning of family.

More about Chandu and the Super Set of Parents: When Chandu’s strict parents threaten to ship him off to boarding school, Chandu wonders what it would be like to have different parents and comes across a curious storefront: The Exchange Your Parents Shop. Chandu has the opportunity to become the child of math geniuses, movie superstars, or sports icons. Including themes surrounding screen use, this is a fantastical tale set against a rich tapestry of Indian food, culture, and customs. (AGES 7-12)

Finally, author Adam Ciccio and baby June read Go Out and Play, an adorable children’s picture book about putting down the screens to play outside, illustrated by Katrien Benaets! This book is an awesome addition to our 2022 Screen-Free Week Book List!

More about Go Out and Play: The clouds are gone and the sun is out. It’s time to put the phones away and enjoy the sunshine before the sun goes down. There are so many things to explore outside. Play soccer, skateboard, or find new bugs! What will you do with your time outside? (AGES 0-11)

Author Gordon Korman talks about his book, Unplugged

Author Gordon Korman talks about his book, Unplugged

by Rachel Franz (CCFC Staff) | Jun 7, 2021 | screenfree, Uncategorized

For Screen-Free Week 2021, we invited the authors from our Screen-Free Week Booklist, in partnership with the Children’s Book Council’s Children’s Book Week, to send in videos of them reading or talking about their books. Enjoy these videos, as submitted by the authors! Here, Gordon Korman, talks a bit about Unplugged and reads an excerpt in honor of Screen-Free Week!

Check out our annual book list here: Annual Booklist

Author reads Screen-Free Week Booklist Title

Author reads Screen-Free Week Booklist Title

by Rachel Franz (CCFC Staff) | Jun 4, 2021 | screenfree, Uncategorized

For Screen-Free Week 2021, we invited the authors from our Screen-Free Week Booklist, in partnership with the Children’s Book Council’s Children’s Book Week, to send in videos of them reading or talking about their books. Enjoy these videos, as submitted by the authors! Enjoy Bruno has 100 Friends, read in its original language, Italian, by author Francesca Pirrone.

Check out our annual book list here: Annual Booklist

CCFC Staff has FUN(GI) during Screen-Free Week

CCFC Staff has FUN(GI) during Screen-Free Week

by Rachel Franz (CCFC Staff) | May 14, 2021 | screenfree, Uncategorized

Each year during Screen-Free Week, we hear from thousands of people who unplugged in a variety of ways. Our CCFC team also takes time to celebrate each year. Since most of our work requires our computers and our team was working remotely, we got creative. So, we set individual goals like getting off social media for the week, taking a walk each day, or taking out some books from the library.

In addition to taking an hour out of the work week to play Pictionary together, a highlight of our staff screen-free activities was MUSHROOM GROWING! Each of our staff members got a kit and the opportunity to grow a crop of oyster mushrooms. Every day for the week, we had to devote a few screen-free moments to caring for our mushrooms and observing their growth. Then, we were tasked with fun, unplugged activities like writing haikus about our mushrooms, rewriting lyrics to a catch song about the mushrooms, recording our knowledge or questions about fungi, and painting or drawing the mushrooms. While one of us was too grossed out to actually grow them, other staff members harvested their mushrooms and made a delicious meal.

 

Our Haikus

 

I spray. And I spray.

And nothing happens. But wait!

A bump. A sprout. Mushrooms! Yum!

 

According to Zach,

These dark caps are aliens

Doubling in size each day

 

Surprise fungus flow

Screen-Free culinary treat

Grossing out a fan

I wonder what com-

Pelled ancient humans to try

These really weird things.

 

An X in plastic

From nothing blooms tiny lift forces

Mushrooms in a box

 

“Directions”

Spritz, spritz, spritz we go

What a tasty festering

don’t rinse, don’t repeat

Mushroom Songs

Some people were also lyrically inspired by the growing fungus in their homes. We re-wrote the lyrics to “Rocket Man” by Elton John, “Dancing Queen” by Abba, and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

Here’s a rockin’ version of “Roxanne” by the Police (by Rinny):

Mushrooms

You don’t have to turn on the red light

Ambient light

Is all mushrooms need to multiply.

Mushrooms

You don’t have to soak them in water

Misting seems to work

They don’t care if I do it day or night.

 

Mushrooms

You don’t have to turn on the red light

Mushrooms

You don’t have to turn on the red light.

 

I loved you since I knew you

I wouldn’t talk down to you

I have to tell you just I feel

I won’t share you with anyone else

I know my mind is made up

I’m gonna eat you with ketchup

Told you once I won’t tell you again

It’s a great way

 

Mushrooms

You don’t have to turn on the red light

Mushrooms

You don’t have to turn on the red light

And here is “I am Fungi” to the tune of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (by Rachel):

At first I was afraid, I was petrified

Kept thinking how gross this smelly box of fungus was

But then I spent a couple days misting these tiny little spores

And they grew strong

And we learned how to get along

So maybe I’ll cook

These oyster mushrooms

Or maybe I’ll hand them off to someone else whom mushrooms don’t make spew

But either way someone will enjoy this crop of fantastic fungi

As long as they make it

As long as they don’t crumble and die

Oh no, no, no; they will survive

As long as I know how to mist, they will stay alive

They’ve got at least one more day to live

I’ve got a whole bottle of water to give

They will survive, They are fungi

Hey hey

Our art work

Even though we shared these experiences on Zoom, it was a chance for us to take a break from work, share some laughs, and to be together. Ultimately, we thrived on this little bit of fun(gi) during Screen-Free Week! We can’t wait to celebrate again next year.

Screen-Free Week Celebrated Across the Globe

Screen-Free Week Celebrated Across the Globe

by Rachel Franz (CCFC Staff) | May 14, 2021 | screenfree, Uncategorized

From May 3-9, people around the world took the time to rethink their use of digital devices in favor of play, learning, and real connection. From single adults to whole schools, celebrations looked different. And the best thing is, they all count. Screen-Free Week is a no-judgement, do-what-you-can type of celebration!

This year, people sent in photos and wrote to us about what they did. Here are just some of folks’ favorite activities: 

    • Making popsicle stick towers
    • Building toothpick/marshmallow bridges. 
    • Playing Chess
    • Starting veggie seeds for a garden
    • Playing cards
    • Building an outhouse
    • Going to the post office
    • Picking dandelions
    • Playing basketball
  • Cleaning
  • Playing soccer
  • Playing Four square
  • Hiking across a frozen lake
  • Riding bikes
  • Spending more time with family
  • Horseback riding
  • Writing for an essay contest
  • Walking the dog
  • Screen-Free Bingo 
  • Coloring
  • Baking snacks
  • Visiting a new coffee shop in town
  • Picking flowers 
  • Playing games
  • Painting  with watercolor
  • Learning guitar
  • Playing Hide and seek
  • Doing puzzles
  • Going fishing
  • Talking and just hanging out
  • Camping
  • Knitting
  • Singing

What was the experience like?

Schools, clubs, families, and individuals celebrated, clocking in screen-free hours ranging from a few hours to a few days to the whole week! Some committed to continuing regular screen-free breaks, especially with the summer on its way in the northern hemisphere. Here’s what some people had to say:

“For me, Screen-Free Week meant doing without personal email and social media.  I used the extra time reading, writing (letters, parenting journal, planner), and realizing I was less frazzled and more patient spending time with my daughter.” -Lauren, MD

“We didn’t miss the screens because we were having so much fun outside!!” -Jacquelyn, MI

“By the end of the week, I was forgetting my phone at home and the kids were fighting less because there were no TV show choices or time to disagree on!” -Jeffrey, CA

“I thought I would have so much extra time at the end of the day, but we found so many other things to do. I don’t know how we ever made time for screens.” -Eileen, NY

One group of music students, with the help of their teacher, also recorded some songs for us in honor of Screen-Free Week. You can check them out on Instagram here.

And, take a look at some photos of people celebrating. Thanks to everyone who sent in photos!

We’re thrilled to see all of the amazing experiences people had during Screen-Free Week. Want to keep screen breaks a regular part of your life? Check out our Screen-Free Saturdays resources! And save the date for Screen-Free Week 2022, May 2-8!

« Older Entries

Recent Posts

  • Ms. Zalewski’s Class Shares What Screen-Free Week Means for Them
  • In the Screen-Time Ring: Middle Schoolers Talk About Social Media, Screens, and Growing Up Today
  • Another Fabulous Screen-Free Week: More Friends, Family, and Fun in 2022
  • Screen-Free Week in the Classroom
  • Screen-Free Week Book List winners read from their books!

Check out our NEW tips for schools: How to Design a Super Successful Screen-Free Week!

Take a look at our new collection of tips for Screen-Free Week in schools!

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Download the Organizer’s Kit

Celebrate two great weeks in one!

In 2018, Children’s Book Week is the same week as Screen Free Week! Here’s how to host both events together—and get in some great reading while you unplug. And check out our new resource: fun books for kids about reducing screen time!

See Who’s Celebrating

Get inspiration and ideas for Screen-Free Week celebrations, and submit your own!

Partner Spotlight: AAP

CCFC and the American Academy of Pediatrics want you to know that taking a break from entertainment screen media can help you launch healthy media habits for the rest of the year! Learn more here.

Featured Resources

7 Parent-Tested Tips to Unplug and Play

Changing children’s screen habits can be a challenge for both kids and parents. That’s why we created “7 Parent-Tested Tips to Unplug and Play,” strategies for getting young kids to spend less time with screens from real parents who have done it and noticed a world of difference.

Healthy Kids in a Digital World Brochure

Want the children in your life to spend more time playing and less time with screens? CCFC’s great new handout is for you. Clear, concise, and evidence-based, our Healthy Kids in a Digital World brochure is packed with tips, facts, and screen-free activities—and it’s free!

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