About Unplugged Nest

We started Unplugged Nest after one too many afternoons that went the same way: a tired kid, a tired grown-up, and a tablet that seemed like the only thing standing between us and a meltdown. We didn't want to ban screens forever. We just wanted more good options when we reached for one out of habit.

What we found online was either too much (a 40-step craft that needed a trip to the store) or too vague ("just let them be bored!"). So we started writing down the ideas that actually worked in our own living rooms and kitchens.

What you'll find here

• Age-specific lists for toddlers, preschoolers and big kids, because what keeps a 2-year-old busy will not impress a 9-year-old.
• Low-prep, low-cost ideas that use things you already have: tape, cardboard, muffin tins, pasta and paper.
• Answers for the hard moments: rainy days, car rides, quiet time, the after-school slump and the long weeks of summer.
• Printables and challenge calendars that kids can follow on their own.
• Honest toy and supply guides for open-ended things that get played with for years, not days.

Our promises to you

Every activity we share has to pass three tests. It takes about five minutes to set up. It uses things most homes already have. And it has to hold a real kid's attention long enough for you to do something else, even if that something is just sitting down.

We'll never shame you for screen time. Screens are part of modern family life. Our goal is simply to make the offline option easier to reach for.

Questions or ideas? We'd love to hear from you on our contact page. You can also find Unplugged Nest on Pinterest, where every category on this site is its own board.