Digital Detox Weekend
FAMILYTRAVELAUDREY
Digital Detox Weekend: How We Unplugged as a Family and Reconnected
These days, screens are everywhere ; in our pockets, on our desks, in front of our kids, even during dinner.
As a family who works and learns from home, it’s so easy to fall into the habit of staying plugged in all day long. That’s exactly why we started our Digital Detox Weekends and honestly, it’s been one of the best things we’ve done for our family.
Why We Chose to Unplug: With both parents working remotely and our firstborn doing homeschooling, screen time was starting to creep into every corner of our lives. For work, school, entertainment, even relaxation. We noticed the shift; shorter conversations, distracted dinners, and that feeling of “together but not really present.” We didn’t want technology to rob us of quality time. So we made a simple decision: every weekend (and sometimes weekdays too), we unplug. No phones, no tablets, no scrolling. Just us, being present. What We Do Instead Our Digital Detox isn’t about sitting still. It’s about living fully.
Here’s what our unplugged weekends often look like:
• Camping under the trees – Nothing compares to setting up a tent, cooking over a fire, and waking up to birdsong instead of alarms.
• Outdoor playground adventures – Our kids get to run free, climb, explore, and make friends. We love watching them use their imagination.
• Beach days – Sandcastles, salty air, and watching the waves roll in. Simple joys that never get old.
• Nature walks and hikes – Whether it’s a trail or just the local park, moving our bodies in nature resets our minds.
• Spontaneous mall strolls – Even the mall can feel refreshing when the goal is to connect instead of shop.
• Staycations – Some weekends, we turn our home into a cozy retreat: • No chores, no work. • Pajama mornings with pancakes. • Blanket forts and board games. • Family movie night (one well-chosen film, watched together). • Backyard picnics or DIY spa days.
These slower weekends are just as refreshing, and they’ve become some of our kids’ favorite memories.
• Just being together. Wherever we are, the goal is the same: to be present with each other.
What We’ve Learned At first, it wasn’t easy. We reached for our phones more times than we’d like to admit. But slowly, we found peace in the pause.
• Our kids talk more when we’re not looking down. • We laugh more.
• We argue less.
• We notice more, like how our youngest loves to pick rocks or how creative our firstborn gets when bored.
• And most importantly, we feel closer as a family.
Capturing the Moments. Ironically, some of the most beautiful moments happen when we’re not holding a phone But just for photos. And take as much more snaps the whole day. Enough to remember, not enough to distract. For this blog, we shared some of our favorite detox memories above.
Final Thoughts Unplugging isn’t about perfection.
We’re not anti-technology. We’re just pro-intention. Our Digital Detox Weekends aren’t rules; they’re reminders. Reminders to slow down, breathe deep, and connect with what really matters.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, try stepping away from the screen. Even just for one day. You might be surprised at how much life is waiting outside the scroll. Have you tried a digital detox with your family? Let us know by submitting your story or better yet, unplug this weekend and come back to tell us how it felt.
