5 “Cool” Ways to Learn Something New Over Winter Break

As much as we love educational technology at Arey Jones (and you know we do), we also enjoy time spent completely unplugged. This winter break, take a moment to explore the many off-line experiences that are right outside your door or in your game closet--and learn something new about the world, your family, and yourself in the process.

Get some fresh air.

Created in 1916, the National Park Service manages over 84 million acres of parkland in 417 areas, all 50 states, and four territories. Chances are you have a national park, a historical monument, a national or regional battlefield, a historic site, lakeshore, seashore, riverbank or scenic trail near you that is worth exploring. Bundle up and bring your camera; you’ll want to document and share what you find! 

Explore a museum.

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are over 35,000 active museums in the United States alone. A vital part of American culture, history, and the educational landscape, these museums provide rich and real content for every age of learner. From spy museums to planetariums, from art museums to zoos, there is a museum for every interest, hobby, and day of the week (for the next 96.3 years). Explore them all here.

Read.

Nothing passes winter boredom like an adventure between actual pages. Put your nose in book and your feet in a library--one of the 119,487 libraries in the United States alone. Despite being chock full of fact and fiction, there is no single annual survey that provides real-time statistics for all types of libraries--but that is ok. All you need to know is where to find one, how to get a library card, and which sorts of books you can’t wait to read. 

Get your game on.

Nothing connects families together like some good ol’ fashioned competition. Dust off generational favorites like checkers, chess, cribbage, or even a game of war with two decks of cards. Stay home, make some hot chocolate, and brew up some fun right in your living room. You may not make history, but you will make memories, one move at a time.

Will you be unplugging over the holidays? How will you pass the time this winter break? If you're researching about educational solutions to provide to your classroom, be sure to get in touch with us.

Tech-Free Family Time: 5 Ways To Make It Possible

While the National Day of Unplugging runs from sundown on March 3rd to sundown on March 4th, we think a dedicated unplugging as a family should happen more than just once a year. Here are five things you can do right now to disconnect from technology and connect with the ones you love.

Start on a fun note.

Once a week (or as often as needed), have everyone come to the kitchen with their devices and stand in a circle. Instruct everyone to hand their device to the person on their left. Give everyone 5 minutes to hide the device and then come back together to complete any one of the following activities. After the activity is done, the hunt can begin. To make it fair, change the wifi password until all devices have been found.

Revive family game night.

Maybe it’s a quick game of cards or an elaborate game of bingo. Maybe you make completing a crossword a group effort. Maybe you all gather around a puzzle and commit to locking in a minimum number of pieces. It doesn’t matter what game or activity you play, when you sit down as a family for a good ol’ fashioned night of bonding, everyone wins (even if they won’t concede the point until years later).

Get out of the house.

One sure way to distance yourself from technology is to create literal distance between you and your technology. Leave phones and tablets to charge at home while you pile in a car and treat yourself to a nice meal, ice cream, a walk in a park, or a family volunteering opportunity. If you feel uncomfortable traveling without a phone, bring yours along, but remind your family to hold you accountable, too; I had one friend who promised to buy ice cream for anyone who caught her using her phone during a tech free outing.

Get messy.

When you are trying to de-tech your family for a set amount of time, you may have to fight dirty. You can’t (or shouldn’t) use your devices when your hands are underwater or covered in flour or deep in mud, so get your crew together for a dip in the pool, a family baking party, or a gardening work day/mud fight.

Set boundaries.

If creating dedicated tech-free times is too difficult, try creating tech-free areas in your home. The dining room, for instance, is one sacred place where no devices should be allowed; not only does it distract from the conversations taking place, but food and beverages around devices are a recipe for disaster. Keep mealtimes mindful and inclusive with a firm no-tech policy at the table (and this goes for you, too, mom and dad).

You can also use technology to your advantage on a daily basis, offering the wifi password or a charging cable as the carrot for completing homework, a list of chores, or good behavior.

How do you balance family time with tech time in your home?