Join us this Analog August
This summer at Brains On we’re doing a digital detox. We’re calling it Analog August. It’s a month-long reminder to unplug and get out in the world. We’re not giving up our tech all together, that would be impossible. We’re just trying to be more thoughtful about when we use it. Because we could all use a chance to step back from our screens.
We want you to join us! Sign up for our weekly newsletter during the month of August and we’ll send you ideas for phone-free adventures and tips on finding a healthy screen-life balance. Plus, send us mail (the old-fashioned way) in August and we’ll send you a special postcard! Our mailing address is: Brains On! 480 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN, 55101.
And parents, check out this webinar all about kids and phones where experts and researchers answered questions live about when to give kids phones, how to model handling screen time and how to worry less about it all. Check it out at the link below!
Guests:
Julia Storm, Digital Wellness Educator and founder of Reconnect
Jacqueline Nesi, writer of Techno Sapiens Newsletter, assistant professor at Brown University
Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World
Need some ideas for screen free fun that will shake up your summer? Try these:
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Going outside is one of the best ways to beat boredom. One fun thing to do is try a scavenger hunt. You can do this around your neighborhood or at a park. Add things like - something spikey - something smooth - a bug - a flower, etc. You can also try a rainbow scavenger hunt where you are looking for things of all the colors of the rainbow.
Snail Mail: Letters are fun, especially when you get mail back. So why not write to us at Brains On? We’ll send you an exclusive and very special postcard in return. You can send us drawings, a recap of your summer, a list of things you like and don’t like… whatever you want! Mail it to:
Brains On!
480 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN, 55101
DIY bowling: Also indoors or out. Rinse and dry empty milk cartons or plastic juice containers (if you want to get fancy you can make an art project out of covering them with contact paper, cut out magazine pictures or even newspaper & tape). Stack them as high as you can without falling. Then take a ball, step back about 10 feet, and compete by throwing it at the stack to see who knocks them over with the fewest tries. Then try setting them up in different configurations to make it harder or easier.
Lemonade & cookie stand: Best for a hot summer day, this is a sweet twist on the old school lemonade stand because first you get to bake cookies together. Then use your art skills to make big for sale signs (with the prices you decide). After the lemonade is mixed and cookies cooled, set up a table on the corner (with a parent present) to advertise and sell your gourmet treats. Consider donating some of the proceeds to charity, which you could also tell people about on your signs.
Puzzle time: Have a jigsaw puzzle going on a table so when you’re not sure what to do with your hands, work on the puzzle! It’s a great place to have conversations while your hands are busy.
Face paint: Get some face paint. Put on a shirt you don’t care about. Sit outside. Close your eyes and let your kid paint your face however they want. I love any activity where I sit still with my eyes closed.
Chef it up: How many different ways can you make a PB&J sandwich? Go head to head, Top Chef style or choose a week where you make a different wondrous creation each day. Add banana, strawberries, honey, pickles, mayonnaise… whatever you want. Don’t forget to get creative with how you slice it too. Kids learn to make food for themselves and get creative! Nut allergies? Substitute your sandwich of choice!
Role reversal: Kids love being asked to clean up their room, right? Okay, it’s a pain. We get it. How about giving your kids the task of judging your room? Uh, oh! They can make an official inspection sheet, dock points for messes and give you a citation to get your act together. Plus, this is a great way to show (not tell) them the expectations you want set up in your home.
