As I have mentioned before on the blog, although I do love technology and see the benefits of it when used in moderation, I do feel its really important to take a tech time out now and again. It is great to spend time together as a family away from all the screens – with the TV turned off, laptops and phones away and just spend some quality time enjoying the simpler things in life!

I was glad to be selected to take part in a Tech Timeout™ challenge with Foresters. From Friday to Monday, we pledged to spend one hour each day disconnected from all things electrical, with the aim of building better and stronger family bonds. One hour a day is not really long at all, but having made a pledge and knowing you need to account for your time makes it easier for parents to be more aware of screen time in the family. It can be easy to think of spending just 5 more minutes on Facebook (which drags on to 10.. and so on!) when we could be doing something much more worthwhile.

I didn’t find it too hard to find things to do to keep us all entertained without technology. An easy favourite with the boys is to spend time out in the garden. So rather than letting them come in from school on Friday and relax with the television or playing games on their tablets, we went straight into the garden and they spent more than an hour running around, playing with their cars and bikes and on their climbing equipment. Meanwhile I chat to them and join in some of their games.

On Saturday there was a live football cup final to go to! That made it easy to spend hours away from the TV and computer, and this was great quality time for Mr Z and his dad.

On Sunday we took time to spend with relatives.

Forester’s have prepared a pledge form for any families who wish to make the same commitment to just one hour techtime out quality time each day. Do you want to join?

And if you are stuck for ideas on what to do to keep yourselves entertained without the trusty technology, then they have prepared a great list of 50 ideas too! Click the image below to get the list bigger.

Which idea appeals to you the most? Let me know in the comments.

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