Homegrown Family Fun: Unplugged was written out of a concern for the well-being and success of today’s youngsters. As a retired teacher and reading specialist, and as a mother and grandmother I’ve seen the play lives of children change dramatically. While technology itself is not the problem, the over-reliance on screentime as entertainment is concerning.

Most children, if given a choice, will stay indoors and play computer games almost exclusively. They don’t go outside and build forts or play active games of tag. They aren’t aware of the plants and animals in their neighborhoods. They don’t try to dig a hole to China or just daydream as they watch clouds float by in the sky.

The loss of unstructured play time is affecting the social, emotional and psychological health of our children. We need to help our kids unplug and engage in play powered by their own ideas. They need to pretend, create and engage in active play of their own making.

Today many children have lost the desire to engage in creative play. They prefer alone time rather than family time. They show little enthusiasm for reading books or playing games with their parents. They count the minutes until they can get back to their computer games. This book offers hundreds of ideas for nudging children toward healthy, interactive, creative play, both indoors and out. And it helps parents make positive choices in the ways they spend family time.