Come try something new. Not become an expert. Not produce something perfect. Just try. Our Craft & Hobby speakers are bringing six very different invitations to Unplug & Play. @Auli Takala will help families pick up a crochet hook. @Cam Parkes is opening the door to role-playing and shared adventures. @Cristal Vancarson is turning family photography into an experience families can enjoy together. @Joanne Langston brings art and storytelling together. @John Futch is inviting families to explore music through guitar. @Mayelice Castro will help kids and caring adults begin learning French together. You may already see something your family would love. Start there. Then look again at the experience that makes you think, “That isn’t really us.” Try that one too. Shared interests do not always begin with a long-held passion. Sometimes they begin with a crochet hook, a camera, a guitar, a few French words, or one family member saying, “Why not?” Unplug & Play begins August 16.

We're thrilled to have so many passionate people here who believe in the power of play to transform families and communities! @Thomas Czerwonka is here seeking to be a better father to his kind son, and he brings a gentle spirit grounded in honesty and deep conversation exactly what this community thrives on. @Vasi Smith is a transformational coach supporting creators in overcoming addictive behaviors, and with two boys practicing independence, she's ready to explore play as a healing tool. @Kristin Winstanley is a CPA and marketing leader from Arizona with a spirited 3-year-old sensory seeker. She's looking to reduce mental load around play activities. @John Futch has spent 25 years teaching music and built Notelife to help families stick with instruments without burnout with a 12 and 9-year-old, he's here to foster musical homes. @Beth Hanning is a book coach and Stephen Minister from Florida who's mentored around 100 students and writes children's books, she brings wisdom about mentorship and play-based learning. @Angie Fuller is a marketing project manager navigating motherhood with a 5 and 1-year-old, seeking deeper connection through play. @Dale Cox is a professional food scientist whose company publishes experiment-based courses for kids, perfect for families wanting hands-on learning with play. @Kathy Bee Hampton from Southern California is a producer and dream maker with award-winning kids' musicals and experience mentoring through play. @Elliott Robertson is a retired Holding Space facilitator who helps people discover their inner glory and cultivate expansive identities exactly the mindset play requires. @Danielle Powers spent 30 years as an infant-preschool teacher and is a fierce advocate for child-led play she's the real deal when it comes to understanding how kids learn through exploration.

Did you know that sometimes, I feel like I'm back in high school working on the yearbook team. Did anyone else have a high school yearbook? Did you volunteer? Why do I say that? Well, I'm also a member of Skool Events Daily, hosted by our very own @Heather Wilson and I get to see what's happening early as a member. If you are looking for different events to attend or if you're a community owner looking to get the word out. This is a great option. This week, all of the Live Unplug & Play sessions are featured and in the supplement, all sessions are included. I know several have asked to see what's happening, consider this your planning guide. More to come soon.

I’m writing this a little after 5:00 am on Saturday morning. The house is quiet, the tea is brewing, and while we are in different locales, I know @Sandy Chong and I are lining up ingredients and getting ready to bake. Today, @Henry Hunter has chosen Monkey Bread for our bake. I’m going classic sweet but he’s also provided four savory options. Have you ever had monkey bread? I used to make it for the kids- simple fast- yummy. A couple cans of biscuit dough, sugar, cinnamon, gooey yumminess. Today, I learn how to make it from scratch. The recipe looks pretty easy and is ideal for kids helping in the kitchen. I’m using this recipe: https://recipepantry.app/recipes/monkey-bread If you get adventurous and try it come on and share your results here. If you’re a curious baker, Henry is doing a recorded recipe session that you can use at home and then on Wednesday August 19, he’s doing a live session. Check the calendar for the time. Image from Pampered Chef. I can’t find my Bundt pan so I may use a cast iron skillet or loaf pan. Have you ever had monkey bread?

Technology gets blamed for a lot. I’m a firm believer in limiting screen time, especially for kids but I also believe it’s our responsibility to teach how to use tech productively. Let’s face it, as our kids age they will use tech. But there is a difference between watching what a screen gives you and using technology to create something that did not exist five minutes ago. Our three Tech presentations approach that idea from different directions. @Elizabeth Houston joins us Wednesday, August 19, from 2:00–2:45 PM CDT. with some coding stories that will leave you smiling. @Paula Artis presents My Robot Story Helper on Friday, August 21, from 3:00–4:00 PM CDT. This is a session you don’t want to miss. @Tosca Fasso and Christopher Ward present Play It Again, Claude! on Monday, August 17, from 9:00–10:00 AM CDT. Their family prompt kit turns Claude into a starting point for silly mysteries, snack-show challenges, original games, and choose-your-own-adventure stories. Three presentations. Three opportunities to explore what changes when families use technology to make, imagine, and play together. The goal is not more technology. It is doing something more interesting with the technology already around us. Which session spiked your curiosity?