Is your phone getting more quality time than your family?
It’s a tough question but we need to ask it. I’ve been there. My world used to be confined to a screen. I spent years lost in video games ignoring everything and everyone around me. It was an escape that became a prison. The constant dings notifications and digital noise were my life. I know how easy it is to let our devices pull us away from the people sitting right next to us.
We are so connected yet we often feel disconnected. But breaking that cycle is possible. It’s not about throwing our phones away. It’s about being intentional. It's about choosing to put people first. I had to learn this the hard way. My journey away from addiction and toward a healthier life taught me the incredible value of real human connection.
If you’re ready to unplug and truly reconnect with your family here are ten simple ways to start.
1. Create a Tech-Free Zone
This is the first and simplest step. Choose one area in your home where screens are not allowed. The dinner table is the perfect place to start. Make it a rule. No phones no tablets no TV. At first it might feel strange. The silence might feel loud. But soon you’ll find that space filled with conversation laughter and real connection.
2. Schedule an Offline Adventure
Don’t just wait for it to happen. Put it on the calendar. Plan a weekly walk in the park a monthly hike or a simple trip to a local farmers market. Getting outside changes our perspective. Nature doesn’t have Wi-Fi but it provides a much better connection. The fresh air and shared experience will do more for your family bond than any screen time ever could.
3. Revive Game Night
Dust off those old board games. Or grab a deck of cards. There is something special about sitting around a table together focused on a single game. It sparks friendly competition laughter and teamwork. It’s a chance to see different sides of each other. You’ll make memories that last far longer than a social media post.
4. Cook a Meal Together
Turn cooking from a chore into a team activity. Let the kids pick the recipe. Give everyone a job. Someone can wash the vegetables someone can stir the sauce and someone can set the table. It gets a little messy sometimes. But working together to create something delicious is incredibly rewarding. And sharing the meal you all made together is the best part.
5. Work on a Project
Find a project you can all contribute to. It could be planting a small garden in the backyard. It could be repainting a room or building a birdhouse. Working with your hands toward a common goal is a powerful way to bond. You’re not just building a project. You’re building a stronger family unit one small task at a time.
6. Read a Book Aloud
This isn’t just for little kids. Pick a classic adventure story or a compelling novel and read a chapter or two aloud each evening. It’s a wonderful way to wind down. Sharing a story together lets your imaginations run wild. It creates a shared world you can talk about and experience as a family.
7. Go on a "Listening Walk"
This is a simple one. Go for a walk together with one rule: no talking for the first ten minutes. Instead just listen. Listen to the birds the wind your footsteps. It helps reset your minds and brings a sense of peace. After the quiet time is over you’ll find you have more meaningful things to talk about. You’ve all shared a moment of calm and can connect on a deeper level.
8. Start a Family "Idea Jar"
Get a simple jar and some slips of paper. Have everyone in the family write down fun screen-free activities they’d like to do. It could be anything from “go for a bike ride” to “build a fort in the living room.” When you’re looking for something to do pull an idea from the jar. It’s a fun and democratic way to decide on your next family adventure.
9. Share Moments of Gratitude and Prayer
This has been a huge part of my own transformation. My journey to find a closer relationship with God has grounded me in what’s truly important. Before bed or at the dinner table take a moment to go around and have everyone share one thing they are grateful for. Or you can share a short prayer together. This simple practice shifts the focus from what we lack to the many blessings we have. It builds a foundation of thankfulness and spiritual connection within the family.
10. Just Be Present
This is the hardest one but the most important. Sometimes you don’t need a big activity. You just need to be fully present. When your child is telling you about their day put your phone down look them in the eye and listen. Really listen. When you’re sitting on the couch with your spouse put your work away and just be there. These small moments of undivided attention are the building blocks of strong relationships.
Reconnecting with your family won’t happen overnight. It’s a series of small intentional choices made every day. It’s choosing presence over distraction. It’s choosing people over pixels. It took me a long time to learn that true fulfillment isn’t found on a screen but in the faces of the people I love.
So what’s one small step you can take tonight to unplug and reconnect?
