(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

unplug and play week

Unplug and Play week sees more families than ever in first six days

Jan 26, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – It’s Unplug and Play Week here in the Tournament Capital and Literacy in Kamloops is pushing families to reduce their screen time and engage in new experiences. Free Unplug and Play events have been running throughout the city with more activities planned for this weekend.

“We’ve seen a rise in screen time recently, and especially post-COVID restrictions,” said Literacy in Kamloops program coordinator Jodi Lebourdais. “What we’re doing is we’re just encouraging families to find a healthy balance. We know there is value in screens and ways that we communicate, but it is important for us to find some time to unplug and really spend some time together and connecting and socializing with each other.”

According to Lebourdais, Unplug and Play saw record attendance for its opening event and the first six days have seen plenty of active families.

“We feel like this has been a really great year. We have a new look to our schedule. I think it’s drawing a lot of attention to families and understanding that there is a healthy balance in screen time and family active time,” Lebourdais told CFJC News. “We’re seeing that reflected in some of the new faces that are coming out and some of the new families that we’re seeing at the events this week.”

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Larah Klint and her son Daniel decided to take part in this week’s initiative.

“Put your phone away, put your cameras away, put everything away and just sit on the floor and just play with your child. That’s all that matters,” Klint explained, adding that she has already seen a difference in Daniel since they started their more active play adventure.

“At home, it’s, ‘Don’t touch me, don’t touch my toys, don’t do anything with me,’” said Klint. “Then here it’s just, ‘I want to be in your face. I want to be in their face. I want this.’”

Free Unplug and Play events are scheduled around the city throughout the weekend. Upcoming events include Family Art Saturday at the Kamloops Art Gallery and snowshoeing at Stake Lake on Sunday.

A full list of this weekend’s activities can be found here.