Can you go a FULL day without screens? The whole 24 hours. We vote YES!
At Code Ninjas, we naturally love technology and coding and all the other cool stuff that’s in our DNA, but we also know the importance of unplugging, exploring, and using creativity in other ways.
Introducing Challenge 3: The Global Day of Unplugging!
Every year, the Global Day of Unplugging encourages families to take a break from technology for 24 hours. It’s all about connecting with family, playing, building, and having fun without tech devices.
The challenge starts Friday, March 7 at sundown and runs until Saturday, March 8 at sundown. The rules are simple – don’t use a digital device for those 24 hours. No iPads, phones, Xboxes, Switches, PlayStations, laptops, TVs, smartwatches, etc. Do make sure you leave things like the fridge plugged in.
Great, you say! But now what do I do for ALL this time? Pretty sure you can find plenty to do once it sinks in that you can’t turn on a device, but some ideas we like are below.
Turing Tumble – The No-Screen Computer Game
Turing Tumble is a mechanical computer game where you use gears, marbles, and switches to solve puzzles. It’s a really cool way to practice logic and problem-solving without a screen.
Mini Challenge: Try to create a machine that counts to 10 or performs a simple binary operation!
Board Games – Strategy & Logic IRL
Board games are perfect for critical thinking, strategy, and teamwork—all skills coders need!
Abandon All Artichokes – Just because it’s really fun!
Mastermind – A classic. Crack your opponent’s secret code to win.
Rush Hour – A puzzle game requiring problem-solving like an engineer.
Mini Challenge: Play games with the fam all day. Keep a running tally of who wins the most.
Read a Book – Level Up Your Imagination
Great coders love stories and creativity! Take a break and dive into a STEM-themed book or get lost in a new fiction world. There are SO many books to recommend that we’ll save that for another post.
Mini Challenge: Find a pivotal point in your book and imagine a different outcome from an if-then change.
Play Outside – Build & Explore!
Lots of (most?) great ideas don’t happen in front of a screen—sometimes, you need fresh air to get those creative circuits running!
— Build something epic with LEGO or blocks. Or pillows and blankets.
— Create an outdoor scavenger hunt with puzzles for your family to solve.
— Invent a game with rules like a real-world “if-then” statement. Give players options where each choice has a different “then” outcome.
Mini Challenge: Go outside and create a real-life coding challenge using obstacles or puzzles!
Take the Code Ninjas Unplugged Challenge!
We challenge YOU to unplug for a full 24 hours and try at least one of these activities.
Bonus Challenge: After you unplug, write a journal entry or draw a comic strip about your experience! What was the best part? What was the hardest?
Power Down to Power Up!
The Global Day of Unplugging isn’t about avoiding technology — it’s about finding balance, sparking creativity, and discovering new ways to problem-solve.
