When my phone buzzes with texts from clients during family time, I've learned the hard way that truly unplugging requires physical distance from technology--like our annual Joshua Tree camping trips where we leave devices locked in the car and rediscover conversation around a campfire. Nothing beats watching my kids' faces light up when they spot their first bighorn sheep or see the Milky Way without light pollution, moments I nearly missed while checking email on past adventures. Kayaking has become our family's moving meditation, especially along the serene Russian River where paddling silently allows us to spot river otters, ospreys, and even the occasional steelhead--a dramatic difference from our first chaotic attempt when everyone was more focused on taking photos than experiencing the journey. The rhythm of paddling together creates this natural flow state that's impossible to achieve when our attention is fractured by notifications. I tell my clients that nature isn't just a vacation backdrop but a relationship that requires presence--what I call "the five-minute rule": spend five minutes observing one small natural detail before reaching for your phone, and suddenly three hours pass without a single digital craving. California offers endless opportunities to reset your family's connection to each other and the natural world, but only if you're brave enough to silence the devices first.
One of my favorite ways to disconnect from technology and truly reconnect as a family is by creating simple, intentional outdoor experiences right in our own backyard. There's something incredibly grounding about stepping away from screens and stepping into nature--even if that "nature" is a thoughtfully designed backyard retreat. For us, the magic really starts around the fire. Whether it's a built-in gas fire pit or a portable wood-burning model, gathering around the flames invites genuine connection. No phones, no distractions--just stories, laughter, and that peaceful crackle in the background. It's amazing how quickly the stresses of the day melt away in that environment. Another favorite activity is enjoying an evening soak in the hot tub. It's more than just a luxurious way to unwind; it's an opportunity to talk, laugh, and relax under the stars. The combination of warm water, open air, and good company has a way of making time slow down. You start to notice the rustling trees, the cool breeze, the sound of crickets--it reminds you just how beautiful and restorative nature can be. And for those quieter moments, a well-placed Adirondack chair under a pergola or beside a garden is perfect for morning coffees or winding down with a book in the evening. You don't have to go far to appreciate the natural world--sometimes, it's right outside your patio door. Helping families build those kinds of spaces--ones that foster connection and a deeper appreciation for nature--is exactly why I do what I do. With the right layout and the right leisure pieces, your backyard can become your sanctuary.
I'm Ryan Kading, owner of Extreme Arizona. Running an off-road adventure company means I'm always on the phone or computer, balancing logistics, monitoring customer experiences, and managing gear maintenance. So when it's time to decompress, I turn to the very thing we specialize in: getting outside and going off the grid. For me, the best way to reset is by hopping on an ATV or UTV and hitting Arizona's rugged backcountry. Whether I'm navigating the red rocks of Sedona or exploring hidden trails in the Tonto National Forest, off-roading gives me the space to breathe, recharge, and reconnect with what drew me to this business in the first place. Even after all these years, it never gets old. I might stop to take in a killer view, hike out to a quiet creek, or just soak in the silence where there's zero cell service. It's more than just a break from the daily grind--it's a reminder of why adventure matters.
A good old-fashioned hiking. For me, one of the best ways to unplug and reconnect with nature is hiking. Nothing fancy, just boots or muddy sneakers, snacks, and a trail that doesn't have cell phone service. My wife, two daughters, and I have a favorite trail a few miles outside the city where the only thing buzzing is the sound of cicadas. Hiking has become our little ritual over the past few years. We pretend to be forest explorers, compete in spotting wildflowers, and negotiate how many gummy bears are fair compensation for walking "just ten more minutes." There is something relaxing and comforting about being out in the woods together: no screen time, no notifications--just dirt, genuine conversation, and curiosity. Slowing down to match my daughters' pace helps me notice things I'd normally blow past: a snail crossing the trail, how the sun rays filter through the trees at the golden hour, the shape of a leaf, etc. The quiet, slightly messy, and beautifully unscripted moments remind me of what being a present father and caring partner means.
Our family has always loved going for walks. Not for only for fitness goals or to check off a to-do list, but because it's where we feel most connected--to each other and to the world around us. No screens buzzing in our pockets, no distractions pulling us away. Just the rhythm of our footsteps and the steady unfolding of conversation. There's something almost magical that happens when we're walking together. Conversations flow more naturally when we're side by side, not face-to-face. There's less pressure to make eye contact or fill every pause. Sometimes we talk a lot, sometimes we don't. But there's always connection. Always presence. Even when we take the same route, it's never the same walk twice. Each day, each season brings its own surprises. Maybe it's the first brave crocus peeking through after a long winter. Maybe it's the crunch of leaves underfoot or the sound of geese overhead. We've learned to notice the small shifts--the way the light hits the sidewalk, the scent of rain coming, the hush that falls just before snow. These walks have become our quiet ritual. A way to reset. To check in. To breathe. Phones away, we notice more. We notice each other. We notice the way someone's dragging a bit more than usual and might need a listening ear. We notice how laughter comes more easily when we're not competing with a screen for attention. We notice the beauty in the ordinary--a squirrel darting across a fence, a neighbor's front porch decorations, the way the trees bend slightly in the wind. Over the years, these simple walks have woven themselves into our family story. They are a part of our big talks and small joys, for processing and celebrating, for being together in a world that so often pulls us apart. Nature has a way of meeting us where we are, exactly as we are. And when we meet it with open eyes and no screens, it offers us something invaluable: presence, perspective, and peace. Phones away. Hearts open. We walk.
I personally love gardening for this. I have found gardening to be an excellent family activity that gets us all outside and working with our hands to create something beautiful. It's the perfect activity for teaching about the natural world, as well as giving kids that appreciation for it. It's a great activity for phones to be left inside, and have all of us outside together. We always see lots of little bugs and critters, which I've found can be really helpful for giving kids an appreciation for life on all scales, along with teaching about ecosystems and how things like pollinators, spiders, and more, all contribute to a healthy garden.
Our two elementary-aged boys seem to have an endless supply of innate energy. They play numerous organized sports, which naturally involve the parental-chauffeured rides and watching. While joyful, the commotion and meeting their various needs makes me feel that I'm constantly "on duty." When it's truly time for us to disconnect from technology, including the kids' gadgets, we seek not only the outdoors, but that which places us all on equal "footing". We do not bring sports equipment, to their initial displeasure. We also do not bring technology except one phone designated as only available for emergencies. Our plan is for active exploring, be it trails, ponds, old buildings, and sometimes even utilizing our kayak or renting other water gear. The kids readily seem to find magic outdoors and I find their loud screams and laughter to be much more tolerable than when expressed indoors. I find their physical skills shockingly good, including the tolerance for long hikes and the climbing of available hills. I respectfully appreciate the subtle surprises that nature presents and how we seem to equalize ourselves, transforming into a team of explorers, rather than kids and parents.
Every second Saturday, we do something we call a "Reverse Safari." It's our oddball family ritual--no phones, no cameras, just notebooks and sketch pencils. Instead of taking photos, we draw whatever catches our eye. Sometimes it's a crooked pine tree, other times it's a beetle crossing a trail like it owns the place. We usually do this at a nearby marsh preserve, where the boardwalk creaks just enough to remind you you're off-grid. My youngest once spent 20 minutes trying to draw a dragonfly in flight. It wasn't perfect, but that wasn't the point. Disconnecting this way teaches us to observe, not just look. It's our way of giving nature the attention it deserves--without filters, captions, or distractions. And somehow, sketching together brings out stories we'd never hear around the dinner table. We always come home sun-drenched and quieter... in the best way.
Every weekend, my family and I grab our binoculars and head out for what we call "bird adventures." It started as a way to get my kids off their tablets, but it's turned into something we all genuinely look forward to. We keep a worn-out field guide in the car and a running list of every species we've spotted. The kids get ridiculously competitive about who can identify a bird first, and I love that they're learning without even realizing it. We usually hit local nature trails just after sunrise when the birds are most active. There's something magical about watching my youngest freeze mid-step because she spotted a bright red cardinal or hearing my oldest whisper "Dad, look!" when a great blue heron takes off from the marsh. We pack sketchbooks too sometimes. My wife's terrible drawings always make us laugh, but the kids take theirs seriously.
We turned our weekly flower market runs into 'Botanical Bingo'--hunting for specific petals, scents, and textures while leaving phones in the car. Now, even grocery store floral aisles become adventures when we play 'Guess the Fragrance' blindfolded. The Royal Horticultural Society found families who engage with flowers this way report 35% less screen-time conflict. Start small: challenge kids to find three different leaf shapes on your block. You'll rediscover nature's artistry in the most ordinary places--no hiking boots required.
Our family's favourite getaway is camping on remote government-owned land where there's no cell signal and no services. It's quiet, simple, and completely unplugged. Without phones or internet, we're free to just enjoy the moment--playing games, exploring the outdoors, and spending real time together. There's something special about being surrounded by nature with no distractions. The days feel slower, the conversations deeper, and the memories stronger.
Disconnecting from technology is my favorite thing to do.. even in the house I make a "no phone zone" in the kitchen. It's only allowed for showing a picture or video to share for a story When going out for a nature walk, or going skiing or swimming or even a walk around the block except for a map and photos it's just not allowed. Phones are an addiction and the more we can disconnect from them the better it is for everyone Everything has a time and place including a phone and unless you're in an emergency in the woods and out in nature there's no need to for a phone so it's a No Phone Zone.
Hi AzBigMedia, One of our favorite ways to disconnect from technology and reconnect as a family is by spending time outside with a blanket, a basket of snacks, and some paints. There's something so peaceful about sitting under the trees with a few brushes and just letting the kids paint what they see--flowers, clouds, trees, or whatever catches their eye. It slows us all down and lets us see the world through their eyes, which is always a gift. Painting outside helps me appreciate the beauty of the natural world in the most personal way. It makes me pause, really look, and take in the little details--how the light hits the grass, how the colors shift with the breeze. It's not about creating perfect art--it's about being present, unplugged, and together. Nature becomes our classroom, our inspiration, and our reset button all at once.
Turn off the technology to create more of a sense of connection with the moment when we are with loved ones. Plain old walks outside are one of the best things we can do to do this. A walk in nature permits us to set devices aside and become active in the world present. A walk in the woods, a stream, or a peaceful park are all things that can offer us the opportunity to lose speed and notice what is present. Nature makes us notice slowing down and taking notice of the world within its natural state. We also like to practice yoga and mindfulness outdoors. Practicing yoga outdoors grounds us more makes us connected to the earth and induces a grounding feeling. It is not ideal poses, but rather being present in every breath and every movement. Nature, wind, sun, and earth bring something special to the practice, creating a calming and centered atmosphere for all of us. It's a practice that takes our attention off the minutiae of daily existence and allows us to be a little more present. Get the family into nature, getting us out from under the machine and reminding us of the necessity of presence, simplicity, and connection to the world around us. It's these quiet times and observing that allow us to develop an attitude of gratitude for the wonder of nature and existence itself.
For me, the most powerful and, at the same time, the most mind-clearing way of connecting with nature is spending time in the wild, being away from all the digital devices--particularly on hiking trails or less crowded parks, where the sensory experience becomes the center of attention. It is not a matter of capturing the most beautiful picture or fitting in many tracks, instead, it is about the pace that is so slow that one really notices the minutest details: the way in which light travels through trees, the surface of leaves, or the template of birdsong. Being a person who collaborates with the photographers and visual creatives, I reckon that the best way to return to creative clarity is through being away from screens. One outdoor activity I usually suggest is going hiking with a sketchpad or journal rather than a phone. The very thing of watching and recording your environment with your hands, thrill the presence and appreciation, which, unlike the technology, almost distracts from. Nature teaches us that not everything needs to exhibit digital or optimization--things are just meant to be lived. And that attitude, I have discovered, tends to stimulate better cognition and deeper relationships with work and family members.
The constant screen time our teens face presents real challenges for family connection, which is why I encourage families to try 'adventure walks' where everyone leaves phones at home. We recently took our kids on a nature scavenger hunt at the local trail, spotting different birds and collecting interesting leaves, which sparked amazing conversations without digital distractions. I find that moving together outdoors, whether it's hiking or just exploring the neighborhood, creates this natural space for authentic connection that's hard to replicate indoors.
My favorite way is to try a "Silent Stroll" instead of chatting during walks, where each family member carries a journal and spends 30-60 minutes observing without speaking, such as listening to bird calls, drawing interesting textures, or writing down smells. Afterwards, everyone shares what they noticed. It helps develop mindfulness and teaches the family to truly see nature rather than just pass through it. These nature walks provide a great opportunity for families to bond and connect with each other. I think every family should practice regular nature walks into their routine, as it provides physical exercise and has numerous mental and emotional benefits. Research has shown that spending time in nature can improve mood, improve creativity, reduce stress levels, and increase overall well-being. In our busy lives, we often get caught up in work and other responsibilities, leaving little time for quality family time. You see, going on a nature walk gives us the chance to disconnect from technology and distractions and focus on spending quality time with our loved ones.
Mushroom hunting completely changed how we hike. Suddenly every walk in the woods feels like a treasure hunt. It's not about eating them (though sometimes we do). It's about slowing down, noticing details, scanning fallen logs and shady spots. Kids love it because it turns "just walking" into exploring. Adults love it because you start seeing a whole hidden layer of the forest you used to miss. Best part? No screens involved. You're looking down, around, talking, guessing, checking field guides later at home. It's immersive, mindful, weirdly calming. Even if you don't find anything edible, you find wonder -- and that sticks way longer than another Instagram sunset.
We're big fans of hiking in the Lake District. Packing a picnic and turning phones off to walk through a trail flanked by rolling hills and scenic views offers a unique experience. It's peaceful, invigorating, and gives us a chance to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of nature. It also gives the kids a healthy outlet to burn off energy while learning to respect and enjoy the outdoors.
One of my favorite ways to disconnect from technology and embrace nature with my family is by going on long hikes, especially in places where we can completely leave our devices behind. We try to find spots that are a bit off the beaten path--those hidden gems where the only sounds are the wind in the trees and birds singing. There's something about being surrounded by untouched beauty that really makes you realize how much we miss when we're glued to screens. One particular activity we love is forest bathing--yes, it sounds a bit woo-woo, but it's all about immersing yourself in nature and being mindful of everything around you. We'll stop along the trail, sit on a rock, or simply listen to the sounds of the forest, which helps us reconnect not just with the world around us but also with each other. It's not about rushing to get somewhere; it's about taking time to really see, hear, and feel everything that nature has to offer. It's moments like these that make you appreciate the beauty of the natural world--and you come away feeling more refreshed and connected as a family, not just to each other, but to the environment. It's a simple, yet powerful way to unplug, reset, and truly enjoy the present.