The Unplugged Family Activity Book

Cute book with lots of activities for families to do all year around. The chapters are divided by season and they're well organized. The activities are quite unique and different and it makes the book cooler. I'm all about family and outdoors and do not agree with giving kids access to technology like a lot of people do today so I did enjoy the content and the idea of this book. I had a great childhood and I want my kids to have the same and this book has activities that I used to do as a kid with my parents and cousins and I love it!

This is a lovely, well illustrated book of nature activities for families to do together, broken down by season. In all honesty, few of them are new to our family, but we tend to do a lot of nature activities already. There are photos of each activity, though many are stock photos. I always appreciate real photos of kids doing the actual projects (there are a few of these, which is nice). The other photos are beautiful, if generic.

Examples of the activities: Spring -- put out nesting material for the birds like cattail fluff, dry moss and pet hair; make lavender syrup (mix it with sparkling water to make soda -- this is one of the few projects we haven't done yet and I keep planning to, although I'm going to try to naturally carbonate it with a pinch of yeast to make lilac soda the way we do for elderflower soda); signs of spring scavenger hunt; herbal first aid balm (I would suggest ID information for this project); planting trees, etc. Summer -- rose petal honey; dragonfly wings (clothes hanger wings covered with pantyhose and decorated); homemade ice cream; camping in the backyard; make a flower bunting; make giant bubbles; make boats from tree bark and leaves, etc. Fall -- make homemade applesauce; plant bulbs; wax fall leaves; make glass jar lanterns (more photos would really have helped with this one); make bread on sticks for the campfire; etc. Winter -- stargazing; make scented playdough; make beeswax candles; make pine cone bird feeders; make ice lanterns; make citrus garlands; make maple snow, have a winter bonfire; make a snow fort, etc.

Another reviewer said the book didn't work well for urban families and I disagree. Everyone has access to birds, stars, a backyard or park, and supplies to make things like mulled cider. Many of them are indoor projects and most can be done with purchased materials if you don't have access to herbs or even pine cones. It's a little better suited for people with proper winters than those in places like Florida, though there are still other projects to have fun there.

Every family should be able to find at least a few fun projects here and some inspiration to suit whatever season you're in.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

Now that so many of us are home more with our kids not being able to go to school, and the fall not looking like it will be the same at school either, it is more important than ever to spend quality time with our kids as they navigate this crazy time we are living through. Our kids tend to go straight for electronics. They love video games, being on the computer, and watching tv, but it is super important to get them off of these devices (although I think it is also absolutely fine that they enjoy technology) and out explorinng. I love that The Unplugged Family Activity Book is set up by seasons and offers many different activities to partake in depending on the time of the year. Most of the activities would be interesting to both littles and older children as well. I loved theat there were several food related activities because everyone in my house loves cooking, but I also like that the activities are varied and celebrate the different season. This is a great book for any parent to have up their sleeve right now.

What a neat book of family activities! I loved how the activities are divided into four seasons. The accompanying photographs for each activity are beautiful. The huge variety of activities range from things to eat, make, grow, etc. I would suggest 4 and up for the activities, but some are surely better for children maybe 8 and above. I'd say pick and choose according to your child's ability and interests. This will surely assist parents in raising socially conscious citizens that enjoy nature.

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds Press for providing this ARC.

The cover of this book is eye catching and bright and colourful. This book has so many activities good for all the family who wants to get in touch with nature. We like that it is spilt in to seasons, so you can choose by which season it currently is. Each activity is set out really well with a photo as well as good descriptions and how long each activity will take and the equipment you may need. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

This book is awesome. There are wonderful ideas to do with my 2 yr old granddaughter. Something for all seasons that are easy for young children up to adults. I can not wait to take advantage of so much fun and can be done even Social Distancing.

What a well organized, beautifully illustrated resource. I found myself relaxing just looking at the activities. I am looking forward to diving into these activities with my 6 year old daughter. I know her older siblings will want to join in on many of the activities as well. The book is well organized and divided by seasons to help us keep track of favorite seasonal activities we may discover together. This book just gave us so many wonderful ideas on how to unplug and connect with nature and each other.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book encourages families to unplug and try other kinds of activities, everything from playing board games to nature walks to crafts to cooking and more.  The case is very well made.  Early in the book, it is suggested that kids and their families try to unplug from devices for even as little as 30 minutes.  They know that this can be a challenge.


The book is divided into sections based on the seasons.  For instance in spring, there is a suggested scavenger hunt.  Summer suggestions include a bark and leaf boat regatta, while for fall, you could make bonfire bread or baked apples.  One of the winter suggestions is building a snow fort.


This book has many photos throughout.  They add to the text and are quite appealing.  In all, this is a good book to get folks away from devices and into the real world.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is an extensive craft, activity and recipe book using the natural world around you. The Amazon listing states it's suitable for ages eight to twelve, I have a three year old and many of the activities are great fun to do with him and I think are suitable for a very wide audience and the whole family from younger children to young teens. The older they get the more they can do for themselves, but there's no reason you can't do all these with anyone from three up! Some are more involved and complicated than others so there's a good selection.

I think it's always good to have more ideas for things to do, these are in depth ideas that are different to many of the things I've seen online and I love the thematic approach of splitting it up into seasons. This goes well with education as well as scavenging for supplies like leaves and flowers. I also appreciated the advice peppered throughout, as well as the ideas for challenges to set the kids.

It is a little American-centric in some terminology and ingredients (for example, if in the UK use apple juice where it says apple cider!) but I was very happy to see measurements and weights in both imperial and metric. The resources section also lists websites that are American, but it's easy enough to google for a local stockist of supplies. That's really the only negative thing I can say, since I'm reading it from the UK, and it's very minor.

On the whole an excellent resource for any parent who wants to get the family away from the TV and the screen and into the natural world to get hands on, create and cook.

This is such an amazing book! Technology is a wonderful thing- but so is putting it down at times and doing family activities while unplugging. I loved that the book was divided up by the four seasons with a wide range of activities that include things such as cooking, crafts, things to grow and much more. The pictures were absolutely beautiful. All families can surely benefit from this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A great parenting resource full of outdoor ideas plus beautiful pictures and an easy-to-follow format. I loved the seasonal arrangement and found the ideas engaging and doable for my younger children. Some of the ideas were new to me and I loved how it sparked additional ideas for me and my kids. The activities are fairly adaptable and the fun we had unplugging together was priceless. If you’re looking to unplug and enjoy the outdoors, this is a great place to start!

* I received an ARC copy from NetGalley, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Unplugged Family Activity Book (60+ Simple Crafts and Recipes for Year-Round Fun) By Rachel Jepson Wolf. 2020. Fair Winds Press (ARC eBook).

Waxed-leaf garlands, bark and leaf boats, stargazing, and bonfire bread. The Unplugged Family Activity Book has clear instructions and great photographs of the crafts, sweets and activities. Divided into the four seasons, each section has entries that range in difficulty level, prop/supply requirements and outdoor necessity. So there should be activities to suit the rainy day or the budget-minded family alike!