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2021 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun

November 21, 2021 By Leticia

The links in this best gifts for unplugged family fun post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. 

The best way to get your kids away from screens is to find something they love and my gifts for unplugged family fun can help! Whether you’re searching for a new game for family game night or embarking on an outdoor adventure, this gift guide promotes together time without screens.

Best Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun

This year’s Best Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun is inspired by my own family’s love of games and the great outdoors.  Below you’ll find fun games to play with kids of all ages for your next family game night. Keep reading and you’ll see a list of gifts for families that love spending time in the great outdoors, inspired by my own teens and our love of hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping.I hope some of these gifts will inspire someone you love to get outside to enjoy nature a bit more and unplug in favor of digital wellbeing.

My gifts for unplugged family fun will inspire kids of all ages to put down their phones and enjoy your time together. Be sure to keep reading to the end of this gift guide to enter to win one of my new favorite games- Happy Dim Sum!

Best Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun: Family Game Nights

Best Gifts for Family Game Nights

Happy Dim Sum ($20)

*enter to win a copy of Happy Dim Sum by entering at the bottom of this post*

Enjoying yum cha (tea) while going out for dim sum is a favorite childhood memory that my husband and I have been sure to include as a family tradition. My two teens are skilled at ordering dim sum and even better at strategizing how to make sure my Dad doesn’t pay for the bill when going out to eat together! If this sounds like a game, it now is- Happy Dim Sum!  

I was thrilled when Mercat Games creators, Daniel and Justin, reached out to share Happy Dim Sum with me. This card game includes so much of my culture in the game that I loved it right away! Happy Dim Sum involves serving tasty pieces of Har Gow, Siew Mai and other delights to your fellow diners. Since you never want your guest’s plates to go empty, players need to discover creative ways to load friends’ plates while keeping yours clear. I love that this game includes adorable drawings of my favorite kinds of dim sum and incorporates Asian culture like making sure no one’s plate is empty and even fighting for the restaurant bill. This game is perfect for tweens to play on their own or together as a family with up to 5 players. Games take about 20 minutes and are filled with strategy that will keep you wanting to play this game over and over. Best for ages 8+ Get 10% Happy Dim Sum with the code techsavvymama

FARTING FRENCHIES CARD GAME ($29.99)

Farting Frenchies Card Game

Elementary ages will love this card game where the objective is to collect, feed, and steal each other’s Frenchies. This energetic game is perfect for family game night as players use new tactics and strategies to steal their dogs and battle it out for the title of top dog. The game is fast to learn, can be played with as few as 2 players, and takes anywhere from 15-25 minutes to play. Expansion packs allow for up to 8 people to play together.  Best for ages 5+

Trekking the National Parks ($50)

Trekking the National Parks board game

Celebrate your family’s love of the National Parks with Trekking the National Parks. Created by National Parks lovers, this is the perfect family friendly game that is entertaining and educational. All 60 National Parks are featured in the game through park cards that feature an interesting fact and gorgeous photograph of each one. Each game also begins with a unique setup that alters the play experience in surprising ways, allowing for endless replayability. Trekking the National Parks inspires players to explore the protected natural wonders of America anyone and is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors and board games. A portion of the game proceeds benefit the National Parks Conservation Association. Best for ages 10+ but game creators say this game is easy to teach younger children too.

Random Knowledge ($14.95)

If you’re feeling like you need some family ice breakers to get kids talking, Random Knowledge is a great set of cards to keep at the kitchen table to demonstrate the random knowledge gathered over time. Random Knowledge contains 150 questions that will stretch your family’s imagination and expand your understanding about a variety of topics. Use the cards for a game night answering random trivia questions or just a way to get your family talking and laughing more. Best for ages 10+

ESPN Trivia Night ($18.99)

Tweens will love facing off against family or friends in a high-octane sports trivia game that includes 1,000 sports questions. Play involves drafting sports categories you know you can dominate or playing outside your comfort zone to net the big score. Team play lets you combine your knowledge in this ultimate sports trivia game. Best for ages 10+

The Goonies: Never Say Die ($34.99)

Nostalgic for parents who grew up in the 80s and fun for kids, The Goonies: Never Say Die brings the movie into your living room as you embark on a perilous adventure full of dangerous booby traps and treacherous treasure-filled caverns. One player serves as the Goondocks Master and controls fearsome foes like the Fratelli family and One-Eyed Willie. The other players take on the role of the Goonies — Mikey, Mouth, Chunk, Data, and Sloth — to solve cryptic puzzles and deadly challenges that require teamwork, strategy, and use Data’s clever contraptions! It’s up to you to determine if the Goonies discover the legendary riches that will save their homes, or will they follow the fate of Chester Copperpot… and never see the light of day! Best for ages 12+

Seinfeld: The Party Game ($19.99)

Teens who have been binging Seinfeld on Netflix will love celebrating the hit ’90s TV show in this hilarious head-to-head party game that challenges players to show what they know about the “show about nothing.” Score points by answering trivia questions, charades-style acting, and guessing who said or did some of the most hilarious bits ever aired on television! You’ll even get a chance to fish for the marble rye like George and Jerry did! It’s hundreds of Seinfeld-celebrating activities for outrageous fun! Best for ages 14+

Best Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun: Outdoor Adventures

Best Gifts for Outdoor Adventures

AlpenGlow Lantern from BioLite ($89.95)

AlpenGlow 500 provides gorgeous natural feeling light wherever and whenever you need it. This rechargeable lantern features high-efficiency ChromaReal LED technology. It accurately renders the colors in your environment with the glow of warm natural light to provide a dusk or daylight feel. If you want more color in the great outdoors, shake the lantern for an instant rotation of mesmerizing color. AlpenGlow 500 offers both ambient and task-based light and is always ready for the backyard or the backcountry. BioLite will be offering 25% off sitewide around Black Friday and there will be some items at larger discount on their site!

Landscape Design Double Hammock ($69.97)

Get ready for your next family camping trip with Bear Butt’s new Landscape Design Double Hammock. Designed to bring comfort and beauty to your outdoor adventures, the Landscape Design Double Hammock measures 10’x6’ and is made of highly durable fabric with a bedsheet-soft 210 thread count. The design is inspired by the scenic mountain views and is the perfect road trip companion. The Kodiak Straps make it easy to set up so it’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of driving or hiking. 

BioLite Charge Series ($49.95-$69.95)

Even though it’s important to unplug, it’s also important to ensure that not fully without portable power in case of emergencies during your unplugged adventures. My new favorite charger is the BioLite Charge 80 that features 20,000 mAh, enough power to charge each of our 4 family member’s phones before needing to be recharged. If you’re looking for something a little more lightweight and compact, check out the Charge 20 PD (6,000 mAh, $29.95 ) or the Charge 40 PD (10,000 mAh, $49.95).

All of the BioLite Charge Series feature 18W USB C Charge In/Out port, 2 USB A Charge Out ports, a battery life indicator button, and battery life indicator LEDs. BioLite will be offering 25% off sitewide around Black Friday and there will be some items at larger discount on their site!

Bübi bottle ($34.99)

When enjoying the great outdoors, it’s always important to stay hydrated and Bübi bottle lets you do so without the bulk of carrying an empty around on your adventure. This 35 ounce BPA-Free silicone bottle has a sleek, compact design that can be rolled up and tucked inside your bag or backpack when it’s empty. It’s also easy to clean- just turn it inside out to clean it or throw it in your dishwasher’s top or bottom rack so it’s ready to go on your next outing.

Transition Wrap Extreme: Waterproof Changing Towel and Seat Cover ($49.95)

Sometimes the best adventures leave you wet, muddy, sandy, or all of the above and the Transition Wrap Extreme lets you have your fun but protects your car seats. The Transition Wrap Extreme is a multipurpose changing towel and seat cover that features a belt that goes around your waist so you can change out of your gross clothes quickly.

Orange Mud Transition Wrap Extreme

Then zip up the integrated hoodie pocket and slip the waterproof seat cover over the head rest of your car’s seat to protect your vehicle. The 30’x60” microfiber towel features a waterproof TPU membrane in the middle so no moisture transfers through to your seat.

LIVALL EVO21 BLUETOOTH HELMET ($149.99)

Livall EVO21 Bluetooth Helmet

The LIvall EVO21 Bluetooth Helmet can help keep kids safer on the road when We when biking, skateboarding, and scootering. Smart lighting, SOS alerts, Bluetooth helmet speakers, ability to take hands-free phone calls, and a walkie talkie function are built into this smart helmet.

Built-in LED lights with 270-degree angle can indicate as flashing lights or as stopping and warning lights to help cyclists communicate effectively with other road users. The SOS feature is based on built-in accelerometers in the helmet that alerts emergency contacts of the rider’s GPS location when the rider falls off the bike and does not respond within 90 seconds. The SOS feature is very useful if the rider find himself totally alone in a remote location. Bluetooth helmet speakers and ability to take hands-free phone calls can be useful as well as the Walkie-Talkie function that allows for easy communication with fellow cyclists by pressing the bottom button on the remote control when riding in a group.

Enter to Win Happy Dim Sum!

Daniel and Justin are providing one TechSavvyMama reader with their own game of Happy Dim Sum. To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you enjoy this year’s picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

2021 Gift Guides

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

  • Toddlers and Preschoolers
  • Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2, ages 5-8)
  • Tweens (ages 9-12)
  • Teens (ages 13+)

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

  • STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-tween)
  • Best Age Appropriate Advent Calendars for Kids
  • Fair Trade Holiday Gifts
  • Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun
  • Gifts for Teachers
  • Gifts for People Who Love Their Dogs (inspired by Goldie, of course)

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at last year’s gift guides that are full of great ideas:

  • STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-teen)
  • Gifts for Teachers (from the perspective of a former teacher, with input from current teachers)
  • Best Gifts for Unplugged Fun
  • Gifts for Outdoor Adventures
  • Gifts for Gadget Lovers
  • Best Subscriptions for All Ages
  • Gifts that Give Back
  • Must-Have Gifts to Level Up Your Home Office
  • 9 Gifts that Make it Easy for Families to Give Back

Samples were received to facilitate this post and affiliate links are included. No compensation was received for this post or hosting this giveaway and all opinions are my own. Images courtesy of the companies featured.

Related

Filed Under: Gift Guides Tagged With: gifts, gifts for adults, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, outdoor gifts, unplugged fun

Previous Post: « How to Gift a Cell Phone Without Breaking the Bank
Next Post: 2021 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Teachers You Adore »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rana durham says

    November 21, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    i love to have this as i am very new to it but also up for any challenge

  2. susan says

    November 21, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    I’d love to play with my family because I think we’d have so much fun!

  3. Curtis Lu says

    November 22, 2021 at 1:38 am

    My Family!

  4. Brittany L Brannon says

    November 22, 2021 at 5:23 am

    I would love to play this with my niece!

  5. Heather! says

    November 22, 2021 at 11:22 am

    I’d love to play this game with my granddaughter. I think sHe’d love it!

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Hi! I'm Leticia, founder of Tech Savvy Mama! I'm an award-winning blogger, Washington, DC area mom of teens, middle school computer science teacher, and education consultant.  Read more...

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