10 Ways to Celebrate the Global Day of Unplugging in the Kitchen
Let’s be honest — most of us check our phones a lot. 📱
Between group chats, work emails, social media, and that one app that keeps reminding you to drink water, our screens are always within arm’s reach.
The Global Day of Unplugging is the perfect excuse to take a break from the scroll and reconnect with something better: good food and good company.🍕🍹
So put the phones in a basket, gather around the kitchen, and try one of these 10 fun ways to unplug — from family pizza night to cocktail hour with friends!
Family-Friendly Ways to Unplug
1. Let the Kids Plan Dinner
Give the kids the power for the night. Let them choose the menu, help make a grocery list, and jump in the kitchen.
Maybe it’s taco night. Maybe it’s breakfast for dinner. Maybe it’s a wildly creative pizza with toppings you never saw coming.
Either way, you’ll get a meal and some laughs!
2. Build-Your-Own Pizza Night
This one never misses.
Set out bowls of toppings — pepperoni, veggies, cheeses, sauces — and let everyone create their own pizza masterpiece.
Kids love the creativity, adults love the simplicity, and nobody is staring at a screen while deciding how much cheese is too much cheese. (Answer: there is no such thing.)
3. Bake Something Simple Together
You don’t need to tackle a complicated recipe. Cookies, brownies, or even boxed cake mix can turn into a fun family project.
Let kids measure, stir, and decorate. The kitchen might get a little messy, but that’s part of the memory!
Bonus: warm dessert at the end.
4. Try a “Chopped” Style Kitchen Challenge
Split into teams and give everyone a few random ingredients.
Your mission: create a snack, appetizer, or mini dish using what you’ve got.
Kids love the competition, and parents will be impressed by how creative little chefs can get.
5. The Family Taste Test
Pick a category — salsa, chips, ice cream, or even hot sauce — and do a blind taste test.
Rate each one and crown a winner!
Unplugging for Couples
6. Cook a Meal Together (Without the Rush)
Instead of dividing kitchen duties, cook together.
Turn on music, pour a drink, and take your time making something you normally wouldn’t on a weeknight.
No phones. No emails. Just good food and conversation.
7. Make Craft Cocktails at Home
If you want to make the evening feel a little special, mix up a cocktail together.
Enjoy a guest favorite recipe:
101 Old Fashioned
Ingredients
2 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon
0.25 oz. Luxardo Liqueur
1 dash Angostura Bitters
0.5 oz. soda water
1 Luxardo Cherry
1/2 moon orange
Instructions
In a rocks glass, muddle the flesh of the orange & luxardo cherry together.
Add the bourbon, Luxardo liqueur & splash of soda.
Drop in a large cube & swirl a few times to mix.
It’s simple, classic, and perfect for a slow evening at home.
Girls Night
8. A DIY Taco or Appetizer Bar
Invite a few friends over and keep things casual.
Lay out ingredients for tacos, nachos, or small bites so everyone can build their own plate. It keeps the night relaxed and interactive.
And honestly, food tastes better when everyone’s standing around the kitchen chatting.
9. Dessert & Wine Night
Instead of a full dinner, keep it simple with dessert and a bottle (or two) of wine.
Think brownies, cookies, chocolate, or even a charcuterie board with something sweet.
No reservations. No rushing. Just a cozy night in.
10. Host a Recipe Swap
Everyone brings a favorite recipe written down on a card.
Share the story behind it, pass them around, and maybe cook one together.
It’s a great way to discover new dishes and start a tradition you can repeat every year.
The Simple Rule for the Day
Before any of these activities start, grab a bowl or basket and have everyone drop their phones in it.
You’ll be surprised how quickly the conversation flows when nobody is checking notifications.
The National Day of Unplugging isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a little space to slow down, cook something together, and enjoy the people sitting across the table.
And sometimes, that’s the best recipe there is.
