This one's a bit long but I think you'll enjoy learning about some of our newest members. Why not pull up a virtual chair, find a new member and say Hi in the comments. For those just exploring, the Summit Classrooms: Cooking, Experts, Crafts/Hobbies, and Tech close today but you can purchase an All Access pass for $16 to see all the cool stuff you missed during our summit earlier this month. For those looking for activities, if you click the Classroom, you'll find the Curious Kitchen, Build, Play, and Story labs. Take a peek and let us know what you try. More labs posting this week. And now, without further delay - let's welcome our newest community members. We're thrilled to have a wonderful wave of new members joining us—people who get it, who believe in the power of play and real connection with the kids in their lives. @Kylie Larsen is here because she's passionate about helping students build confidence and develop winning strategies, and now she's bringing that same energy to family life. She's working through some health challenges with her family and wants her kids: Ry, Evans, and Kinley to trade screens for meaningful time together. @Krissy B is diving in with four little ones under six and a goal to get more hands-on and active in their everyday lives, a beautiful shift toward intentional parenting. @Morning Smiles is here because she's raising a future doctor and wants to nurture her daughter's ambitions while creating lasting memories together. @Angel Gerry loves the idea of using play to build stronger bonds and create meaningful moments with the children she cares about, that's exactly what we're all about here. @Angela Hawkins works with small children and is organized, caffeinated, and ready to find new ways to connect through play. @Natalie Naslund, a first-time homeschooling mom of five, wants to teach her kids to cook and share the joy of the kitchen together.

The summit is live and I'm so excited. Here's a short video to walk you through the set up and I'll include text notes shortly. TLDW (Too long didn't watch) How to Find Your Way Around the Unplug & Play Summit There is a lot waiting for you this week, but finding what you need is simple. 1. Start with the Calendar Select Calendar at the top of our community to see the complete summit schedule. Click any session to view the details and set a reminder so you do not miss it. 2. Explore the four summit themes Open Classroom and choose the area that interests you: - Culinary - Tech - Craft & Hobby - Experts You do not need to complete anything in order. Pick the sessions that sound useful, interesting, or simply fun for your family. 3. Open the individual session page Each page includes information about the speaker, what you will explore during the session, and any resources or special gifts they have shared. This is also where you can return when you want to revisit the material. 4. Join the conversation Come back to the Community tab for announcements, reminders, questions, and conversations throughout the week. Tell us what you tried, what surprised you, and what your family wants to explore next. 5. Want to keep everything? The Unplug & Play All-Access Bundle includes all pre-recorded sessions, recordings of the live sessions, speaker resources, and giveaways in one convenient place. You will have access for the life of our community. he bundle is just $16 through August 22. From August 23 through September 1, the price will be $25. Most importantly, do not put pressure on yourself to attend everything. This is not another checklist. Choose what fits your family, invite the kids when you can, and enjoy creating a few memorable moments together. What session are you most excited to explore?

While @Charlotte Bick and I are busy putting the finishing touches on the Unplug & Play summit I first wanted to thank everyone for being involved and active. I'd also like to invite all of our speakers that are in the community to follow the lead of @Paula Artis, @Cristal Vancarson, @Elliott Robertson, and @Andrew Brooks and take a few minutes to post about your session and ask our fabulous community members what questions they might have about your presentation. This is a great way for everyone to get to know each other while I tidy up behind the scenes. Tomorrow, I'll also be back with more Meet the Speaker updates but in the meantime, @Auli Takala, @Anna Murrietta, @Beth Hanning, @Betty Jo Winters, @Brenda Chilstrom, @Cam Parkes. @Celia Kibler. @Chanie Twersky. @Dale Cox. @Elizabeth Raum. @Gopika Ashok M. @Henry Hunter. @Janell Bitton. @Jen Staniforth, @Joanne Langston. @John Futch. @Kayla Meyer, @Elizabeth Houston, @Max Orlewicz. @Mayelice Castro, and @Tosca Fasso Let's get to know each other and let the community ask some questions.

Does anyone else remember this saying? Either way, here in Tennessee it’s another hot and humid summer day and another reason for ice cream. This week’s Curious Kitchen Lab will focus on sweet science. The first activity goes live tomorrow. Today, a sneak peek in honor of Ice Cream Day. Answer our flavor poll and then let us know if you make your own ice cream. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

A wooden spoon isn’t always a spoon. A cardboard box isn’t always a box. Sometimes the most ordinary objects become the starting point for extraordinary ideas. This challenge is all about seeing everyday household items in new ways. Gather Your Gear - One or more everyday household items - Paper - Pencil, crayons, or markers - Optional: tape, string, cardboard, recycled materials, or other supplies if you decide to build your idea. Steps 1. Explore your home and choose one or more everyday household items. For an extra challenge, pick one item from different rooms of the house. 2. Look closely at each item and ask, “What else could this be?” Write down or say as many ideas as you can before choosing a favorite. 3. Sketch your favorite new use or invention. Don’t worry about making it look perfect. Focus on showing your idea. 4. If you can, build a simple prototype using the item and any other materials you have available. 5. Test your idea. What worked well? What surprised you? 6. Finish by asking: - What would I keep the same? - What would I change next time? - What new idea did this inspire? Twist Combine two unrelated household items into one brand-new invention. For example, what could a whisk and a flashlight become? Or a laundry basket and a pillow? Variations by Age Ages 3–6 Choose one object together. Ask questions like, “Could this be a hat? A telescope? A dragon tail?” Draw one favorite idea, then use the real object to pretend together. Ages 7–12 Challenge yourself to think of at least ten different uses before choosing one to sketch or build. Add labels to your drawing to explain how your invention works. Ages 13–17 Think like an inventor or product designer. What real problem could your new creation solve? Build a simple prototype if possible, then reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how you would improve Version 2.