We have reached our final group of Expert speakers, and they are taking us somewhere important. Beyond the activities, schedules, and things families make together is a bigger question: What are we helping children carry into the world? @Beth Hanning opens the conversation with Illustration Scholarship Journey on Sunday, August 16, from 7:00–8:00 PM CDT. @Betty Jo Winters helps families think more intentionally about play in the pre-recorded session How to Choose the Best Toys. @Elizabeth Raum brings us The Joys of Reading With Kids on Thursday, August 20, from 2:00–3:00 PM CDT. @Gopika Ashok M makes an essential life skill approachable with the pre-recorded session Finance in 60 Seconds. Art. Play. Books. Money. They may look like four unrelated topics. They are really four ways families help children explore ideas, make choices, develop confidence, and imagine what might come next. That feels like the right way to close our Expert introductions. What is one question you would like to ask any of our experts? Drop it in the comments. Not with one answer to family life, but with more doors to open together. Unplug & Play begins Sunday.

The calendar is filled. The classroom is almost ready. Our speakers are preparing. And Unplug & Play is beginning to feel very real. On Sunday, we stop talking about what is coming and start cooking, creating, questioning, experimenting, and playing together. You do not need to attend every session or create the perfect summit plan. Choose the experiences that make your family curious. Add one that stretches you a little. Leave room for something unexpected. The complete schedule of live events is waiting in the calendar. Take another look today and tell us: Which session has already earned a place on your family’s must-do list? P.S. While you are waiting, why not explore the active classrooms?

Come try something new. Not become an expert. Not produce something perfect. Just try. Our Craft & Hobby speakers are bringing six very different invitations to Unplug & Play. @Auli Takala will help families pick up a crochet hook. @Cam Parkes is opening the door to role-playing and shared adventures. @Cristal Vancarson is turning family photography into an experience families can enjoy together. @Joanne Langston brings art and storytelling together. @John Futch is inviting families to explore music through guitar. @Mayelice Castro will help kids and caring adults begin learning French together. You may already see something your family would love. Start there. Then look again at the experience that makes you think, “That isn’t really us.” Try that one too. Shared interests do not always begin with a long-held passion. Sometimes they begin with a crochet hook, a camera, a guitar, a few French words, or one family member saying, “Why not?” Unplug & Play begins August 16.

We're thrilled to have so many passionate people here who believe in the power of play to transform families and communities! @Thomas Czerwonka is here seeking to be a better father to his kind son, and he brings a gentle spirit grounded in honesty and deep conversation exactly what this community thrives on. @Vasi Smith is a transformational coach supporting creators in overcoming addictive behaviors, and with two boys practicing independence, she's ready to explore play as a healing tool. @Kristin Winstanley is a CPA and marketing leader from Arizona with a spirited 3-year-old sensory seeker. She's looking to reduce mental load around play activities. @John Futch has spent 25 years teaching music and built Notelife to help families stick with instruments without burnout with a 12 and 9-year-old, he's here to foster musical homes. @Beth Hanning is a book coach and Stephen Minister from Florida who's mentored around 100 students and writes children's books, she brings wisdom about mentorship and play-based learning. @Angie Fuller is a marketing project manager navigating motherhood with a 5 and 1-year-old, seeking deeper connection through play. @Dale Cox is a professional food scientist whose company publishes experiment-based courses for kids, perfect for families wanting hands-on learning with play. @Kathy Bee Hampton from Southern California is a producer and dream maker with award-winning kids' musicals and experience mentoring through play. @Elliott Robertson is a retired Holding Space facilitator who helps people discover their inner glory and cultivate expansive identities exactly the mindset play requires. @Danielle Powers spent 30 years as an infant-preschool teacher and is a fierce advocate for child-led play she's the real deal when it comes to understanding how kids learn through exploration.

Did you know that sometimes, I feel like I'm back in high school working on the yearbook team. Did anyone else have a high school yearbook? Did you volunteer? Why do I say that? Well, I'm also a member of Skool Events Daily, hosted by our very own @Heather Wilson and I get to see what's happening early as a member. If you are looking for different events to attend or if you're a community owner looking to get the word out. This is a great option. This week, all of the Live Unplug & Play sessions are featured and in the supplement, all sessions are included. I know several have asked to see what's happening, consider this your planning guide. More to come soon.