What if we could nurture tech ready minds with screen free activities? Hannah Hagon’s book ‘Unplugged Tots’ offers a game-changing perspective: the vital skills children need for a future dominated by AI and coding—things like sequencing, logic, and critical thinking—don’t actually require a device.
If you’re a modern parent, you know the feeling: the daily tug-of-war over tablets, anxiety about screen time limits, and the constant struggle to balance a digital world with childhood wonder. We are the first generation navigating this terrain. We’re conflicted, knowing technology is essential for the future, but feeling guilty when the only quiet time comes courtesy of a glowing screen. Adding to that pressure is the increasing chatter from experts about the potential harm screens can inflict on young, rapidly developing brains, affecting everything from attention span to social skills.
How can we prepare our kids for an increasingly tech-driven world without sacrificing the fundamental joys of hands-on play and creativity and safeguarding those malleable brains?
We spoke to Hannah Hagon author of Unplugged Tots for some insight.
The “Aha!” That led Hannah to write Unplugged Tots
For Hannah, the idea for the book was inspired directly by her own daughters at a tech festival in 2018. She watched her two and four-year-olds get captivated by technology, but then struggle when the activities switched to screen-based games.
“Watching them struggle made me realise something important: while screens can be valuable learning tools, they aren’t always the right fit, especially for very young children who learn best through hands-on activities,” Hannah explains.
This inspired her to strike a better balance: fun, structured, creative activities that introduce coding concepts like sequencing and problem-solving without the need for devices. Out of that vision came Unplugged Tots, designed to nurture imagination, fine motor skills, and crucial tech-related skills through play.
Unplugged Play: It’s More Than Just Turning Screens Off
So, what exactly is “unplugged play”? Hannah stresses that it goes far beyond simply putting screens aside.
“At its core, Unplugged Tots is about giving children ages 2½ to 8 the chance to build essential thinking skills—like sequencing, logic, and pattern recognition—through playful, hands-on activities.”
On the surface, the games are fun, but they are secretly helping children strengthen how they process information and solve problems. The activities are designed as a practical toolkit: easy to set up and great for practicing patience, resilience, and teamwork. By stepping away from devices, children naturally tap into their imagination, creativity, and confidence.
Unplugged Activities that show up in Daily Life
Hannah’s book is packed with actionable tips and activities from sorting laundry to a set of rules (or algorithm) to drawing maps of a walk to the park. To show how “unplugged” concepts work, Hannah shared a favourite example that occurred naturally on one of the hottest days of the year.
“To spark problem-solving, I asked the children, ‘What can help us cool down?’ They quickly answered: water, ice, fans. Since we didn’t have ice, I suggested we make our own fans… I folded the paper back and forth, taped one end, and showed how the more rigid fan worked… Each child then followed the same steps with their own paper. In doing so, they practiced memory, fine motor skills, and problem-solving, while also seeing how concepts like algorithms and sequencing apply in real life.”
The Misconception: Not All Screen Use is Equal
Screen time is a nuanced topic, and Hannah’s first piece of advice is to ditch the parental guilt.
“Screen time is such a nuanced topic and I want to stress that we should stop with the ‘shoulds’ and judgement about it. We have no idea what a family is going through when we see a child using a screen.”
She says the biggest misconception is that not all screen use is equal. Screen time can be positive when it’s intentional, like using video conferencing to talk to family or utilising educational apps that support logical reasoning (skills recognised as essential by the World Economic Forum).
“It’s important to ensure that we’re intentional with the use of screens… but real life happens sometimes and when we’re up against it with ALL the adult life admin stuff we have to do, well needs must!”
The Single Most Important First Step
If the idea of going unplugged feels overwhelming, Hannah has a simple mandate:
“Cut yourself some slack, take baby steps and lower your expectations. It takes time to change habits… The secret is making the screen-free entertainment more fun, more of a dopamine hit and more engaging than a screen.”
She sees Unplugged Tots as the antidote to screens—a toolkit for the digital parent who wants to pick up a physical book, leaf through it with their child, and choose an activity together.
Preparing Kids for the AI Future: Creativity is Key
With the rapid rise of AI, the future will demand distinctly ‘human’ skills—like creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Hannah believes unplugged play is the perfect training ground for these.
“Coding isn’t just about computers—it’s about cultivating the thinking habits children will need to thrive in a digital-first world. Coding teaches logical reasoning and problem-solving, but in my activities, it’s wrapped in play, creativity, and collaboration.”
These principles foster human skills like resilience (understanding that “failing forward” is how we grow) and through group activities, children build patience, empathy, and communication.
The Priority Skill for an AI-Driven World
If she had to prioritize one skill to prepare her own children for an AI-driven world, it would be creativity.
“The ability to imagine new possibilities, design solutions, and create something original is what will truly set the next generation apart… Unplugged coding nurtures that creativity—helping children gain confidence as not just consumers of technology, but as creators in their own right.”
The final lesson is that we must give them “the gift of space, time, and freedom.” Allowing them to experience boredom and discover their own screen-free entertainment lays the foundation for resilience, imagination, and invention.
Hannah’s Favourite London Unplugged Gems
We love championing London’s wonderful parks, museums and art galleries and couldn’t help asking Hannah her London top spots for real-world play with her own daughters.
- Discover Story Centre: “An absolute jewel… a gorgeous space to celebrate children, encourage their imagination and give them freedom and space to explore.”
- The British Library: She recommends their amazing family events, especially the Story Explorers sessions.
- Outdoor Adventures: For younger tots, she recommends Coram’s Fields and the fountains at Granary Square (remember a towel!). She also loves the Camley Street Natural Park near Kings Cross—an “oasis of calm, nature” perfect for spotting ducklings.
Hannah Hagon is the author of Unplugged Tots, She is an educator, expert and trailblazer in the conversation around Childhood, Tech and Education.
Unplugged Tots is published by Raspberry Pi Press
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