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How To Use Technology to Encourage Family Time

by Katie Wallace | Updated: September 3, 2019

Whether we are at home or on an RV trip with our family to another camping destination, chances are we’re using a good deal of electronics and technology everywhere we go. All that tech needs a good amount of reliable power to keep the fun experiences going. New Duracell Optimum batteries are a great solution for devices that run on AA or AAA batteries.

This story was produced in partnership with Duracell. All opinions are mine alone. #DuracellOptimumBrandPartner

Technology today can be a blessing and a challenge. We love the convenience of battery powered tools such as flashlights and GPS devices. We also recognize the need to limit technology, such as in the case of kids’ screen time. By setting limits and using technology strategically, we can easily enjoy the benefits and even use technology to encourage family time.

Play video games together as a family

Play video games together as a family

Everyone in our family loves playing video games, whether individually or together. Video games are a great activity for us to enjoy some friendly competition in a setting that’s relaxing and convenient. Siblings can compete against each other or join forces to challenge dad. A video game night is a great way to end a busy week and spend some family time together.

Our four video game controllers combined use quite a bit of battery power. It’s important to use long-lasting batteries, so we are less likely to run out of juice in the middle of a race.

The new Duracell Optimum batteries come in AA and AAA sizes. Duracell Optimum AA batteries are a reliable power source which can deliver extra life* in some devices or extra power* in other devices, vs. Coppertop AA/AAA.

Efficiently power remote control toys

Efficiently power remote control toys

Our kids also enjoy toys that allow them to interact with their environment in new ways. Kids love driving a remote controlled vehicle because each push or pull of the controls makes the vehicle move or turn. To master the toy, kids must learn how to use the unique controls to effectively navigate obstacles. A remote control vehicle creates a fun series of on-going experiments and observations about “what happens when I do this?” If there’s only one toy, kids can practice sharing and enjoying the activity together, both driving and watching.

Duracell Optimum batteries in store display
*Delivers extra life or extra power, vs. Coppertop AA/AAA in a wide range of devices.

Duracell is the #1 trusted battery brand, and Duracell Optimum batteries are a great choice for powering remote-control toys. You can find these batteries at your local Albertsons or Safeway to conveniently purchase alongside your other summer family essentials.

Efficiently power remote control toys Duracell Optimum batteries
*Delivers extra life or extra power, vs. Coppertop AA/AAA in a wide range of devices.

Equip kids with gear for outdoor adventures

Finally, when we are not enjoying family life at home, we are often looking forward to our next outdoor expedition. As avid RVers and family adventurers, we know it’s very important to bring along essentials such as water, a reliable flashlight and good shoes. Sometimes an outdoor hike or float down the river takes longer than expected. We like to be prepared with pocket-sized flashlights. Tools like our handheld GPS also need to be reliable so that it lasts all day long.

Duracell Optimum batteries for family camping adventures  *Delivers extra life or extra power, vs. Coppertop AA/AAA in a wide range of devices.

We recently took our family to Glacier National Park and stayed in our RV toy hauler for several days. We enjoyed hiking during the day and seeing the beautiful stars overhead in the wide Montana sky. Although we’re technically “glamping”, many of the places we typically camp don’t have water or electrical hook-ups. Use of our laptops and charging devices is limited, so we rely on our stash of batteries to keep our camping essentials going such as flashlights, lanterns and GPS devices.

RV camping near Glacier in Montana

Duracell Optimum batteries effectively power flashlights on family camping trips
*Delivers extra life or extra power, vs. Coppertop AA/AAA in a wide range of devices.

A reliable battery brand is important for powering up your family’s activities at home or on the road. The new Duracell Optimum batteries are great to have on hand for family game night, your electronic toys, and your brightest flashlight. After all, your technology is only as reliable as its power source.

Where will your family adventures lead you?

Family kayaking on the Saint. Joe river near St. Maries Idaho

How To Use Technology to Encourage Family Time

Katie Wallace
Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!

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9 Comments
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Michelle J Cantu
Michelle J Cantu
6 years ago

I legit just had a conversation with my husband on buying better batteries. We literally shake batteries in our remote trying to give them more life. It’s comical, but how necessary they are for everything we use.

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Yeah Lifestyle
Yeah Lifestyle
6 years ago

There are some great ways in which you can spend time with the family and still use gadgets! We swear by Duracell Optimum batteries as well as we find it is longer lasting, we tend to use it for video games which my kids play with my husband on the… Read more »

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Catherine
Catherine
6 years ago

Great way to turn make technology work for the family and find ways to use it to bring everyone closer. It’s tough today in this digital age but you’ve shared great tips!

Reply
Arya
Arya
6 years ago

I truly believe in what you are sharing. Technology can be an amazing tool to educate our kids.

Reply
Amy K
Amy K
6 years ago

I can still remember the days during my childhood where I never experienced technology. It was so happy back then. Sometimes unplugging is a great idea to make quality time with your family.

Reply
Jasemine Denise
Jasemine Denise
6 years ago

This is the first time in a long time that I read an article that wasn’t encouraging people to unplug with their children. I love, love, love this. Thanks for sharing and encouraging parents to take advantage of the new age!

Reply
Ashley Rollins
Ashley Rollins
6 years ago

As a kid, I grew up in the country. We would play Ghosts in the Graveyard all the time with flashlights. It was one of my favorite memories!

Reply
Stacie
Stacie
6 years ago

We love to play video games together. It’s so much fun because my husband and I grew up with those games, too. It’s a great way to bond.

Reply
Kumamonjeng
Kumamonjeng
6 years ago

I love your ideas here and video games can be fun too if we play it together with the kids, great bonding activities.

Reply

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The struggle is real when charging our family’s de The struggle is real when charging our family’s devices! 😀 We try to balance screen time with learning and adventures while traveling. 

Phones & tablets can be helpful for language learning and some games/entertainment. 📱

Our watches double as GPS tracking for our kids, and the drone is fun for capturing unique video content!

💬 Which devices do you bring when traveling with your kids? 

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschool family, worldschooling, exploring with kids
The struggle is real when charging our family’s de The struggle is real when charging our family’s devices! 😀

We try to balance screen time with learning and adventures while traveling with our kids. But phones & tablets can be helpful for language learning and some games/entertainment. 📱Our watches double as GPS tracking for our kids, and the drone is fun for capturing unique video content!

💬 Which devices do you bring when traveling with your kids? 

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschool family, worldschooling, exploring with kids
Girls spa day! 😊🌸 We got pedicures at a nail studi Girls spa day! 😊🌸 We got pedicures at a nail studio near our house, and it was such a fun way to spend time together. 💕🇲🇽 @teenglowtravel @just.sylvie.xo 

💬 What activities do you enjoy doing with your daughter? Comment below👇

One thing we love about living in Mérida, MX is how affordable beauty treatments can be. It’s easy to enjoy a little pampering without breaking the budget!

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, worldschooling
The house search is on! 🏠🌴 We’re looking for a lon The house search is on! 🏠🌴 We’re looking for a long-term rental house in Mérida, Mexico. Our wish list includes:

 • 4 bedrooms
 • spacious family room
 • workspace / homeschool room
 • pool to cool off from the heat
 • space for hosting! 

Do you think we’ll find our dream home in Mérida? 😁☀️🌴 We still have one more house to look at!

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, worldschooling
Cerrado los lunes! 😟☀️ We showed up at the zoo onl Cerrado los lunes! 😟☀️ We showed up at the zoo only to discover it was closed on Mondays. 

Thankfully, our family has gotten pretty good at pivoting when plans change. Instead of heading home, we set off on a mile-long walk to Centro Histórico Mérida and turned an unexpected detour into an adventure.

We explored local markets, enjoyed tacos and sopa de lima for lunch, and let the kids burn off energy at a park. The Mérida heat definitely called for a treat, so we stopped for fruit bars that cost just 40 pesos (about $2.50) each. We made it home just in time for Juliet’s nap!

Next time, we’ll check the zoo schedule before we go. But honestly, this unexpected change of plans turned into a pretty great day!

✨ Takeaways:

• Travel helps build resilient kids. When plans change, they learn to adapt, stay positive, and enjoy the adventure anyway.

• Some of our best experiences happen when things don’t go as planned. The zoo will still be there another day! 🦓🐊🦛

• We’re growing in Spanish every day. The kids are becoming more confident with pronunciation, casual phrases, and new vocabulary as we navigate life in Mexico.

💬 What do you want to know about our life in Mexico?

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring! 
➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures 🌎🩵

homeschool family, travel with kids, adventure family, worldschooling, kids who travel, merida mexico, family travel
Hola from Mérida! 🇲🇽☀️ Our first week has been cha Hola from Mérida! 🇲🇽☀️ Our first week has been challenging and rewarding as we settle into life in Mexico with our 4 kids!

• We’re finding our new normal, discovering favorite stores, trying grocery delivery, getting used to air-drying clothes and doing dishes (no clothes dryer or dishwasher). 

 • We’ve almost finished all steps for receiving our family’s permanent residency cards. Praying for successful completion!

 • Also experiencing frequent tropical afternoon downpours, magnificent and soaking! 🌴

 • Being without city water for 20 hours, which impacted washing dishes and taking showers. We used our rooftop water tank sparingly. 

 • House hunting & touring several long term rental houses; we hope to find a good fit for our stay-at-home lifestyle and hosting too!

I keep reminding myself that we moved here! We’re not just visiting for a few weeks. 🤯😄

Overall, we’re grateful. ☀️🙂 It’s been a good first week, and we’re excited to continue settling in and discovering what life in Mérida has in store for our family!

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, worldschooling, Mérida Mexico
I can’t believe in 2 days, we head to Merida, Mexi I can’t believe in 2 days, we head to Merida, Mexico to live there for two years! 🇲🇽 Our goal is to gain dual citizenship, work on learning Spanish, and get to know the local culture. We also look forward to welcoming baby # 5 in October, another GIRL! 🩷🦩🥰

North Idaho has been so good to us, and we will miss our friends and family! 

Thanks for praying for our family on our journey! 🩵🌎

Hi! We’re the Wallace family 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, worldschooling
So many fun squishies, NeeDohs, and dumplings! 🥹🍕💧 So many fun squishies, NeeDohs, and dumplings! 🥹🍕💧 @needohofficial @hallmark
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