101 Things To Do Instead of Playing on Your Phone

by Ilka Heinemann

101 Things to Do Instead of Playing on Your Phone [Paperback] Ilka Heinemann

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Scarlet Cameo · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many times did you find yourself boring with nothing than your phone to spend the time? Never, me neither (almost all the time I have a book or the Kindle) but this book is so awesome if you are not in the mood to read someting. I know that these days, apparently, everyone is always connected, but i'm not, i'm a little stingy about spend money on internet that isn't the one I have at my home, trully believe that I don't need be connected all the freaking day, even when more than one time I discover myself searching dumb things at the web or just killing time here at GR, but sometimes i really wish to do something different and this one is a good choice.

This is a compilate of activities that you can do everywhere, like really, no matter where you are, there's at least one activity you can play, and if you are with kids this is a great thing to had. This isn't a serious book, is more like a Find Waldo or Wreck this journal, something that you take for entertaiment purpouse only and honestly, at the begining, I didn't know if I will actually buy it for myself but is so fun to do that I know that I wish a physical copy.

A digital copy of this book was provided by NetGalley

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's summertime and my thirteen year old can commonly be found in his room with his phone shoved in his face. It takes a lot of redirection to get him to return to the real world because apparently the digital world is so much more interesting.


I get it. I use my own phone often to read ebooks and as my primary source for listening to music and audiobooks. When I have a question or need an idea or recipe, it's my phone I'm reaching for. I drive myself from point A to point B quickly because the apps on my phone give me traffic reports and direction. I'm just as guilty. Anyone who owns a smartphone is likely far more dependent on it than they would care to admit. I am and I don't like this bit of truth even though I have yet to do anything about it. Well, here's a start!

101 Things to Do Instead of Playing on Your Phone provides 101 ways to spark creativity, exercise your body and mind, increase self-awareness, learn something new, prompt organization, practice social skills, find your calm, and set goals. This book is far more than a time-killer. While reading (yes, the ebook lol), it was clear this collection of ideas was originally designed for paperback usage as a few of the entries have designs to color, dots to connect, etc. Even though I couldn't complete these particular tasks within the ebook format, it still worked because it gave me the idea to do the tasks - which was something I hadn't thought about doing beforehand. Entries that prompt list making, fill-in-the-blanks, and other writing tasks are easily completed on a separate sheet of paper. It should be noted that there are a few tasks (such as thinking about your first kiss, thinking about how others around you look naked, and writing a poem that includes multiple words including the word 'sex') that may not be appropriate for all ages and parental judgment should be used. I am so glad I came across this fun and useful collection. Check it out!

According to the author's bio, "Ilka Heinemann is a teacher. This is her first book. She only looks at her phone between 6 and 7pm."

Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of 101 Things to Do Instead of Playing on Your Phone. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing.
Source: NetGalley
Author: Inka Heinemann
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Pub Date: 01 Aug 2017

[Anusha Narasimhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tips mentioned in this book are mostly known, but when we are obsessed with screens, it is hard to focus on other things and try out something else. Having a book that sums up what to do instead of being on the phone helps curb the addiction.

Also, I frequently see adults handing out their phones to kids for playing because the kids aren't interested in anything else and the adults can't seem to inspire or control them. Some of the tips in this book could help keep kids occupied when their friends are not around to play.

I would recommend it not for the tips, but for the idea of reminding people that there are things they can do that don't involve phones. Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous little book of things to do and think about instead of being on your phone. Small enough to fit in your bag if you go out. I got one to use when working so I can take healthy mini-breaks.

Features tasks like putting a list of words into a poem, drawing a selfie, solving riddles, capturing thoughts and writing them down, sudoku, chess, looking for listed things around you, happy things to do, think and say. Very nice book that would make a lovely gift also. Great price on Amazon.

[Vellum Voyages · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 helms


Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)

Such a fun book and it made me smile! So many things we forget to do just because we are so taken with our phones! This book is a perfect reminder of the simpler things in life and what we used to do before technology took over. Colouring in, practising your multiplication tables, relaxation techniques, creative writing, reading poetry are some of the activities and it has something to suit individual tastes! You don’t have to go in order, just pick one and do it and forget about the world for a few minutes :)

Perfect as a gift for someone or for yourself! Great to have around the house or the car for long road trips with your loved ones as it will definitely make the journey more pleasurable. Enjoy the phone break up and enjoy the nostalgia of putting pen to paper!

*Thank-you Ilka Heinemann, Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.

[Arra · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you live in the digital age, people can't help but look on their phones every chance they get. The scrolling power is endless and we can't seem to get enough. We are never satisfied. I believe I am still lucky for having enough patience to endure days without internet or gadgets. I can still survive a day by just reading a book, writing all day, playing board games, and the list goes on. I can't say that I can totally live without technology because that's such an ideal thing to say but a day or two without my phone is bearable. My friends know that I love digital detoxing. I do it often especially when I'm on vacation or just having my me-time. They keep telling me how can I do it, how can I not update my Instagram account when I'm in such an amazing place. Because as much as I want to share what I see, do and visit to the internet world, I want to experience it first-hand. I don't want to miss any spectacular moment just because I'm too busy trying to capture it in my phone. I don't want to live a life based on my feed.

That's why I like this book. 101 Things To Do Instead of Playing on Your Phone is actually a good source to help you discover new things when you can't think of something to do. It listed a lot of ways that will make you see things in a better perspective and appreciate the little joys in life. I believe such books are all also necessary nowadays to awaken our generation who are too blinded by the bad side of technology--portraying a too good to be true or a visually appealing life, screen-based interactions, superficial relationships, etc.-- and to open the new generation who were and still being born with short-attention spans and materialistic views to another world beside the new game they're playing in their tablets.

I definitely recommend this book. It's a nice way to bond with your kids and also to challenge yourself to do digital detox once in a while. Trust me, you're not missing out when you don't update your status. You're just keeping up with reality and seeing how beautiful life is.

[Katherine Philbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of the book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Make sure to read more reviews at Katherine's Book Reviews.

101 Things To Do Instead of Playing On Your Phone is an entertainment book by Ilka Heinemann. It is a book that effortlessly brings you back to a time before cells phone existed by listing lots of fun activities you can do that don’t involve your phone- 101, to be exact. These activities include drawing your selfie, learning how to read your own palm, and coloring in pages. Simply, this book is a friendly reminder that although phones are important in this day and age, you should take a breather from it every once in awhile to wind down and let your creative juices flow.

101 Things To Do Instead of Playing On Your Phone is a fun and imaginative quick read that people of all ages will enjoy. Based on the genre, the writing is quick and snappy which allows the audience to be captivated quickly. I personally really like this book; the illustrations are beautiful and the activities work my brain and could keep me busy all day. I can perfectly imagine seeing this book in trendy stores for teens such as Francescas or Newbury Comics. My only complaint is that if you are reading this book on a tablet like I am, then you cannot do certain activities like color or connect the dots. However, the book as a whole is certainly entertaining and would make a great gift for anyone. I suggest this book to all people, especially teens, who are addicted to their cellphone. This book teaches you that every once in awhile it is okay to stray away from technology and let your mind wander the world.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

'101 Things to Do Instead of Playing on Your Phone' by Ilka Heinemann is a rather pointed ebook to maybe hand to certain people in your life (or yourself).

We live in a smartphone obsessed society. You don't have to look around much to see that. This book offers tips like 'Draw a Selfie' or tips for limbering up your shoulders and ankles.

The problem is that it's replacing mindless activity with more mindless activity in some cases, and the ones that appear more mindful are treated as the rest. It's pretty light in content and I'm not sure I'd recommend it or even buy it as a gift book.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic little book to buy as a present for someone who needs their phone surgically removing from their hand!! It would be great as a birthday, Christmas or Secret Santa present for a colleague at work - we all know the people who are addicted to their phones!! Fab little ideas and fun things in this book as an alternative to social media - 5 stars from me, it is a great idea for a book!

[Rachel McKenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would make an excellent (and somewhat pointed) graduation gift to the high school or college senior in your life (though not middle school, as a bit more complicated than that). As for adults, I could imagine someone using it on a subway, but some of the activities felt better suited to a younger audience. Over all, a good variety of things to do-- mathematical, relaxation, creative, memory-based... As someone who is trying to reduce my own device usage, I liked many of the ideas!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Aditi Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a must have by your side!

[Saarah Niña · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better suited for young teens

I delved into this book with the expectation that it would be different to the experience of receiving a lecture regarding phone use. It was different in respect to this, hence the three stars. For me, though, the book's biggest flaw was that it was relatively unremarkable. Each page was covered with a different task, a different thing to do, a sudoku, a dot-to-dot, write a letter to a stranger, have a nap etc. The ideas were quite unoriginal, something I can't fault the author for- since dozens of lists have been made, and books written, on this subject.

I would say, this book would perhaps be better appreciated by a younger person. Usually it may not be appropriate but these days, ten year olds seem to own their own phones. I can't help but think that it's a one-time use kind of book: once all activities have been done, it would most likely be tossed aside.

It did have a journal feel to it, with activities like write a bucket list, or a poem using a handful of words from the bottom of the page. Personally, I think this book would be better were it to include more blank pages- just to write anything. It would then feel less forced- less like a guidebook or assignment. More fun and natural. I suppose if you were gifting it to someone, it would be better if you paired it with a notebook or journal.

I received this book through NetGalley.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the books you should have in a printed format. Reading it on your computer/smartphone defeats the purpose of the book. I wish I could have it in my purse, bringing it with me when I am waiting for a friend or on an appointment.

Most of these activities, you need the book or a pice of paper. Not to mention a pen. Most of the time spent on a phone is to make time go, and I hoped the activities would have been presented in a better way spend time without needing to plan or to have things with you. I also hoped the book had presented more stuff to do together as the biggest problem is that we spend less time with each other, and more on our phones.

It is still a nice book. I remind me of the activity books I used to have as a child. The drawings are cute, and the book is an easy read. The activities can be done without to much of a hazard, if you only have pen and paper at your disposal. But I do not think this book will keep people from using their phones.

*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Paul Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when the title tells you everything you need to know. However, I’m reading this on a tablet, so it was a little hard remembering it’s meant to be a physical book, which makes things like Draw a Selfie and Coloring very difficult, though not as impossible as Cutting out the Paper Airplane.
Kids’ games abound, my faves being I Spy and Cloud Zoo. Smile at someone, see if they smile back. Play Fashion Adviser has too much opportunity to turn to the dark side. I particularly like the Giving Awards one, though the fun in it is coming up with the right awards.
But there’s also quite a bit of stuff like Write Your Grocery List for Tonight’s Meal or Bucket List where it’s the same as doing it on the phone, and would be simpler. Still, most of it is fun stuff, as well as things to think about.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, such a great little book that you can take with you anywhere.
Yes some of the suggestions appear like common sense but it appears we have lost all common sense where our phones are concerned, especially the younger generation.
Some of the suggestions are practice your times tables or write poetry, many can be done alone or with family/friends.
I would actually give this book as a gift and will be purchasing a paper copy for myself and the kids to carry around in the future.
I feel lucky to have received a free e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Ani · Rating 1 out of 5]

i love the idea of this book but the actual suggestions are rubbish- so contrived and cringey. Maybe the target audience is actually 13 year olds? Many activities compel you to use google to look for answers to the questions or require you to be surrounded by strangers. i wish it had actual productive activity suggestions (like how to crochet or make origami or poach the perfect egg or fix a leaky tap or do a backflip ), things that feel worthwhile but these activities made me feel my time is better spent on my phone!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book. So often we automatically whip out our phones while waiting and tap at it mindlessly hoping to entertain ourselves. This book presents alternative, more fulfilling ideas. Some are more serious, some are just plain fun. The book's layout is clean and interesting. It is a great pocket guide to keep in your bag. Some would spark fun conversations with a friend or child.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept behind this book is quite fun, but I’m not convinced it’s particularly effective. Some of the tasks are too involved, to the point at which you’d need to carve out an hour to do them. It could easily be more of a time sink than your phone is.

Still, I enjoyed this book a little more than I might otherwise have done because it was a gift from my girlfriend, just because. And I should add the caveat that while I have read it, I haven’t done all the activities.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cute ideas; some really strange ones. Some puzzles, some meditations, some fill-in-the-blank games, some activity ideas that you can clearly only do if you're commuting on a train somewhere or in standstill traffic. Overall a neat concept but not something I'd look at again so maybe useful for 1-2 commutes until you lost it...

[Sipho · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and clever way to free yourself from the distraction of your cellphone, particularly during work hours. The book contains 101 creative activities to exercise your mind or body. These include sudoku, memory games, stretches, puzzles, crosswords, and reflections among many others.

Lots of fun to do but took me a long time to complete the whole thing. Which is sort of the point, I guess?

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent stocking filler of a book. Definitely one many of us could use in this day and age. Many concepts that are virtually tropes by this point but several that are not as common. Does generally require you to have the book and likely a pen if not pen and paper as well.

[Terra McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very basic stuff. I'm pretty sure people already do these things lol I know I do!

[The Suburban Eclectic · Rating 1 out of 5]

101 Things does not provide any novel ideas. I guess it would be good if you had no imagination whatsoever, but this one is uninspiring. Skip it.

[Hessel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goed idee, niet je telefoon pakken uit verveling, maar 101 willekeurige andere kleine dingen om te doen. Sommige ideeën zijn duidelijk leuker dan anderen, maar al met al leuk gedaan :)

[Shelly Trotter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing I did not already know.

[Melati Ekasari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas to fill spare time!

[Khadija Mustafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Det är så bra! Det var faktiskt bra och slappnade av verkligen.
Tack.

[Nathan Hodgson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Felt like a stretch to reach 101...

[Barbara Ab · Rating 2 out of 5]

101 small pages offering alternative light things to playing on your phone. Nice book.

[Vesna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable little gadget-book! It took my mind off things on a bus ride home (and off my smartphone)!