Kids who 'Play Unplugged' earn bragging rights from local businesses


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One in 3 children are considered either overweight or obese, and studies show they put on those extra pounds during summer. A new program called "Play Unplugged" is helping to "unplug" kids from technology and pushing them to get out and play.

Co-founder Corbin Gordon said he noticed bored kids and tired parents in his community, which gave him the desire to make a change.

"We decided that we needed something better for them to do, and that's where Play Unplugged came from."

After the program's first year its founders foresaw it going on to benefit many communities and families. It's now offered all over the state of Utah and has local businesses sponsoring 101 activities children can enjoy. After they finish, they go to a business to claim a "Brag Badge."

Gordon said it is fun watching young people walk around their communities with their badges: "You're showing off the quality of the summer that you had by all the fun things that you did."

Busy mom Taylor Knight said her girls are gaining opportunities and experiencing fun things they normally wouldn't get to do.

"There's a story behind all of (their badges) and how they got them," she said.

The easy cure for summer boredom has Knight's oldest daughter, Adyson, "bragging" it up: "I would say this is really fun to do and you should try it out and see if it's fun or not."

Visit weplayunplugged.com for more information.

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