Liberty Military Housing and the Take the Challenge Now Foundation have joined forces to host the second annual Take the Challenge - Take Charge ten-day screen-free challenge from April 26 - May 5, 2023. This challenge reinforces the benefits of reducing or eliminating screen time and promotes healthy screen-free ways to connect with family and the community. 

Why is Liberty hosting this challenge throughout its communities? Research shows that a person’s mental and physical health suffers the more time they spend consuming media on digital devices. Reducing or eliminating screen time has improved sleep quality, productivity, and mood.

Liberty Military Housing values family togetherness and is committed to improving the health and well-being of our residents by continuing to provide resources such as Take the Challenge - Take Charge to strengthen the bonds within our military families.

We have gathered a few ideas and activities for you and your family to use during the challenge and to keep the challenge going.

Book Ideas for All Ages

The Washington Post compiled this list of the 100 best books for readers aged 1 to 100.

Age 1: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Age 5: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Age 10: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Age 16: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Age 18: A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore

Age 21: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Age 27: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Age 32: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Age 40: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

Age 45: Where’d you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Age 53: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Age 60: The Five Years Before You Retire by Emily Guy Birken

Age 65: 65 Things to Do When You Retire edited by Mark Evan Chimsky

Age 70: Master Class: Living Longer, Stronger, and Happier by Peter Spiers

Book Ideas for All Ages About Media Usage

• Unplugged by Gordon Korman

• Tek: The Modern Cave Boy by Patrick McDonnell

• On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna

• Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino

• If You Give a Mouse an iPhone by Ann Droyd

• Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! by Tommy Greenwald

• Unplugged by Donna Freitas

• The Day the Screens Stood Still by R.L. Ullman (Ages 3-10)

• Go Out and Play by Adam Ciccio (Ages 5-11)

• The Manic Panic by Richa Jha and Mithila Ananth (Ages 5-11)

• Chandu and the Super Set of Parents by Roopa Raveendran-Menon (Ages 7-12)

• This is Not the Jess Show by Anna Carey (Ages 14-17)

Game Ideas

• Best Overall: Exploding Kittens Card Game

• Best Board Game: Days of Wonder Ticket To Ride

• Best Dice Game: George & Company LLC Left Center Right

• Best for Older Youth: Gamewright Forbidden Island

• Best Outdoor: Gutter Games Beat That! The Bonkers Battle of Wacky Challenges

• Best Drawing: USAOPOLY Telestrations

• Best Card Game: Asmodee Spot It! Card Game

• Best for Young Children: Think Fun Zingo!

• Best Physical: Endless Games The Floor is Lava Game

• Best Trivia: What Do You Meme? Family Edition

Looking to explore your community more?  Check out these great offers exclusively for service members and their families.

Liberty Military Housing Community Amenities

When constructing or revitalizing a neighborhood, Liberty Military Housing strives for an atmosphere welcoming for all, with an inviting sense of community. Parks, walking and biking paths, recreation options, free community events, and social areas are all incorporated into each beautifully designed, well-maintained neighborhood that military families proudly call home. Every detail of the community plan is carefully considered, from the playground equipment to the lighting and landscape design.

Download your Living with Liberty Guide for information to learn more about your community and what features it offers for you and your family. 

Each month our dedicated team members host free events in and around your community. These events allow our residents to learn more about their community and connect with other military families. 

For more information on Liberty Military Housing communities, check out the Our Communities section on our website. 

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens 

Through the Waves of Honor program, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens offer one free admission ticket and three dependent tickets per year to any U.S. active duty military, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman.

The complimentary military tickets are only available online, and the Veterans’ promotions are only available through your nearest MWR installation.

Veteran Tickets Foundation

The Veteran Tickets Foundation’s Tickets for Troops Program teams up with major sports teams, leagues, promoters, organizations, venues, and event ticket holders to provide free and discounted tickets to currently serving veterans of all branches of the US military. Tickets for Troops give away free event tickets “as an expression of appreciation, acknowledgment, and an enduring symbol that we, as a nation, honor the service of our troops today and long after their tour of duty has passed.” Visit their website for more information.

National Parks

US service members and their dependents can receive a free annual pass to any national park or federal recreational land by simply showing their military ID.

Here is a list of federal recreation sites that are included.

Blue Star Museums

Every year, from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day, the Blue Star Families program offers free admission to active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families. More than 2,000 museums participate, including nature centers, zoos, and children's museums. To find a participating museum near you, click here.

PGA

The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) has a program called Birdies for the Brave. This program provides support for the military community in many ways. One fun thing they do is offer free tickets to PGA tournaments to the active-duty military community. How many complimentary tickets per event varies per tournament, so check each tournament’s website for specific details. If you’re looking for more military golf courses to visit, check out this list!

MWR Libraries

MWR provides online access to library services and eResources. Members can search for new library materials and upcoming programs at their local installation library; learn a new language; find a tutor; check out digital and audiobooks; these are just a few of the services offered in the new one-stop library shop. 

For more information, visit https://dodmwrlibraries.org/ or your local installation library.

For additional details on the Take The Challenge - Take Charge 10-day screen-free challenge, click here.