300 Children Unplugged: Our Spring Break Impact

This pas week, over 300 children from 5 to 10 years old from 100 underprivileged families had the opportunity to step away from screens and step into creativity together with their siblings and parents.

Through a $6,000 investment, Valsef Dream Big Foundation proudly launched and distributed 100 Dream Big Anti-Screen Boxes in collaboration with three trusted community partners:

• Au cœur de l’enfance - Maison de pédiatrie sociale de Saint-Laurent

• Les Zépanouis - Centres de pédiatrie sociale en communauté à Laval

• Carrefour perinaissance et familial de Saint-Eustache

Together, we ensured these boxes reached families who would benefit most during spring break.

Why Anti-Screen Boxes?

School breaks can bring additional challenges for many families, particularly when access to expensive camps, structured programming, or creative materials is limited. In these situations, screens often become the default activity. So, we wanted to offer something intentional and enriching for free.

The Dream Big Anti-Screen Box is an invitation to slow down, create, and connect. The box was designed to:

• Encourage creativity and imagination

• Foster quality time between parents and children

• Promote hands-on learning

• Provide meaningful alternatives to screen tim

What’s Inside the Dream Big Box?

Every box was thoughtfully curated and included:

1. XL “Les Monstres” Giant Coloring Poster by Pico (Coloriages géants)

2. Air-dry modeling clay (to sculpt and paint)

3. A complete painting kit

4. Kidimime Game by Djeco

5. Activity book “À vos crayons” by Elise Gravel

These activities were selected to balance independent creativity and collaborative play. Families could paint together, invent stories through mime, build clay creations, or fill giant posters with color side by side.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Veille sur toi, who again partnered with us to thoughtfully design and assemble the Dream Big Box. Their expertise helped transform a simple idea into a high-quality, engaging experience for every family. Their contribution ensured that each box delivered not just activities, but inspiration.

Community Impact

Through our partnership with three community organizations, we achieved:

• 100 families supported

• 300+ children impacted

• $6,000 invested in creative access and family engagement

Beyond the numbers, the real impact lies in the moments created. Siblings collaborating on a giant monster mural, parents painting alongside their children, laughter echoing around the table during a game of Kidimime, and handmade clay creations proudly displayed at home. These shared experiences do more than fill time; they build confidence, strengthen family bonds, and create lasting memories that extend far beyond spring break.

Dream Big Means Creating Opportunity

At Valsef Dream Big Foundation, we believe opportunity doesn’t always come in large-scale initiatives. Sometimes, it arrives in a simple box filled with paint, clay, books, and imagination. This spring, we didn’t just reduce screen time, we created space for creativity, connection, and joy.