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13 Things For Your Child To Do
Instead Of Watch TV
by Carrie Lauth
C'mon, admit it. You sometimes use the television set as a cheap
babysitter. That's ok...we ALL do it sometimes! Ah, but it's a
double-edged sword, because kids who watch a lot of TV have trouble
keeping themselves entertained, which in the long run makes your job
harder!
If you're trying to limit the TV viewing in your household, you might
need a little inspiration. Try these TV-free activities guaranteed to
keep the kids busy... at least for a little while!
1) Make paper airplanes Warning: This one is highly addictive! My two
boys absolutely love making paper airplanes. Buy them a book on the fine
arts of paper airplane making, and then put your feet up and read a
book.
2) Make a tower with toothpicks and peas Go ahead- encourage them to
play with their food!
3) Make homemade ice cream Put two parts milk and cream and one part
sugar in a coffee can, with any flavorings you want. Put the lid on,
then put it in a bigger can and pour ice around the little can. Put rock
salt on the ice. Put a lid on the big can, and give it to your child to
roll it back and forth for about 1/2 hour or until it turns into ice
cream! (Do this one even if it's winter...I won't tell!)
4) Give them a magnet and instruct them to run it all over the house and
see what they find. And loose couch change is fair game!
5) If you have bunk beds, put blankets around the lower one and make a
submarine. Make it a yellow blanket. Then sing the appropriate Beatles
tune.
6) Play First Family Savings and Loan Save your cancelled checks and
fake credit cards that come in the mail. Supply the kids with a
calculator, pencils, small table and Monopoly money. This one was my
favorite as a kid!
7) Build a mini log cabin with twigs
8) Have a tic-tac-toe tournament
9) Make your own soda. Here's an easy recipe: http://www.easyfunschool.com/article2052.html
10) Make a card for Grandma. Get out the rubber stamps, art supplies and
construction paper and make a greeting card for Grandma or another loved
one.
11) Bake a cake Buy the kids an easy cake or brownie mix and let them
loose in the kitchen. Tell them they can enjoy the fruits of their
labors as long as they clean up all mess.
12) Make up a treasure hunt Buy cheap dollar store toys. Hide in your
closet. Make a list of items they must find outside. (A white rock, a
feather, a red leaf, a penny, etc) Tell them an exciting booty awaits
when they bring all the items to you.
13) Make a cave inside the house. Put old blankets over the backs of
chairs or over a table to make a tent. Grab a flashlight and instruct
child to go read scary stories inside it.
Courtesy of
InsteadofTV.com, a resource for parents trying to turn off the TV
and turn on life. Sign up for our free newsletter and get "101 Things To
Do Instead of TV".
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