How to Be a TV-Free Family

Maybe you want to raise TV-free kids and avoid screen time permanently. Or, maybe you want to be a TV-free family as a short-term solution to couch potato syndrome. Either way, becoming TV free is a challenge, especially for families that have relied on television and gaming systems for frequent entertainment and babysitting.

Set a TV-Free Goal

Becoming a TV-free family takes some planning. It's hard to go cold turkey without having thought about how long you expect to be TV free and what you are going to do with your time. Set a reasonable goal. Go TV-free for a week or a month to test the waters. Maybe that's all you want to do to give yourself and your kids a break from screen time. Or, maybe you'll use the smaller goal as a stepping stone to becoming a permanent TV-free family.

Plan Alternative Activities to Screen Time

Before you go TV free, you need to stockpile some alternative activities. Have lots of craft supplies on hand. Make or buy Play-doh and Moon Sand. Plan some special baking projects. Make sure the board games are accessible. Challenge the kids to write a story or create a new board game during their screen-free time.

Plan TV-free Outings

Often, the quickest way to get over television withdrawal is to get out of the house. Outings don't have to be expensive. Visit a local, kid-friendly museum. Go to the park or playground. Visit the library and take advantage of special programs, like story hour.

Offer a Reward for TV-free Time

Kids may be reluctant to participate in a TV-free week or month. Make it worth their while by offering a reward for successfully avoiding television and computer games. Plan an end-of-the week trip to play laser tag. Or go out to dinner and to the movies as a special treat. Work with your child and create an incentive that you know they will enjoy.

Sometimes kids need a break from screen time to remember that there is life away from passive entertainment. Kids that go TV-free often tap into their creativity, find more time to read, get more exercise and spend more time playing board games. Go TV-free and see how it changes your kids!