Screen-Free Week: Nix the TV and Do Some Fun Projects Together

I did it-do you? The kids are whining, need downtime and I've got a lot to do. So on goes the TV to amuse the kids. It's a quick and easy solution for me to get some time to myself; however, it's best to limit computer, video games, and television usage with young children. The children need to get up and moving as exercise is good for their health. And what about family bonding time?

Screen-Free Week is usually celebrated in April. It's not an official holiday, but time to set a precedent that there are more things to do than just watch television, sit in front of a computer screen or video game. The week varies from year to year, (usually the third week of the month). In 2011, it is celebrated from April 18th to the 23rd. Look for this unofficial date from April 23-29 in 2012. Why not join in with over 70 national organizations and try it. Turning off the screens shows us that we have choices with our time. I'm not saying that all TV and computer usage is bad, but there needs to be a limit. Also, watch TV with your kids and become aware of what THEY are watching. For more information about this celebration visit the websites below.

So, what do you do during this screen-free week? Why not try:

-Reading a book

-Have a Family Game Night

-Plant flowers-remember it's Earth Day in April

-Visit the library or local museums

-Take a walk together

-Write letters to grandparents and out-of-town family and friends

-Clean out the kid's closet together-donate old clothes and toys to charity

-Bring out the art supplies and make crafts

Here are a few creative and fun ideas for the kids when nixing the TV. Art is hands-on and develops fine motor skills, eye/hand coordination, and more.

Make a Spring Collage

Add variety to collage making by cutting spring shapes from sticky paper. As your young child places colored papers on this surface, the shape will appear.

You'll need: clear contact paper, tissue paper in spring colors, safety scissors

What to do:

Cut a seasonal shape from the sticky paper and place it on the table (sticky side up). You may need to place some tape on the corners to keep it in place. Invite your child to tear pieces of colorful tissue paper and place these onto the sticky paper. When the paper is full, the shape should appear. Talk about how the paper feels, the pretty colors you are looking at and the shape used. Extend this activity by creating different shapes for holidays and seasons.

Peter Rabbit Play Dough

Promote imaginative play and relive a classic story as you and your child make homemade play dough and cut rabbit shapes together.

You'll need: 2 cups flour, 1-cup salt. 4 teaspoons cream of tartar, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoon cooking oil, food coloring (red and green), pot, airtight container, rabbit-shaped cookie cutters, mixing spoon, measuring cup

What to do:

Invite your child to help you put the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a pot. Add the water, oil, and blend. Cook this mixture three to five minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly. Let it cool. Mix equal portions of red and green food coloring. This combination will make brown. Show your child how to knead in the food coloring.

How to use:

Invite your child to cut shapes from the brown dough using rabbit cookie cutters. Read the story of "Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter with your child. Relive the story as you name the rabbits Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter. Store this dough in an airtight container when not in use.

Magic Pictures

Amaze your child with this art project! Magical Pictures will appear as you paint!

You'll need: chunks of paraffin wax or white crayon, white paper, safety scissors, paintbrush, food coloring--diluted with water or poster paint diluted with water

What to do:

An adult can draw shapes or pictures on white paper with paraffin wax chunks or white crayon. (Shapes will be almost invisible.) Then, encourage the child to paint diluted food coloring over the entire paper. Voila! A magical picture appears. Young children love doing this project and while you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop small muscle skills and an understanding of cause and effect.

Fitness Card Game

Staying in good physical condition is important for everyone. Enjoy this fitness game together and see who is more physically fit. The object of the game is to complete the deck of cards by performing the tasks represented by the different cards.

You'll need: a deck of cards

What to do:

Explain to your child that the card tasks are:

Ace = Free pass

King = 10 push ups

Queen = 10 high kicks

Jack = 10 jumping jacks

Joker = Free pass

Heart = That number of jump rope jumps

Spade = That number of sit-ups

Diamond = That number of push-ups

Club = Free pass

3 of a kind = Free pass

How to play:

Your child deals a card to you. The card is face down. You turn the card over and complete the task. Now she deals herself a card and completes her task. She will continue dealing the cards until all of the deck has been dealt. Great source of fun and a good workout as well!

Do you and your family know each other better now? Finding great activities for bonding is the number one reason for turning off the TV and other electronics during Screen-Free Week, maybe not forever, but for a little while to engage in some fun activities together.

Sources:

Everything You Need for a Great Screen-Free Week

Screen-Free Week: Why You Should Start Planning Now