Ten Things to Do Instead of Watching TV

TV Turnoff Week will take place April 23-29, 2007 and is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded in 1994 which encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities.

Over the years, TV Turnoff Week has gained support from more than 65 national organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. TV Turnoff Week is an opportunity for people everywhere to move more, read more and experience more of life.

If you would like to participate in TV Turnoff Week this April 23-29, 2007 but are wondering how you will be able to keep from switching on the TV, here are ten things you can do to fill up your time and keep the TV turned off.

#1 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Read a Book

When is the last time you read a book for enjoyment? Check with your book-reading friends for good book recommendations and park yourself in a comfortable chair and start reading. You can also check the NY Times Bestseller list for popular recommendations. If you just aren't sure what book you want to read, pick up a classic children's book and read it to a child.

#2 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Talk to Someone

Call your mother, sister or brother. Have a real conversation with a real person. Talk to your spouse or your kids. Find out about their day and ask about what projects they are working on. If you are having trouble finding things to talk about (a very common problem faced by those who are used to watching a lot of TV) ask some fun, hypothetical questions about a dream vacation, dream job, or dream house.

#3 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Play a Game

When's the last time you looked in your game closet? If you are like most people, you probably have a stack of board games that haven't seen the light of day for months. Pull a couple of your games out and have a family fun night. Pop some popcorn or put out a bowl of pretzels so you will all have something to snack on while you play.

#4 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Write

Write a letter or write in your journal. Better yet, write for Associated Content. If you are stumped for ideas, make up a hypothetical pilot for a TV show you'd love to watch, and turn it into a short story.

#5 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Help Someone

Do you know someone who could use a helping hand? If all of your friends and family are healthy and well, turn your focus to the many volunteer organizations that could use your help. Teach someone to rock climb, help organize a walk-a-thon, volunteer in your child's classroom, or help with an outdoor clean up.

#6 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Work on a Hobby

Would you scrapbook, garden or build model airplanes if you had more time? Giving up TV will free up your schedule so you can pursue some of the hobbies you've been putting off.

#7 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Exercise

Once you're off the couch, don't stop moving. Find some kind of exercise you enjoy and start doing it. Go for a walk or a hike on a park trail. Get a pass for your local YMCA and challenge a friend or spouse to racquetball. Swim with your kids or play a game of half court basketball.

#8 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Go on a Date

Get a baby sitter for the kids and take your spouse on a date. Spend a little time together enjoying each other's company. If you don't have kids, a spouse or a significant other, call up a few friends and plan a guys or girls night out. Head over to a restaurant for appetizers and dessert.

#9 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Paint a Room

Is there a room in your house that needs a little sprucing up? Grab a gallon of paint and a few brushes or rollers at your local paint store and paint a room. Make sure to move furniture out of the room, or cover it up with old sheets to protect it from splattering. Once you're done painting, you can choose another home improvement project to work on.

#10 Thing to do Instead of Watching TV: Learn Something New

Have you always wanted to learn to scuba dive or watercolor? With all the time you will have from not watching TV, sign up for a class at a local community college and learn how to do something that interests you. Community colleges offer a huge variety of continuing education classes in everything from business development to woodworking.