After you turn OFF the tv… (part 2)
… turn ON the activity!
It’s really important to encourage FREE PLAY! Remember when your mom shoved you out the door on a bright summer day? You can do that, too. Supervise as appropriate for age and environment – but don’t keep the kids cooped up inside.
Supply your kids one of more of the following – chalk (remember – it washes off with the next rain), jump ropes, hula hoops, frisbees, bubbles, and/or a playground ball.
What about rainy days? No need to rely on the television or video games.
- Create an “art box” with all those leftover school supplies, some construction paper, and odd things like egg cartons, bottle tops, glitter pens, pipe cleaners (what do they call those now?), rick-rack, and other oddball things from around the house.
- Create a “drama box” with clothes for dress up (men’s and women’s!), a feather boa, a tiara, men’s and women’s hats, and costume jewelry. Periodically toss in a few surprises – a waiter’s order pad, a couple of Chinese takeout boxes (ask for clean ones at the restaurant), a briefcase, kitchen utensils (pie plate, spoons, measuring cups), raffle tickets, movie popcorn bags (yes, unused ones), sleeping bag, camping dishes… you get the point. Shop yard sales to fill the drama box.
- Put an old plastic shower curtain on the floor and allow some messy play with water, sand, paint, etc.
- Dress the kids in rain gear and boots, and let them out for some puddle-jumping.
- Bake cookies (healthy ones!) – or make a pot of soup. Kids can cook with supervision.
- And of course, there’s always fort-building. Who doesn’t love a fort? Get out the blankets and take away the breakables in the living room, dining room, or family room, and let the fort-building begin. For extra fun, deliver a picnic lunch to the fort.
Photo by Adrian
