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.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: tv, television, kids, fun

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

www.InsteadofTV.com is 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".

Top Parenting Articles
1). Prevent Your Teenager From Becoming A Statistic By : Funky Parents please don't be naive in thinking that your teenager is not having sex, the majority of teenagers are. We have to better educate our children on the risks of unprotected sex. This task may sound embarrassing for both you and your teenager but it must be done. Schools only scrape the surface when discussing unprotected sex, stating that they can catch STD's and fall pregnant; where they fail is by not shocking our teenagers with the realities of these subjects.
2). On-Line Business Using Baby Products By : Hege Crowton Are you a stay at home parent who would very much like to earn some extra money but you don’t know how? Well the answer is right in front of you, your baby. This does not mean that you should make a business of your child but out of what you as a parent know a child needs.
3). Just What Is Colic – And Does My Baby Have It By : Sarah Veda There are few things more nerve wracking than a crying baby, particularly when nothing you do seems to console him. But, how do you know when your baby’s symptoms have are just crying and when he has colic? And, just what is colic, anyway? No one knows exactly what causes colic, though many old wives tales abound. Lots of older women will tell you.
4). Autism: What Causes It, And Can It Be Cured? By : Lisa Hyde Autism is a disorder that is affecting more and more children. But many autistic children have been able to lead normal lives. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by abnormal social interaction, communication ability, interest patterns, and behavior patterns. Autism is found to occur due to the vulnerability to environmental triggers displayed by the human genes.
5). Playing An Active Role In Your Children's Homeschooling By : Donna L. Miller Homeschooling is an option that many parents choose when they feel that, for whatever reason, their child will not be getting the best education in a public or private school system. Homeschooling allows for a variety of curriculum and teaching techniques to be applied that suit your child's particular needs - often that is unlikely to happen in a large classroom setting.
6). Teaching a Child Responsible Behavior Begins at Home By : Lori S. Anton Parents are teachers, too. When it comes to child rearing, one of the most important lessons a parent can teach their youngster is responsible behavior. This means helping the child learn how to interact with others in a way that displays self-respect, as well as respect toward others. No child comes into this world pre-programmed with good manners and virtuous attributes such as a willingness to share, consideration for the feelings of others, respect for others possessions, respect for authority figures, and a selfless attitude.
7). A Gift To Be Remembered: Child Personalized Stationary By : Paolo Basauri Benefits of Child Personalized Stationary One of the best gifts you can give to a child that is just learning to write is child personalized stationary. Children love to be told that they’re special and personalized stationary is a concrete way to express that sentiment. Seeing their own name printed on child personalized stationary will fill a child with delight and wonder at the magic that you used to make it happen.
8). Potty Training –Not For The Faint Of Heart By : Sarah Veda If you’ve determined that your child is ready for potty training, it’s time to take the plunge. It’s not easy, but don’t despair, your child will master potty training some time before kindergarten. It’s important to make sure you’re ready, too, because potty training requires a lot of commitment on the part of the Mom. First, you need to make potty training a project.
9). Solving Baby Slep Problems - The Ferber Method By : Debbie Walker Nothing can prepare new parents for the mind numbing weariness that comes with lack of sleep. A new baby may be tiny but the havoc they wreak to your sleep is huge. It can take work to establish good sleeping habits. One of the hardest things for your baby is to learn to fall asleep on his own. I firmly believe that parents need to reclaim their evenings.
10). Why first borns fuss, seconds are resilient and youngests like to laugh By : Michael Grose How can two or three children in the same family be so different? They are brought up in the same broad social environment, under a similar set of rules and an identical family value system. They also come from the same genetic pool yet they can be so different in personality, interests and achievement. While they may be born into the same family they are not born into the same position.

New Parenting Articles
1). Single Parent Adoption. Is It Worth? By : frederic lampard In the last 20 years there has been a steady, sizable increase in the number of single-parent adoptions. Why would a successful, independent single man or woman want to give up his or her freedom and assume the responsibilities of raising a child?
2). What Every Parent Should Know By : Adam Henley Being a parent is the most wonderful experience in the world but at times it can prove to be the most challenging as well. No matter how much you prepare and anticipate there will be many situations that will take you by surprise.
3). Making the Most of After School Time By : Rick Hendershot Most parents realize that the time their children spend in school is only a relatively small part of their day, and that their education extends well beyond the six or so hours they spend in the classroom.
4). Show You Trust And It Will Be Returned By : Kadence Buchanan Parenting is not something one should ever take lightly. Having children is a 24-hours business and taking good care of your kids is something you should invest time to study and learn; preferably not on their expense.
5). Explore Extracurricular Activities With Your Child By : Ken Snow There is a special role that a parent can play in the overall academic, physical and social development of a child.
6). Visit Your Local Outdoor Toy Store to Encourage Your Kids to Head Outside Again By : Mayoor Patel If you take your kid into the outdoor toy section, he or she may become amazed by some of the great things they offer.
7). Looking for Outdoor Toddler Toys? Look no Further than the Little Tykes Brand By : Mayoor Patel The Little Tykes brand of outdoor toddler toys and other fun stuff for young children of all ages.
8). Some Sources To Help You Find Adoption Grants By : Gregg Hall Have you ever known a couple that would have made wonderful parents but they were unable to have children on their own? Did you wonder why they did not adopt children? It could have been because adoption is prohibitively expensive.
9). Back to School Savings: Six Ways to Save Money During Back-to-School Time By : Jamie Jefferson Back to school expenses can be overwhelming. Here are six simple ways to save money while giving your children what they need to hit the books this year.
10). Are You Up To Date With State Home Schooling Requirements By : Allen Hawkins Here is a help guide for you if you are thinking of home schooling your children.