Are there days when you wonder, “Where did the time go?” after watching a few hours of TV or browsing the internet? Would a week without your TV, your smart phone, your computer be a nightmare or paradise?
Why not challenge yourself and your family to participate in Screen-Free Week 2012!
Screen-Free Week is an annual event in which parents, children, teachers, and others across the country turn off screen media (TV, video games, computers, cell phones, etc.) and celebrate the magic of being unplugged. This year it is April 30-May 6. Write the dates on your calendar…and begin thinking about what you might do with your family during this week to “unplug.”
Check out this short video to see the staggering statistics of how “plugged in” we are! Screen-Free Week April 30-May 6, 2012
Here are a few ideas to get you started, if a week without your favorite TV shows & movies seems daunting:
1. Go to the library! Our local libraries have great programs for infants, toddlers, kids, teens, adults, and seniors! They’ve got books galore. Let your kids pick some to take home, and browse the shelves yourself. Maybe grab a cookbook and try some new recipes!
2. Play at the park! Marie had a fabulous post about Quad City parks and playgrounds. Have fun exploring a new one in your town, or the town next door!
3. Go on a scavenger hunt! Make up clues that lead your family around your yard, your home, or even around the Quad Cities! End your scavenger hunt somewhere that includes a special treat like ice cream!
4. Practice a hobby! Take the time not spent “plugged in” to work on a craft, a project, or a hobby that you’ve been meaning to find the time to get back into. Maybe the time spent during the week of April 30-May 6 will inspire you to continue after Screen-Free Week.
5. Write snail-mail letters! Have the kids draw some fun pictures, or write their own letters to out of town family or friends. Spend some of your free time writing your own letters to a friend you’ve lost touch with. They might appreciate hearing from you more than you know!
6. Go on a date with your husband! Get a sitter and go to dinner, talk, play mini golf, take a drive in the country, or just sit quietly across from each other at the bookstore holding hands. Trust me. It’ll be awesome.
7. Make your own play-dough! Check out my previous post on how to whip up your very own yummy smelling play-dough.
8. Go to the zoo! Lions, and tigers, and bears…oh my!
9. Board games! I LOVE board games! Teach your children how to play your favorites, and be sure to play (numerous) rounds of their favorites, too!
10. Pack a picnic! Who doesn’t love a picnic?! Whether it’s in your own backyard, or you pack everyone up and pick out a spot in the park, a picnic can bring just enough novelty to get everyone smiling through dinner (and eating it all without any whining!)
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Screen-Free Week 2012. If you can’t commit to a week, try a few days!
We did this.. its hard but well worth it. We did it for two.days.
“Health Begins with Mom” Class! would be a great event to “unplug” with! A class that will help answer a lot of questions mommy’s have about their childrens nutrition, ear infections, allergies, and tips on how to discipline. So stay off the couch and bring the kids to our Mommy Workshop! Tuesday May 8th 10am-11 @ Real Health Chiropractic Office, Moline, IL.
Extend the Screen FREE WEEK!
Melissa!
PS. I am going to bring my son who is two! I can’t wait to hear what the Dr. has to say about treating ear infections!
so glad you posted about this, emily! I’ve actually been on my own “no tv ” journey for about 2 weeks now. I’d love to say that I planned it out that way, but it really just happened spontaneously. I always watched afternoon talk shows while the kids napped, but after a day or two of missing them, I realized how much I can get done with the tv off! We don’t have cable, so I wasn’t watching as much as I have in the past, but even eliminating those 2 hours of watching has been so great! I’ve gotten so much work done, I’ve felt refreshed, and I’ve gotten back to my writing. It’s been so wonderful, I hope I can keep it up!
Great post! I think I’m gonna try it…a modified version anyways (I work from home and have to use the computer daily)…but, I do think I spend a bit too much time on my phone and watching TV…so…we’ll see how it goes! Thanks for bringing my attention to this so I can start planning!
Glad some of your feel challenged to try it!