Around my home, we're always looking for new, exciting things to do; things that don't involve renting a movie, playing a video game, or watching cartoons.
Thankfully, there actually still are activities that don't center around the big box in our living rooms.
And for the record, it's not that I don't also enjoy those things, but limitations and boundaries are a good thing when it comes to television.
One thing we like to do is to have scavenger hunts.
I'd say we do this two or three times a week, depending on the season; if it's winter, you won't catch me outside much.
That's what our kids' friends are for! Yes, once in a while there's a snowman or fort to be built with them, a day of sledding, etc.
, but summertime is when it really gets fun outside.
Scavenger hunts are not that difficult to set up, really.
Start with something minor like just hiding a couple toys - preferably new ones - and write a couple clues for your child.
Pretend that it wasn't you who did it; that a good pirate came in the middle of the night and created a series of clues for you to follow.
Go on the hunt with him/her and act like you're really into it! I've found that once I start TRYING to enjoy something with my daughter, little by little I start ACTUALLY enjoying it.
Once you get there, more and more ideas for bigger and better scavenger and treasure hunts will pop into your head, and before you know it, you have yourself a little family tradition!
Thankfully, there actually still are activities that don't center around the big box in our living rooms.
And for the record, it's not that I don't also enjoy those things, but limitations and boundaries are a good thing when it comes to television.
One thing we like to do is to have scavenger hunts.
I'd say we do this two or three times a week, depending on the season; if it's winter, you won't catch me outside much.
That's what our kids' friends are for! Yes, once in a while there's a snowman or fort to be built with them, a day of sledding, etc.
, but summertime is when it really gets fun outside.
Scavenger hunts are not that difficult to set up, really.
Start with something minor like just hiding a couple toys - preferably new ones - and write a couple clues for your child.
Pretend that it wasn't you who did it; that a good pirate came in the middle of the night and created a series of clues for you to follow.
Go on the hunt with him/her and act like you're really into it! I've found that once I start TRYING to enjoy something with my daughter, little by little I start ACTUALLY enjoying it.
Once you get there, more and more ideas for bigger and better scavenger and treasure hunts will pop into your head, and before you know it, you have yourself a little family tradition!