Most everyone loves to come home after a long day and relax
in front of the TV, watching a program to help decompress. But while occasional
television time isn’t harmful, letting your children sit in front of a screen
too often can make them cranky, expose them to often inappropriate content, and
rob them of valuable time during which they could be learning, either inside
the house or out.
This year then, let’s all celebrate National TV Turn-Off
Week (April 21st-25th) by switching off the screen and having
fun with these twelve imagination learning activities for kids.
1. Write a Book
It may sound like a daunting prospect, but writing a book
can be a wonderful learning activity to help spend family time together. You
can each pick a piece of the storyline, and craft a whole story using nothing
but your imagination.
2. Write a Poem
If your kids already have experience writing, try changing playtime
by writing a poem in rhyme, in a type of verse, or even just freely.
3. Draw a Family
The next chance you have family time together, have your
children draw a collective portrait of all of you together. This fun kids arts
and crafts project will give you something to remember forever!
4. Put on a Play
There’s no better way to get lost in the imagination than by
putting on a play with the little ones. You can perform an already known
classic, or write one during playtime to show off to the rest of the family.
5. Make a Delicious
Consider taking playtime into the kitchen by creating a feast
for the family. If your children are old enough, give them specific
responsibilities to help ease the process; if they’re still too young though, just
let them lend a hand as you cook something delicious for dinner.
6. Have a Scavenger
Collect a few items, hide them throughout the house, and give
a list of the things that you hid to your children. Then spend the rest of the
day scouring your home for these fun treats!
7. Make a Puzzle
To make your own puzzle during playtime, all you need is a
piece of poster board or Styrofoam, and a pair of scissors or a sharp knife. Have
your children use kids arts and crafts supplies to decorate the poster, and
then use the cutting device to slice it up in whatever way you would like.
Then, mix up the pieces, and have your kids put it back together during
While it may seem messy, fingerpainting during playtime is a
great kids arts and crafts project that will let your children explore the
reaches of their imagination. It’s also a great interactive activity that
builds kinesthetic awareness and dexterity for the little ones.
9. Go on a Nature
There are so many wonderful things to see in nature, during
both winter and summer, and you can take these opportunities to head outside
and witness them during playtime. Make sure to look for animal tracks, budding
flowers, different types of rocks, and anything else your children can find.
10. Make a New
If you really want to discover the depths of your children’s
imaginations, spend playtime one day trying to think of a new invention to help
make your life a little bit easier!
11. Volunteer to Help
If you are trying to get your kids to turn off the TV,
suggest instead they you spend some family time volunteering in the community. You
can help out at a humane society, wrap presents during the holidays, or even cook
meals for those in need.
12. Head Outside and See
Your children shouldn’t always need a reason to go outside –
if you want them to get away from the screen, simply turn off the TV, head out
together, and see what sort of amazing things you can find!
Have Family Time
Don’t let your kids spend too much time in front of the TV.
Instead, open the doors, head outside, and have some family time fun in the