I’m a list person.  It’s how I keep my sanity.  🙂  I loved making this list of 20 Alternatives to TV for Kids!

Happy  Thanksgiving from Riggstown Road, moms!  I’m Lynn, and I love coming over to BMH to share some ideas with you, like these things your kids can do when they think there is nothing to do.  I’m sure that, like me, you count your children at the top of your list when you count your blessings.  I also know that life with kids can get pretty chaotic…like those times when your children insist they have absolutely nothing to do (moping and whining notwithstanding)  while YOU are busy with so much to do!  TV is such an easy and oh-so-convenient time-filler, but wouldn’t it be nice to have some alternatives to TV to fall back on?

But it’s hard for you to think of suggestions when you have the baby on your hip and dinner on the stove.  I have learned (the hard way) that right in the middle of a thing is not the best time to come up with a plan.  It’s best to be prepared ahead of time.  So, keep these ideas handy and whenever you think of a new one, add it to the list!

ALTERNATIVES to TV for KIDS:

1. Do some memory work.  (Learn a scripture, a poem, or those pesky times tables.)
2. Use flash cards to quiz a sibling.
3. Radio dramas/ Audio books.  (These are amazing.  You can purchase cd’s or listen online.)
4. Extra chores that we don’t get to every day (um, week.)  (I have a list for that!)
5. Do a fun creative writing assignment.
6. Use craft supplies to make something fun.   (Keep a craft bucket filled with kid-friendly supplies.)
7. Go on a scavenger hunt in the yard.
8. Speaking of the yard, Play Outside!
9. Help a neighbor.
10. Play a board game.
11. Read. (Be prepared to tell me about it!)
12. Dump out the toy box and rediscover things.
13. Help mom in the kitchen.
14. Play a board game.
15. Help dad by raking leaves.
16. Jump into newly raked pile of leaves and start over.
17. Clean out the car.  (You get to keep all the change you find!)
18. Draw and/or color.  (Buying fresh, new coloring books now & then is a worthy investment.)
19. Build with Legos or Lincoln Logs.  (Make it a competition!)
20. Research something you’re interested in, and report on it at dinner.

Now, obviously, some of these activities sound like more fun than others.  I usually start by suggesting the most appealing things first.  If the whining continues, I suggest (or require) the more academic or chore-like activities.  It’s a “complain at your own risk” sort of deal. 🙂  Also, those times when there seems to be a surplus of time are the perfect opportunity to get some of those neglected or forgotten things done.

Even though I limited this list to 20 to keep the post from being too long, there really are endless possibilities.  I would love to hear some of your ideas, so I can add them to my list!

(And…check out this post for another sanity-saving idea for moms.)

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