"UNPLUG THE KIDS"

   Way to often our children establish their behaviors and morals by what they see on television, video games, the Internet and movies. These mediums teach our kids this is how things are. While these screen messages can be educational and entertaining, there is another side to what exists on the tube. We as parents need to closely monitor what our children are watching and limit their "screen time". Here is a list to start with of things the family can do together while NOT being plugged. I'm sure you can add more!

101 Things to Do
While Not Plugged In

Read the Newspaper - Write a Family Letter
Put together a Puzzle - Collect Stamps - Paint a Picture
Plan a Fire Safety Exercise - Play a Musical Instrument
Build a Model - Raise a Dog - Play the Game Life
Find Countries on a Map - Make a Gingerbread House
Play the Card Game Fish - Plant a Vegetable Garden
Have a Scavenger Hunt - Make a Latch Hook Rug
A Challenging Chess Game - Make Paper Airplanes - Raise a Cat
Draw a Picture - Use the Dictionary to Create a Game
Tell Stories Under Candle Light - Clean the House - Teach Respect
Plan & Prepare for Power Outages - Bake Some Cookies
Read a Magazine - Teach First Aid - Start an Aquarium
Have the Kids Teach a Subject - Clean a Room - Write a Letter
Cut Out a Snow Flake - Work on a Crossword Puzzle
Plan & Prepare for Food Shortages - Collect Coins
Play a Game of Monopoly - Have a Bar-B-Q
Have a Big Bubble Blowing Contest - Teach Honesty
Wash the Family Car - Bake a Cake - Write A Poem
Play a Game of Checkers - Make Christmas Cards
Clean a Drawer - Teach Changing a Tire
Have a Game of Dominoes - Reminisce With Old Photographs
Solve a Problem Together - Dry Some Fruit - Plant a Herb Garden
Build a Rocket - Teach Trustworthiness - Play a Game of Clue
Plan & Prepare for Earthquakes - Have a Picnic in the Back Yard
Use the Thesaurus to Create Games - Teach Fairness
Write a Song - Invite Grandparents over for Dinner
Have a Balloon Stomping Contest - Do the Dishes By Hand
Solve a Word Search Puzzle - Collect Bugs - Make Birthday Cards
Plan & Prepare for Floods - Make a Scrap Book
Play the Card Game Spoons - Plan a Party
Play the card game Crazy 8’s - Plant a Flower Garden
Make Hand Puppets - Have a Puppet Show - Teach Caring
Paint a Room - Plan a Meal - Help With Homework
Plan & Prepare for Water Shortages - Take a Walk
Make a Family Tree Chart - Play the Card Game Hearts
Collect Rocks - Carve a Pumpkin - Pull Some Weeds
Color in a Coloring Book - Plant a Fruit Tree - Build a Bird House
Clean the Windows - Hunt For Easter Eggs at Night with Flashlights
Sit Around a Campfire - Organize a Closet - Build a Dog House
Create a Family Skit or Play - Have a Fondue - Teach Sailor Knots
Play Charades - Do the Laundry - Read a Good Book
Read the Good Book - Start New Positive Family Traditions

Remember...we set the example. Good Luck!