Myth: There aren’t many activities that 6-12 year-olds would enjoy instead of sitting in front of a TV or computer screen.

Answer: BUSTED!

With National Screen-Free Week coming up on May 5-11, you will want to have some ideas for your 6-12 year old as alternatives to watching TV or sitting in front of a computer screen. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Play hide-and-seek indoors or outside.
• Play flashlight tag in the dark.
• Stand on one foot, keeping a balloon in the air using your hands and other foot.
• Play board games.
• Get involved in crafts.
• Write a play for the family to act out.

Find more ideas for everyone in the family at Play More, Watch Less.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933