Myth: There aren’t many things my teenager will do instead of sitting in front of a TV or computer screen.

Answer: BUSTED!

With National Screen-Free Week this week, May 5–11, help your teenager come up with alternatives to watching TV or sitting in front of a computer screen. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Do stretching exercises or yoga.
• Find a new hobby.
• Find a cause and volunteer at a local group to support it.
• Plant a vegetable garden.
• Try a new sport.

Find more ideas for your teenager 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

Myth: There aren’t many activities my young child would enjoy instead of sitting in front of a TV or computer screen.

Answer: BUSTED!

With National Screen-Free Week coming up May 5-11, 2014, you will want to have some ideas for your young child as alternatives to watching TV or sitting in front of a computer screen. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Start a parade with musical instruments.
• Play with bowls, cups and spoons on a protected surface.
• Tend to a family garden or indoor plant container.
• Dance and sing to music.
• Enroll your child in the local public library’s Summer Library Reading Program.
• Take a walk and clean up litter or collect nature souvenirs (sticks, leaves, rocks, etc).

Find more fun 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

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

Myth: There aren’t good alternatives to get my family away from their screens.

Answer: BUSTED!

National Screen-Free Week, May 5–11, is the perfect time for your family to celebrate being ‘unplugged.’ Here are some ideas for your family to consider as alternatives to watching TV or sitting in front of a computer or mobile device:

• Plan and prepare meals together.
• Visit a park.
• Take a walk down your street and collect litter.
• Plant a garden. Tend it daily. It’s great exercise!

As parents you can reinforce play for your children. Keep a toy box available. Or create an obstacle course in your backyard. Take steps like these to remind your children to play instead of watching TV.

For more ideas, see MU Extension publication Play More, Watch Less

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

Myth: There aren’t any good ways to wean my children off of TV.

Answer: BUSTED!

National Screen-Free Week, May 5-11, may be just what your family needs. The average American watches 36 hours of TV a week – yikes! Start looking at your family’s screen habits now and think about how you can prepare for National Screen-Free Week to celebrate being ‘unplugged.’ Here are some ways to change these TV habits:

• Instead of sitting in front of a screen, get the family together to come up with alternative activities. Spring is a good time to get away from the TV, computer and tablet screens because you can include both indoor and outdoor activities. Post the ideas on your refrigerator.
• Take TVs out of bedrooms. 71% of 8 to 18-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom. Sleeping with the TV on can disrupt sleep and may make your child tired the next day at school.
• Turn off the TV during meals and put away tablets and cell phones. Instead, ask everyone about their day.
• Keep TV and computers off unless someone is using them.

For more ideas, see the MU Extension publication Play More, Watch Less (download a free PDF of this publication at the link provided).

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