Turn Off Your TV and Turn On Your Imagination

TV Turn Off Week is a twice yearly week long voluntary respite from television watching, an activity that in some American homes consumes "more than 151 hours of television per month -- an "all-time" high -- up from more than 145 hours during the same period the previous year," according to a recent Nielsen company report. The increased amount of tv-watching among Americans is attributed to better recording devices, the availability of more cable channels, and increased viewing of streaming internet video.

Each year, organizations and families counter this time spent watching by participating in TV Turn Off Week. Once in the spring and again in the fall, organizers and proponents of reduced screen time hope that by showing people the wide assortment of non-screen related activities available at their disposal, they will begin to break their habits of excess tv viewing. 

This year, TV Turn Off Week will be held from September 20 to 26.

What will you do with your time? What will your kids do? How will you keep them from uttering the words: "I'm bored."

First, understand that boredom should be a welcome addition to a child's life, especially if a child is already leading a busy life filled with school, homework, extracurricular activities, sports and clubs. Boredom can lead to quiet reflective time to daydream, make up games, write stories, poems, keep a journal or diary, listen to music, play music, play outdoor, bike ride, or visit with friends or family.

For adults, a tv-free week is a great time to consider doing something you always said you would do with the extra hours. Time to organize an area of your house that needs it, scrapbook those old photos, you've been meaning to get to, go on a date with your spouse or partner, schedule in an extra workout, take up a new hobby or cook a new meal from scratch. 

You'll surely save time and here's the bonus: you'll save energy from less electricity usage, too.

Find a wealth of TV free activities for kids and grown-ups to stir your imagination here.

**Don't forget to check Green Parent Chicago's Upcoming Events calendar for more tv-free, fun things to do around town that week and all throughout the month.**

-photo credit: flickr, STV033

Comments

[DNLee]

this is great. I didn't know about this initiative. thanks for sharing.