By Jackie Burns Sympatico/MSN Shopping Contributor
My little brother used to spend hours glued to his precious video games and it was like WWIII whenever my mother would try and tear him away. Over the years I saw some of her techniques begin to take effect and eventually his time in front of the screen was greatly minimized. Here are five suggestions (by way of mother dearest) for getting your kids away from the gaming console.
#1 Create an Environment for Fun Outdoor Activities: If your child has several options for outdoor play at their disposal then they will be far more inclined to ditch the joystick. You might consider erecting a badminton net in the backyard and suggest your child invites friends over for a tournament. For this you will need to have a few badminton racquets on hand. Setting up a basketball net outside is another fantastic option and can even facilitate some good parental bonding time during a game of 21! (Biking, tennis and skateboarding are also great distractions that encourage your child to get active and off the couch.)
#2 Enroll them in Team Sports: As anyone who has ever played team sports as a child will tell you, they can lay the foundation for life-long friendships, help to build self-confidence and teach hard work and discipline. Signing your child up for a soccer, baseball or hockey team will also guarantee that they're safely away from their video games for at least a few hours a week! It will also encourage them to be social with their peers and counteract some of the negative effects of solo gaming.
#3 Schedule a Family Games Night: You may encounter resistance at first, but eventually your child will be the one twisting your arm to play games with them. Your selections will vary depending on the age of your child, but some of the favourites for older children and adults to play together are Monopoly, Apples to Apples, Boggle and Clue. There are several popular card games as well for younger kids.
#4 Help them Find a Hobby: A child who is engrossed in a stimulating hobby will be far less likely to fall prey to a video game addiction. The more things to sink their teeth into the better; whether it's getting them outfitted in the kitchen with some kids cooking activities, working together on a family tree project or setting them up with their own little art studio.
#5 Turn Them into Book Worms: What did we all do before TV, the internet and video games? It just may be time to rewind the clock and encourage your children to pick up a good book for an hour or so before bed each night. You'll probably find they'll be sneaking a flashlight under the covers before long. The Sammy Keyes or Molly Moon collections are great for tweens, whereas the Harry Potter series can make its way through the whole family.
What do you suggest for video game alternatives?
Check out other suggestions from our Green Channel:
Bring Nature Home With a Backyard Campout
School's out, Green's in: 10 Green Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer
