National Turn Your TV off - teaches kids about being active and fighting childhood obesity

This week is National "Turn off your TV" week.

This offers a reason to limit TV time or even turn off the TV!  Kids may protest a little but if you have some substitute activities lined up, they may soon forget about TV and enjoy the many other activities they could be doing.

If you are not quite sure how to tackle this with the kids but definitely would like to reduce the amount of time on the TV, start with reading our step by step guide.  Honestly, we keep it short, to the point with lots of specific tips broken down so anyone can try it.  Read the "Turn off the TV" guide.

Next, you will need to come up with some substitute activities otherwise you will find yourself with a bored and complaining child, which is not fun.  We have a list of 25 indoor and 25 outdoor activities you can try.

I would say the most important first step is to involve the kids so they understand why it is important and have them help come up with ideas.  Make a fun family tradition, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised how easy it can be to "turn off the tv".

Make it important, sign a family contract to Turn off the TV for one week. Can you take the challenge!?!

And finally, let me share with you some important facts :

• Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child:    20,000
• Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children:    38.5
• Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television:       1,680
• Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV's in their bedrooms:    50
• Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day:    70
• Hours per year the average American youth spends in school:      900 hours
• Hours per year the average American youth watches television:     1500
• Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner:    66

List of Resources to get you started:

"Turn off the TV" guide.

Printable- Limiting TV Time Hours Kids Agreement Sheet

Printable TV Pledge- Family and Kids Turn Off TV Week

Reducing Kids TV Time Weekly Goals Tracking Chart

Healthy Tips-Kids Healthy Snack Food Ideas

Turn Off The TV Tips- Fun Activities For Kids