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This post was sponsored by Oceanview Wooden Swing Set from Backyard Discovery Products™.
Video games and kids- like it or not it’s a topic that’s hard to avoid.
In my own family we enjoy video games and television. My husband and I both play video games and naturally so do our children. I enjoy the entertainment factor of video games and I am not ashamed to admit that at times I am grateful for the respite such activities provide me as a parent BUT I also find myself worrying about how it’s impacting my kids.
How much screen time is too much?
What are they NOT doing when they are playing video games?
How can I get them motivated to get outside when the lure of video games is so strong?
There are literally dozens of ideas out there for how to limit children’s screen time and of course each family has to find their own comfort level. In our own household we don’t allow media until after 5pm and that works well for us, however, it doesn’t address some of my biggest concerns- being sedentary, repetitive motion and constant visual stimulation. It is important to me, to not only limit the amount of time my kids spend doing these things, but to engage them in activities that will provide a counterbalance.
Four Ways to Counterbalance Video Games and Screen Time
Encourage gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and locomotion
We use these skills everyday yet we don’t often stop to think about how important they are. It takes years to refine skills like running, jumping and climbing so the more opportunities you kids have to practice things like climbing up and over things, swinging from monkey bars, and hanging up upside down, the better off they will be when it comes to the everyday use of their bodies.
Swinging
Swinging is wonderful for children. The full body motion helps them integrate information from their muscles and joints which improve body awareness and according to The Motor Story, swinging can “increase a child’s alertness, improve attention, and facilitate a calming effect.”
Quiet unstructured time
We all need down time, but there is a big difference between vegging out in front of a screen and sitting undisturbed- letting your mind wander, reflecting on your day, or just playing quietly by yourself. Kids need space to encourage them to engage in this kind of down time.
Imaginary play
Imaginary play gives children the chance to explore real world issues such as friendship, sharing, fear and loss on their own terms. (As children get older they may lose their affinity for dress up clothes and other dramatic play toys but a fort or clubhouse seem to hold their appeal into adolescence.)
Encourage your kids to take time each day to engage in these activities. Let them know that it’s important for them to have a variety of activities in their lives. There’s nothing wrong with liking video games but their brains and bodies need other activities to grow healthy and strong!
This post was sponsored by Oceanview Wooden Swing Set from Backyard Discovery Products™, perfect for drawing kids outside and encouraging activities to balance media in your kids lives. The wooden design makes it visually appealing and the club house and fort underneath will draw kids of all ages.
Do your kids need more encouragement to get outside and play? What if they had their own play set just like this one? Backyard Discovery Products™ is giving one away! There are multiple ways to enter using the Rafflecopter form below.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The giveaway will be open from 11/18/15 to 12/11/15 and is sponsored by Backyard Discovery Products™
- One winner will be selected to receive one (1) Oceanview Wooden Swing Set delivered to the winner (ARV $1399)
- The winner will be chosen on 12/14/15 and will need to give approval of the brand using their name and picture in publicity.
Are you ready to check out this amazing swing set out for yourself? You can head to your nearest Sam’s Club, order it on Amazon, or go directly to their site!
This post was sponsored by Oceanview Wooden Swing Set from Backyard Discovery Products™.
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tara darity says
My kids would love the hammock and swings!!
Jennifer Hayden says
I have two children who have Autism. They both are very active and require a lot of sensory activities. Swinging, climbing and sliding are great activities for them.
Lori Walker says
He’d love the slide!!!
Lori Taube says
They would love having a place to play that is all their own! My oldest would love to climb, and my youngest would probably love the swing the most! Thanks so much for the chance to win this!!
Shannon K says
My kids would love the climbing!
Tricia G says
My kids would really like the hammock!
sandra williams says
Being outdoors and climbing!
Thea says
My oldest would love the slide and my youngest would love the swing.
rocky says
awesome giveaway
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
It would be a toss up for my daughter between the slide and the swings.
Kristen says
balancing screen time is hard for us in the winter ( Iowa) . Wish I had warmer weather so my kids could play outside all year round
Carisa Smith says
I would love to have one of these in my backyard! Everything about it is awesome! I especially love that adorable hammock underneath!
Whitney says
My kids would love the swings, the playhouse, the slide…Okay, they would love it ALL. What a great giveaway!!
Jesenia says
What a great giveaway! This playset looks amazing!
Ken Gebhart says
I picked up a used swing set like this on Craig’s list a year ago and my son loves playing in his fort. It is an excellent counter screen time for sure.The one I have is no where near as nice as this, but I would highly recommend something like this for kids under age 12.
Danita says
My kids are older (like grown) so I think what we’d like most is blessing someone with it.
Nicole Burkholder says
That would be so sweet! What a wonderful gift that would be 🙂
Meg says
I am entering this for my wonderful 4 year old niece, June. She would love everything about it, but probably the swings and the slide would be her favorite!
Regina says
My daughter loves swings, but is just starting to see the fun in slides too. Though most of the time she is still trying to climb them up 🙂
Melissa | Persnickety Plates says
Ahhh what an amazing giveaway! Our daughter is 1.5 but we’ve already been shopping these sets at Sam’s Club. She’s a big fan of the slide right now so that would probably be her favorite part =)
Emily says
oh wow, that set looks amazing! How fun, but boys have tons of energy, so this would be amazing!
Mindy Stevens says
Climbing and the swings
Crissie says
Great thoughts and incredible swing set!
Melanie says
The slide and the stairs!
Nicole Burkholder says
I thought the stairs were such a cool feature, too!
Healing Tomato says
Oh my! I think I would be the one jumping on the swing set, forget the kids. LOL. This looks like so much fun and I am glad you are giving kids a 4 different ways to entertain themselves.
Jillian @ Food, Folks and Fun says
This is such a fabulous swing set! My kids would LOVE it!