Spring, and possibly even Summer, are finally here in the Chicago-land (despite that 45 degree Saturday we had here that we won’t speak of ever again), and our family is finally able to celebrate National TV Turn Off Week (which was…ahem…3 weeks ago). It was way too cold here to have any kind of TV turn off week unless I want to slowly go insane by being asked “what can you tell me to play with mommeeeeeeee???” for the umpteenth time. So, we decided to do it this week.
The TV plays a big role in our routine, and as special needs kids my boys NEED their routine. We’ll figure out something, but I’m happy to say that most of the TV watching has been tapering off as we finally see some warmer, sunny days.
So why do I bring this up? Because Subway told me about this special program called We Can! and they wanted to make sure you knew about it too. From the We Can! site:
We Can!™ or “Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition” is a national program designed for families and communities to help children maintain a healthy weight. The program focuses on three important behaviors: improved food choices, increased physical activity and reduced screen time.
We Can! provides families and communities just like yours with helpful resources that you can start using today to help prevent childhood overweight.
The good people from Subway wanted to help kick start your “We Can” kind of summer by giving away a P.E.P (Play more, Eat right, Push away the screen) Rally kit. They sent our family this kit and I have to tell you — it’s one of the most exciting packages ever received at this house! Why? It contained a ton of stuff including things like bubbles, a flower planting kit, balls, jump rope, and oh yeah SIDEWALK CHALK. I say that in all caps because that is how my kids said it when they discovered it in the box. There were other fun things too, it’s a huge box!
Also, Subway is including a $10 gift card so you can include a healthy meal in your outdoor fun.
To Enter to win the P.E.P. Rally Kit:
1. Leave a comment here telling me one of your tips for getting out and pushing away the screen!
2. Tweet about this contest (include @ToThink in your tweet) and leave a comment here with the URL to your tweet. This is one additional entry and can be done up to once per day.
3. Add my badge to your blog sidebar for one additional entry and leave a comment telling me you did (if my badge is already on your blog, just leave an additional comment letting me know!).
4. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email — again, leave a comment letting me know!
I’ll randomly pick the winner May 18th at Noon. Good luck!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=7d64416f-6c54-4eb4-99fb-a3146a551791)
{ 166 comments… read them below or add one }
All I have to do to get my daughter away from the television is say the word "park." In two amazing seconds she is off the couch and searching for her playshoes! The words "bubbles" and "chalk" also have the same affect on her–she's almost three
[Reply]
My son loves getting down and dirty with me in our garden. Growing things is so fun and educational and they don't even realize it. Plus they are more likely to try foods they've helped grow.
ndisilvio @ gmail . com
[Reply]
Packing a picnic lunch gets my kids so excited they are running for their shoes!
[Reply]
hula hoops. who can resist all the games with a hula hoop, a tunnel, jumping in, hulaing…..
[Reply]
by example- if we sit in front of the computer or in front of the tv then thy do- we go out and enjoy ..walk, plant..feed the ducks- make messages on the sidewalk
[Reply]
my kids love biking, so no need to push them, they always want to be outside.
[Reply]
We walk the dog
[Reply]
My nephew needs no incentive to play outdoors. He's always ready to go! Thanks for the chance.
[Reply]
Our boys love anything with running around…so, we sometimes will go outside as a family and we'll play water ballon tossing or with nerf guns. They love this. Thanks so much.
[Reply]
My kids love looking for bugs to catch, so I just give them a net and they'd stay out all day.
[Reply]
The surefire way to get my son outside is to invite his buddies over. It's no fun to play outside by yourself, but with friends it's a blast!
[Reply]
this would be great for the grandkids,
[Reply]
I can get my kids outside by saying we're going to the beach or bike riding.
[Reply]
My kids love to play in the water. Any water activity has them outside quick.
[Reply]
I would love to win this for my grandkids. We could have a party.
[Reply]
Having a picnic, running thru sprinklers, taking a nature walk, playing hopscoth,….
[Reply]
We love anything outdoors.
[Reply]
Swimming is a great way to get Gracie from out of in front of the tv. Thanks!
[Reply]
A game of volleyball
[Reply]
playing with the dog
[Reply]
My kids love to swim.
[Reply]
All it takes for me to push away from the screen is thinking about my kids growing up overweight, and what that can do to a child's psyche, and I am determined to not let that happen. I challenge them to a race and it gets us all moving.
[Reply]
We intentionally had cable disconnected in every room but one (dad's gotta have sports), and it's worked like a charm!
[Reply]
If I pull the bikes out so they are easily accessible, the kids are much more likely to go out and play.
[Reply]
tweet! http://twitter.com/speech_hero/status/1767410072
[Reply]
It is very easy with my son. He already loves to play outdoors, running around and playing sports. When the weather is nice out I always have outdoor play time in the evening so my son can go out and run off built up energy.
[Reply]
I posted on Twitter: http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/status/1767515609
[Reply]
Walking on the beach is our great fun!
[Reply]
Luke and I love to go for walks in the field behind our house. He has fun looking for rocks and sticks and it's good exercise!
[Reply]
We love to take a ride on one of the local bike trails!
[Reply]
We play basketball and softball outside, and we also go swimming! BUT…I have to admit, my favorite thing is when our entire family plays Hide and Seek with the other family in our neighborhood!
Thanks
bleatham(at)gmail.com
[Reply]
Tweeted for you
http://twitter.com/sleatham1/status/1768745936
[Reply]
I'm an email subscriber!! Thanks again
bleatham(at)gmail.com
[Reply]
I go visit the grandkids. They always want to play outside.
[Reply]
Considering I have three boys, we usually get outside to either play in the dirt or in the sandbox. Priceless for me! Thanks for a great giveaway
[Reply]
Anything having to do with water, water balloons, spray bottles will get my kids out in a jiffy!!
[Reply]
We love going to the park…we pack a drink and a snack and just play, play, play till we get tired!!!
[Reply]
Subscribe via email….
[Reply]
Have your button on my blog too!!!
http://www.brneyedgal.blogspot.com
[Reply]
Tweeted contest here…
http://twitter.com/BrnEyedGal/status/1769882661
[Reply]
we love to go on walks as a family in the evening and my daughter likes to work in the garden with me!
[Reply]
My daughter and I go to a Zumba class 3 times a week and walk on the other days!
Thanks
[Reply]
Letterboxing – it's kind of like geocaching, but without the GPS unit. People do all sorts of neat stuff in a wide variety of places. Well worth it to get outdoors. I think a good starting site is letterboxing.org for North America. Check it out if you've never done it.
[Reply]
One thing we do to get the kids out of the house and enjoying the outdoors is to make movies. We give the kids the video camera and ask them for suggestions on what to do and then we head out and film ourselves on our adventure.
[Reply]
We do things as a family- games, yard work…
[Reply]
It is easy to do it in our family because A.) we don't have cable, and B.) I don't drive, so we have to walk everywhere. I love to use my legs for what they were intended, and I love that my three kids get to see life directly rather than by looking through a windshield.
[Reply]
My kids love to play outdoors, it is me that needs more of a push. But I make sure to make myself go outside with the kids for a while every day when the weather is good.
[Reply]
I just have to mention PLAY BALL to my 6yr old and BUBBLES to my 2yr old grandson and they are running to the door to go out and play! They love to play outside with Grandma!
[Reply]
Sunny weather always does it for me. It rains so much here in Oregon, that we have to take advantage of the sunny days! Starting up the barbecue lures the rest of the family out!
[Reply]
I just added your badge to my sidebar!
[Reply]
just to cool
[Reply]
Only have on TV in the house. Limit TV time. Bored children find their own fitness fun especially if you lead by example.
[Reply]
having a picnic mverno@roadrunner.com
[Reply]
I get my kids to help me outside in the yard.
[Reply]
We take Nature hikes. Thanks for the chance. mogrill@comcast.net
[Reply]
We get out the little pool and balls and my girls have the best time making up new games.
[Reply]
The parks, the cliffs, and scientific museums.
[Reply]
sign me up
[Reply]
My daughter loves to play outside, but will sit in front of the tv if I let her. So, I just turn it off and go outside. She loves it.
[Reply]
I would say finding fun things to do out and in doors. If your not enjoying yourself then what's the point? We love talking walks to the lake down the road the most.
[Reply]
we love going swiming
[Reply]
we took the tv out of the kids rooms
[Reply]
go cycling in the sunshine
[Reply]
My niece loves to catch lightning bugs. Enter me please.
[Reply]
We keep our bikes handy and ready to go at a moment's notice.
[Reply]
enter me for my boys
[Reply]
We have 5 boys and we love to play on the basketball hoop in the front yard. They are out there playing together all the time!
[Reply]
We get to go do something with Daddy.
[Reply]
Going for a walk after dinner.
[Reply]
I get away from the screen by not even turning it on! The sunshine (which we haven't seen in months) helps, too! Thanks for the chance to win such a fun prize.
[Reply]
I think the best way for parents to encourage outdoor play by their children, is to go outside with them. If you pitch a ball, ride bikes, swing with them, etc they'll learn to love these things!!
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
[Reply]
Just unplug it! When our cable box shorted out, we had a great time and never really reattached it.
[Reply]
One of my tips is hitting as many street fairs and festivals as I can to keep us outdoors and interacting together.
madamerkf at aol dot com
[Reply]
We like to take the dogs for a walk.
[Reply]
i grab a kite and we go flying!
[Reply]
Get your kids involved in team sports. The exercise is great but the friendships will help keep them out of trouble. Athletes can't drink or do drugs and still be a good athlete.
[Reply]
We like to bike and hike.
[Reply]
what an awesome idea! it is so easy for us to get outside when the weather is nice because we live on lake erie. we like to walk to the lake often and skip rocks, fish, build sand castles or just walk along the beach!
[Reply]
I usually just tell my grand daughter she has so many more minutes and then we are going outside or doing other things.
[Reply]
Thank you for the great giveaway. Sometimes we'll take a random couple hours and play at the park which is located at the lake or we'll go outside and they will play on the trampoline. We're trying to help my son slim down and this sounds like fun!
[Reply]
A beautiful sunny day means taking a trip down to the bike path along the river. Plenty of walking space, trees, babies in strollers and dogs. You cna walk, run, ride bikes or just sit on benches if having a healthy lunch like Subway.
[Reply]
I'm a subscriber
[Reply]
I'm a pale, pale girl. I like to soak up the sunshine, the thought of the warm sun makes it easy for me to get up and get out! It doesn't hurt that we have 2 parks within walking distance and a little girl who loves to go down the slides!
seeryusfam@msn.com
[Reply]
I have your badge on my sidebar!
seeryusfam@msn.com
[Reply]
We take walks outside when the weather permits.
[Reply]
We love to walk downtown to the park and listen to music and dance!
[Reply]
We love to plant flowers in our garden, blow bubbles, color the sidewalks with chalk, play at the park, and so many other things when the weather is nice–who has time for T.V.?
[Reply]
I walk a minimum of one mile daily…..I do this by taking the parking spot furthest from my destination….and walking instead of using the elevator or escalator.
Thank you.
[Reply]
If you want your kids to get outside and be active then you have to too. lezanac@yahoo.com
[Reply]
We love to play outdoors, especially hiking on the weekends!
[Reply]
I love to go to art fairs and ethnic festivals, so this certainly gets me out of the house and dancing!
[Reply]
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
[Reply]
mr frog was our intertainment yesterday,our granson found him in our pond
[Reply]
I would love to win this!!!
[Reply]
We like to get outside to walk and enjoy the beautiful spring (and soon summer) days. It's also fun to take a picnic to a lake or the river.
If it's not an outdoor activity, pushing back the screen for us involves reading or an educational board game once in a while.
[Reply]
I subscribed via email (and confirmed!)
[Reply]
We had cable turned off for now. its easier to get outside and enjoy now.
[Reply]
All we had to do is say a few words… Zoo….playground…sidewalk chalk…etc..
[Reply]
We love dancing in the living room to Big Band music—even the one-year-old joins in! Thanks for the giveaway.
[Reply]
I know it might sound silly, but kids love a good game of tag, and it is a good way for adults to get a little cardio in as well! Trust me, it is fun!
[Reply]
I subscribe to your RSS feed.
[Reply]
I have your badge on my blog!
[Reply]
Running and bike ridding
[Reply]
Swimming always worked with the girls and seems to work great with Ian as well. Even a small pool you have to set up is a great way to get kids outside.
[Reply]
Tweet http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/1828924268
[Reply]
Boug's new favorite thing to do with her daddy is gardening, though I love to hike up through my parents property!!
[Reply]
Fishing is a super fun hobby!!
[Reply]
My daughter would rather be outside then inside. We tend to watch tv as a windin down before bed.
[Reply]
We have a time limit in our house, that TV can only be watched in 30 minute increments, 3 times a day. The kids follow this and it works because when they are bored and know they can't watch TV, they tend to go outside without my having to push them! Thanks for the chance!
[Reply]
To help get our family all outdoors more we purchased bikes for everyone on sale and we get out for a family bike ride twice a week. It's fun to be able to spend the time together and we all look forward to it!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
[Reply]
I Tweeted this giveaway! Thanks! http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/1830716458
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
[Reply]
I also added your button to my blog sidebar! http://mowermom.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
[Reply]
I'm now an email subscriber. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
[Reply]
My daughter loves to go for walks to the park, so we try to get everyone ready (Mom, Dad, 2-year-old, 5-month-old, dog) and go for a stroll to a nearby park where we can enjoy some time together outside and she can swing and slide until her heart is content. Thanks!
[Reply]
The way I push away the screen is just not turn it on! My son can't turn the cable box on so that is a plus. As for activities we play outside or go and play in his room or go for a wagon ride. We also like to color together and chase each other around.
ilovebabynoah707@yahoo.com
[Reply]
enter me
[Reply]
We start earlier and go out near dusk as well. I don't like going outside too much in the full heat of the desert day because I'm prone to migraines and even staying hydrate and a wide hat (wear glasses so no sun glasses) will help a really bright day or light glinting off of things. But when we go out super earlier before its too bright or as the sun is setting we can still get time outside.
[Reply]
We like to take our grandchildren fishing.
[Reply]
We can't drive past a park without my 2 1/2 year old yelling 'i want to play!' – she's kind of easy that way
[Reply]
Walking with the dog is always a good one.
[Reply]
We go fishing! We live on a lake, and we have a kayak, so there are so many things to do outside! There is no excuse to stay in.
[Reply]
My daughter and I walk the dog every single day. It's a good way for us to get outside!
[Reply]
set time limits on tv
[Reply]
My kids love water games, so water guns and sprinklers get the family out of the house.
[Reply]
I take my kids to the park every day for 2 hours, and they can only watch tv an hour a day.
[Reply]
WAlking to the post office. There's not much to do around here.
[Reply]
we like to play a lot of outside water games with the kids…keeps us away from the tv!
[Reply]
We take evening walks on a trail near our house 3 times a week. Each time we try to spot new birds, plants, or animals.
[Reply]
running around with the dogs
[Reply]
My husband and I make is MANDATORY that we go out on the weekends and do some kind of family activity. It gets everyone out and gives us fresh air and exercise, rather than staying in and watching TV.
[Reply]
Tweet http://twitter.com/MACMOMof3/status/1834515605
[Reply]
I added your button to my blog.
[Reply]
I subscribe to your feed.
[Reply]
I created an outdoor play area with all tyoes of outdoor games and sports equipment. My children and their friends are always playing.
[Reply]
We put up a huge basketball goal in our driveway
[Reply]
My family's favorite thing to do is go camping or just on picnics. We love being outdoors and being together.
[Reply]
My children are kept busy with sporting events such as swimming and track and field.I spend my extra time reading and exercising.And Dad works too much for tv!
))
[Reply]
We take walks to the park to get away from the screen
[Reply]
My kids love to play outdoors so we spend most of our time outside if the weather is even half way decent — we play games, kick balls, splash in water, go for walks, look for birds, whatever they feel like doing that is outside and active!
[Reply]
We wake up every morning at 5:45 to walk the dog, it takes us forty minutes to walk her around at a fast pace.
[Reply]
We love to go for walks.
[Reply]
We schedule time to go take a walk to our neighborhood park. Great for the whole family!
[Reply]
I like to spend time gardening.
[Reply]
I subscribed by email.
[Reply]
Get them started young. Be outside with them. We always loved swimming and camping. Every summer my girls went to a Girl Scout day camp. They were rarely inside.
[Reply]
Unplugging the tv, or recycling cable until I get them out of the house…
[Reply]
My tip is to go out as a family and have fun together
[Reply]
We walk our dog.
[Reply]
i grab a box of chalk and we hit the pavement or i say lets go explore something.
[Reply]
We like to go on hunts. Whether I'm hiding something or we are just looking for something in nature, the kids get excited!
[Reply]
I have your button
[Reply]
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/quelleheure4/status/1837508129
[Reply]
We love to go out and play, ride scooters, swim go to the playground and just hike and enjoy nature.
[Reply]
I subscribe to your rss feed.
[Reply]
we shut off the tube and go out in the backyard and play badmitton or bocce
[Reply]
Hiking is great motivation to me.
[Reply]
We love to ride bikes
[Reply]
my sons love the jumping on the trampolene, swing set, playing ball together. digging in the dirt, splashing in rain puddles with rain boots. we have also tried to find hidden treasures all over the yard. lots of fun.
[Reply]
I like to take my son on nature walks to look for bugs, birds, and other critters. He loves the water so we spend a lot of time outdoors that way too.
[Reply]
Put a sign on the desk saying this desk and pc off limits from the hours of 4pm until 8 am.
[Reply]
I subscribed via email.
[Reply]
Go outside and get fresh air
[Reply]
My son plays baseball. He has games and practices all week long. On days he doesn't we still head over to the park and play, jog, etc.. Keeps him busy and not bored and allows us family time.
[Reply]
i tweeted
http://twitter.com/independentmami/status/1874914...
super_alba_star@yahoo.com
[Reply]
http://independentmami.blogspot.com/
i have your button
super_alba_star@yahoo.com
[Reply]
great information and site.
[Reply]