My kids like television… a lot.  Sometimes I worry (as do many of you) about the amount of TV that they consume.  I especially become concerned when their little eyes glaze over as the hypnotic TV trance brainwashes them into encouraging me to purchase Aquaglobes or Debbie Meyer Green Bags, or they reenact entire seasons of Spongebob Squarepants.

About a year ago we instituted “No TV Day” to minimize the amount of TV the kids watch.  On Mondays the kids are not allowed to watch television (DVDs were okay sometimes).  After a bit of consternation, the kids acquiesced and usually found another way to spend their time.  The success of “No TV Day” encouraged me to expand it to Mondays and Fridays which has worked quite well.

But lately, as the kids get a bit older, when the TV goes off, the Nintendo DS and computer (Webkinz, Toon Town, CartoonNetwork.com, etc.) goes on.  And that familiar glazed look returns.

At dinner this weekend my wife, the children and I talked about our concerns over the amount of time they spend passively staring at monitors (no, we didn’t use those words).  I proposed that “No TV Day” be expanded to limit other forms of entertainment.  My seven-year-old daughter suggested “No Technology Day” which sounded like it was headed in the right direction, but I wanted to put a more positive spin on it–a name that would reinforce positive behavior.  And “Imagination Day” was born.

“Imagination Day” is pretty much what it sounds like.  Watching television (even movies) and playing computer games are not allowed.  But the kids may interact with technology (even TV) if they are actively using their minds to create something e.g. composing a song on a keyboard or using my video camera to make a movie.  My wife and I must also adhere to the rules of “Imagination Day” (it’s only fair), but we are allowed to work, or write blog posts.  What better way to use my imagination?

Today was the our first run at “Imagination Day,” and the kids played very well together.  I’ll keep you posted on how it goes; in the near future maybe every day of the week will be “Imagination Day?”

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