We went to the Indiana State Fair last weekend and had a terrific time. The kids tried their hands at shooting air rifles and going fishing in the catch-and-release pond. We checked out the 25-foot “God Bless America” statue and watched dogs go airborne in pursuit of a fake duck.
We played mini golf and spun a wheel to answer questions about pet safety in the event of a disaster. We held baby chicks and watched someone carve a huge, elaborate scene out of cheddar cheese. We took in a break dance performance and rooted for “Oprah Swine-frey” at the pig races.
We saw giant hogs and tiny calves. We watched belly dancing at the IN Shape Indiana SummerFit Plaza. We could have joined in, but honestly, my belly has a mind of its own and I wasn’t up for its judicious jiggling out in public.
We tried Japanese rice crackers and sweets, ate roasted corn on the cob (hold the butter, please), and treated ourselves to ice cream from the Dairy Bar.
I think it was our best trip to the fair yet. (It was good enough to inspire my 7-year-old to sing about it.) But as we were driving home, I realized that something was missing from our day.
Screens. As in television, computer, video game and iPhones. We didn’t see any of those at the Indiana State Fair. Oh, there might have been a few screens somewhere for the purposes of demonstration, but nothing that was begging us to stand still and get lost for hours on end. No one said, “Mom, can we go watch a movie?” or “Can I play with your iPhone?” Until we got home, that is. Almost as soon as we buckled up, the requests for playing angry birds on the iPhone started blasting from the back seat. Then the “I get the PS3 first!” argument began.
My kids get a lot of screen time, more than I’d care to admit to myself or to you. I’ve told myself that they are beyond the toy stage and that’s what kids do. But our screen-free day at the Indiana State Fair was a great reminder that kids will find fun and joy and wonder in what we present to them.
Sure, we don’t have baby chicks and air rifles sitting around our house. But we do have a dog who loves to walk and play ball. We have bikes and skateboards and sidewalk chalk and Legos. We have iPods and speakers that could easily turn “family movie night” into “family dance night.”
I think if we made a habit of powering down the electronics and powering up our imaginations and our bodies, we’d find that we don’t miss the screens so much.
How do you limit your family’s screen time? What do you fill that time with instead?
Amy Magan received complementary goods or services from the organization(s) that was the subject of this blog post in exchange for writing this post.
Tags: Indiana State Fair, screen time
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What a great point Amy. We went to the Fair yesterday and, despite the heat, we walked the entire circle of it. Just when I thought my daughter was going to melt, she spied the miniature golf in the FFA building and got another burst of energy. Even just putting our feet in a cold water display was reason for her imagination to kick in. “Pretend we are hiking in Alaska. It will make it seem cooler outside.” I agree with you that we should try and get outside more often. I’m glad you had such a good Fair day.
This is such a great post, Amy!
We have instituted an “unplugged” night each week. We turn off the TV and the computers and we play board games or take the dogs for a walk or we make dinner together. It’s something that has helped us bond as a couple, and something we plan on continuing (and even expanding to maybe TWO nighs a week) as our family grows.
What a great post! As a new mom, I’m constantly trying to strategize ways to keep my Nini’s imagination running ON, and the TV turned OFF. (My husband and I are big news junkies, which she doesn’t need to be watching right now, either!) I love the idea of taking an organized approach to it (from Shauna–thanks!). Making dinner together and playing board games make for a strong family unit. I’ve thought about having one “themed” night each week, where dinner and any activities center around that theme. But NOT going over the top…just another way to install a family tradition, and make some memories before the time gets away!
Great job holding that butter! The corn is delish as-is!
Annessa http://www.flourishyourlife.com
Shauna and Annessa – Get these habits set in your family now, while your kids are still little. Going unplugged when they are 7, 11 and 13 is, as you can imagine, met with quite some resistance. Not impossible, just a little tougher to do.