7 Great Alternatives to Avoid Watching TV

1. Cook it up!
   A kiddie kitchen set is one of the best investments you can make as a mother. Children are fascinated by the endless possibilities bought upon by an empty pan and visions of their favorite snacks. Hear them humming as they cook hotdogs and eggs on a sizzling pan. Feel your heart melt as they serve you coffee while you work. Pizza is another great favorite.
   
   Smart Tip: Choose a child-friendly kitchenware set. Make sure the pieces are large enough to avoid accidentally choking on the pretend food. Watch out for toys that easily break as these may cause scratches or wounds.
2. Block City
   A two-storey castle with a staircase leading up to the tower. The office building where Papa works. A house with a slide, a pool, and animals wandering about. Go back to the basic and introduce your child to the simple life of older days -- when toys did not move on their own, did not talk, and did not think for themselves
   
   Smart Tip: Choose blocks that are affordable, durable, and earth friendly all at once. Try Ecoblocks or any of the Plan Toys eco-products at Rustans.
3. Picture Books
   A picture is worth a thousand words. This old age holds especially true for wordless books that stir the imagination. Aside from encouraging the verbal skills of your little one, these books also promotes observational skills. The best part is you don't have to read it to him!
4. Puzzle Time
   Problem-Solving is an invaluable skill children need to develop in order to help them through the trials they will inevitably encounter in their everyday lives. As they move each piece, trying to figure out how they fit together, your child learns the value of persistence and of looking at things from different angles.
   
   Smart Tip: Start out with simple puzzles for toddlers. Two-in-one nine puzzles by mudpuppy work wonders for this age group. Introduce complex ones as your child grows more adept with puzzles
5. Idea Bag
   A sure boredom-buster, gather some index cards and brainstorm with your child about possible activities he can do while you're working. Write them down on the cards, and keep them safely stored inside the bag.
   
   Some ideas to try:Create animals out of modeling clay, read a book, draw his favorite toy, and make a collage. Pick a card the moment the words "I'm bored" come out of your child's mouth.
6. Magnets
   This is a guaranteed crowd pleaser that educates at the same time. The fascination over why the pieces stick to each other, the reason why they repel, and the infinite games they can create all lead to hours of explanation and discovery.
   
   Smart Tip: Have a variety of magnets available. The more popular shapes are such as horseshoe, balls, wands and bars.
7. Playhouse
   The ultimate fantasy of every little girl is a playhouse she can make into her very own. Boys, on the other hand, need a fort they can defend from enemy spies. Keep your child's imagination active by providing him with a huge box that can be turned into almost anything he wants it to be.
   
   Smart Tip: Television boxes are perfect for creating a playhouse. Or simply purchase a balikbayan box from the bookstore.

You may want to read Why is TV watching Discouraged for Toddlers?