Set Playtime Free

Our kids live in a technology-rich era. Electronic media is everywhere, entertaining children as well as influencing their choices. But how can we keep YouTube and iPhones from taking over their lives?

Make time for good old-fashioned fun! Encourage "unplugged" forms of recreation like having backyard treasure hunts, playing hot potato, and doing arts and crafts. Unstructured play is healthy not only for kids' bodies but also for their minds, according to a recent report by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It builds creativity and imagination and helps children develop problem-solving skills through trial and error.

Provide an environment that encourages play, and then step back and let the learning begin. Try to look at ordinary things -- a plastic ice cube tray, an old pair of shoes -- with the eyes of a child. If these items don't present a safety hazard, add them to the toy box, or leave them where your kid will find them. Here are a few more suggestions:

• Stock shelves with blocks, art supplies, and dress-up clothes.
• Recycle plastic containers that can be used to hold water, pour sand, or hide secret treasures.
• Keep cardboard boxes; they might be perfect as a dollhouse, fire station, or barnyard corral.
• Reserve old blankets and pillows for making cozy tents, caves, and forts.
• Stash scarves and fabric remnants for make-believe costumes -- maybe a beautiful headdress or superhero cape.