Love to Pretend? Play Me TV!

Sick of hearing, "Mooo-oom!  Can I watch TV?"  The next time this common cry fills your living room, how about suggesting your child create a memorable program of his own?  Once the little superstar in your life discovers how much fun it is to make up his own characters and stories, Spongebob might just have to find a new place to hang out...

What You Need:

• Large cardboard box (big enough for a child to perch under).  If you don't have any around your home, try a grocery store (they usually have extras and are willing to give them away), or they can be purchased anywhere storage supplies are sold.
• Paints, crayons, markers, glitter, sequins, feathers, glue - anything that your child might like to use to decorate his very own TV!
• Heavy-duty scissors or utility knife (all cutting in this activity MUST be done by an adult)

What to Do:

You can't have a proper television show without a proper television.  Start by cutting a large square or rectangular hole on one side of your cardboard box.  Next, let your child decorate his new TV however he wants (make sure you do this project in a place that can get a little messy).  When the television is all finished (and the paint and glue has fully dried), have your child perch on his knees under the box so his face and chest are visible through the "screen."  Your little one is all set to star in his very own show!  If you have some extra cardboard, why not make a little remote?  As you "change the channel" you'll be able to enjoy all your child's imagination has to offer.