Television can be entertaining, educational, and inspiring. I love Hallmark movies and Andy Griffith reruns myself, but sometimes it is nice to just turn it off. Do you turn off the television or do you use it for background noise, a free babysitter, or to check the weather?

Here are some great summer alternatives to television:

Get active. There are so many ways to get moving including walking, hiking, biking, boating, swimming, sewing, weaving, reading, writing,tennis, and the list goes on. Every activity might not get your heart rate up or help you to lose pounds, but any activity keeps your brain active and your memory sharp. Adults and kids all need to keep their minds active even if it is summer and school is out.

Volunteer. The local animal shelter, nursing home, library, or homeless shelter may be in great need for volunteers especially in the summer. Why not get the kids together to cut up an old blanket into “kitty blankets” and visit the local shelter. Help children to make paper flowers and deliver them to residents at the local nursing home. Do a clean sweep of closets and toys making a pile to donate to the Salvation Army or other charity organization in need of belongings for less fortunate families.

Bake or make a dinner for a church family that may need respite. There are many lonely elders who would love a home-cooked meal or be surprised with a warm pie.

Spend the day together as a family at the park, at the zoo, or even at the mall. Make it a special day for you and your children without the pressure of work, or deadlines. Just spending time and not money is important to children and when they see that you have that time it is priceless.

Do family devotions rather than turning on that television set. Fifteen minutes reading the Bible or talking to your kids about God’s influence on their everyday life will strengthen the spiritual life of each child and strengthen those important family ties.

Take time to play a game, cards, board games,or even hide and seek. Any of those almost forgotten fun games families played when television was a luxury and not a given can be a great time to talk and laugh with your children. Spending time as a family is never a lost art.

Television has a place in our homes for news, entertainment, and of course the weather. But don’t let summer keep you inside glued to old reruns. Instead, use these last weeks of summer to spend quality time with your children and family members. Visit, talk, share, and enjoy this time and praise God for the opportunity to be together as a family because making memories is priceless.