Updated on February 12, 2025
I have a confession to make. My son (who is four and a half) plays way too many video games. We are a house of gamers. We have a Wii, Playstation 3, PSP and a computer. There are places to play games everywhere – even on the go.
Lately, my son has not been acting very nicely. In particular, he has not been listening and has been talking back. So, we have pretty much banned him from playing video games. And you know what? His attitude is much improved when he doesn’t sit in front of a screen all day. I know, I know. You are all thinking – duh! But, I never would have thought one was related to another. Anyway, I want him to be able to play. I am not of the mindset that he should get no games at all. But he is going to have to earn the video game time.
And wouldn’t you know, just at the right time I came across this post on TeachMama.com. The answer was right there in front of me.
So, I went about creating something functional (and nice looking) for my living room that would allow my son to earn video game time in 15 minute increments.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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Supplies needed:
– Picture frame (mine is 8″ x 10″)
– Spray paint (optional) Rust-Oleum Hammered Finish (Brown)
– Foam board
– Coordinating sheets of scrapbook paper
– Envelopes
– Game Cards
– Adhesive
Step One:
I had an ugly green frame that was sitting around asking to be used. So I took it outside and gave it a good coat of spray paint. Obviously, this step is optional if you have a non-ugly frame that matches your decor.
Step Two:
Cut foam board to size. I just used the cardboard that came in frame to trace the size onto the foam board. You could also use the glass or measure it out.
Step Three:
Cut and adhere your base layer of paper to top of foam board. I just used a glue stick to tack it down. It is being held in place by the frame, so you probably don’t need anything super strong here. Insert your paper covered foam board into the frame.
Step Four:
Create your envelopes. You could make these yourself if you wanted, but I had some sturdy manila envelopes laying around that I cut to size and covered with matching paper. I really like that I found paper in my stash that has super-hero action words on it. Perfect for my little guy that is totally into super-heroes right now!
Step Five:
Adhere envelopes to your frame. I used Xyron Mounting Tape for this. Another good product to use would be Super Sticky Red Tape, but I was all out!
Step Six:
Label your envelopes. I used my Cricut to cut out the letters, but you could cut them out by hand, draw them on or use letter stickers if you wanted to. (My letters were cut with the ‘Printing 101’ cartridge.) I added some blue glitter to the letters “play” because you couldn’t really see the blue that well on the patterned paper.
I used the words “play” and “stop” because I know my little guy knows both of these words really well. If he has cards in the “play” envelope he can play for the amount of time he has in there. He can use his video game time he has earned all at once or throughout the day.
Step Seven:
Create your “game cards”. I made mine in 15 minute increments. He will have to earn these by listening, helping mommy, being nice to his sister, etc.
Here is a printable version of the game cards I made. They included all our various video game systems so there would be no confusion as to what these cards were for.
Download Game Time cards printable (Download is for personal use only.)
Now, I am just hoping we can all stick with it – myself included.
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SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime says
I really appreciate you linking up this wonderful post at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop :)
Laura O in AK says
I love the ‘pretty’ factor for the time cards! Thanks for linking up on the Creative Blogger’s hop this past week.
Oh…I have three boys addicted to video and computer games. Attitude is definitely linked with amount of time playing video games.
Laura O in Ak
http://www.daybydayinourworld.com
2busy says
What a great idea!