Toot's Mom is Tired

A Parenting + Mom Life Blog

  • Home
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • “Why Do You Call Your Daughter Toot?”
    • Our Favorite Things
  • Popular Posts
    • Top Posts
    • Mom Life
    • Pregnancy
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • Crafts & Activities
    • Earn & Save Money
  • Mom Resource Library
  • Contact Me
  • Shop

What to Do When Your Kid Wants the TV on All Day

October 18, 2019

147shares
  • Share 2
  • Tweet

Does your toddler or preschooler want the TV on constantly even if they aren’t watching it? Or maybe they just want to sit and watch TV all day and don’t actually play?

I’ve been there. Here’s how we got around the need for the TV to be on all the time.

What to do when your kid wants the tv on all day

{This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.}

Why Do Kids Want the TV on All the Time?

Well, it’s probably the same reason I do. It’s just what I’m used to. Even if I don’t want to watch it, it just feels wrong if the TV is dark.

It’s kind of like a security blanket or a nightlight. We’re used to the light and the sound.

You can just say no and leave the TV off. That is an option. But I found it’s much easier to compromise.

The trick to getting kids to actually play while the TV is on is to find something they don’t want to pay attention to.

Otherwise you end up with your 4 year old just holding her PJ Masks toys while she watches PJ Masks.

Spotify playing music on the TV
Sia is Toot’s current obsession.

Put Music on Your TV

The easiest way to keep your preschooler or child from watching the TV is to just put music on.

Sure, we could just put the music on the Echo Dot, but she wants the TV on. So I use the Spotify app on my Firestick to play the music out of the TV speakers and so the screen lights up.

Related:  It IS Possible to Have Healthy Toddlers

We pay for Spotify Premium so I’m not sure if you can do that with the free version.

You could also use Amazon Music Unlimited.

Try Amazon Music Unlimited for Free

What type of songs should you put on? That’s up to you and your kid.

You could put on general kids music like the Wiggles or nursery rhyme songs. Or just their favorite popular songs (edited of course.) You could even try putting on classical music.

Toot is very into Sia currently, but she also enjoys kid songs like the Daddy Finger song and Baby Shark.

Try Audiobooks or Podcasts on The TV

Another option is to play an audiobook or podcast through your TV.

We can play Audible on our Fire Stick. So sometimes I’ll put on the Harry Potter audiobooks. She doesn’t really pay attention to it but it’s nice to listen to and isn’t completely age inappropriate.

See Audiobooks For Kids on Amazon

There are also podcasts for kids that are short stories. Some even have music and sound effects.

Stories Podcast and Storynory are our favorites.

You can use apps on a smart TV to play them. We use Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn to listen to podcasts on the TV.

Use Your Own Background Show

What show do you put on as background noise while you’re doing something? Is it The Office? Friends?

If it’s relatively acceptable for your child to watch it, put it on.

We’ve been watching The Office on repeat since I was pregnant with Toot. She knows Michael Scott, Pam, Jim, and Dwight. She’s so used to their voices and the theme song. She literally grew up with it.

Related:  How to Get a Picky Eater to Try New Foods

She has no interest in actually watching the show because she doesn’t get the jokes, and she doesn’t care to even try to.

But she does like the familiarity of the voices of Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson.

Just make sure there’s nothing on it that would scare them and the content isn’t too mature. There is one Halloween episode I make sure to skip if she’s in the room. (The one where Gabe makes an uncomfortably scary video for the party.)

beach ambient video for your tv

Ambient Rooms or ASMR Rooms

I recently found ASMR rooms on YouTube for myself for when I’m reading. Again, because I can’t NOT have the TV on. I turn on an ambient room for the light and quiet sounds.

Most of the ones I’ve found are very specific like the Harry Potter common rooms. But there are some generic ones like ocean waves or meadows.

Most are at least an hour long with some being 8 or 10 hours long. They are usually looped. Some will just be quiet noises that go with the scene, and some will have gentle music to accompany it.

Just search for Ambient Room or ASMR room on YouTube. You’ll find a bunch.

preschooler playing while the tv is on in the background

What do you put on your TV in the background while your child is playing?

Let me know in the comments below if you have any other ideas for compromising on TV in the background while playing.

Or do you just say no to TV? How do you get your kid to accept the TV being off?

Read More about Preschoolers

You also might like:

  • 5 Screen-Free Activities for Toddlers
  • 10 Educational STEM Toys for Toddlers
  • The Best Prime Video Shows for Toddlers and Preschoolers
  • 10 Best Peppa Pig Toys
  • 17 Fun Pretend Play Games and Activities for Toddlers
  • 7 Educational TV Shows for Toddlers
147shares
  • Share 2
  • Tweet

Preschoolers, Toddlers · 1 Comment

Trending Posts to Read Next

Realistic Toddler Meal Ideas

9 Prizes for Baby Shower Games

Why is My Baby Gasping or Sobbing in her Sleep?

50 Toddler Approved Recipes for the Whole Family

10 Educational STEM Toys for Toddlers

 


« Top 10 Toys for 3-Year-Olds This Year
Gender Reveal Party Pretzels »

Comments

  1. Julie says

    October 18, 2019 at 11:21 am

    I am not used to this but my husband says when the TV is on that’s how you know someone is home. That changed when we stopped cable though haha.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Toot's Mom is Tired

Hi! I’m Niki.

I’m a mom of a preschooler called Toot. Yes, I’m always tired!

So I’m sharing all of my tips, hacks, and recommendations for other tired moms to make parenting and mom life a little easier.

Find out more about me >>

  • About Me
  • Mom Resource Library
  • Popular Articles
  • Mom Life
  • Pregnancy
  • Babies
  • Toddlers
  • Crafts & Activities
  • Shop

Privacy Policy

Disclosure

Contact Me

Search

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Toot's Mom is Tired · Hello You Designs