text: why can't kids play outside away from video games and computers and not be bored?   because all they see is the tv, nintendo or pc. blame their parents.  monkey see, monkey do.  if the parents are active and creative then the children will be too.  i see this in very young children.  my kid is 16 mos. and loves to watch (and chase) birds, pick flowers, throw balls, play on the swing set, and 'read'.  when she goes to the daycare for an hour while i work out she plays with the toys (what a novel idea!) while most of the other kids her age are zoned out to the boob tube.  the fact is that technology is an easier way to entertain a child while creative play sometimes takes some fresh ideas from mom and dad.