1. Know the Schedule, and Make Plans to Watch your Favorites
It’s virtually impossible to watch all of the Olympic coverage. Between network and digital platforms, NBC Universal will air an unprecedented 6,775 hours of programming. But with Rio just one hour ahead of our Eastern Time Zone, we’ll be able to watch many of the events live on TV (and live streaming is an option too). Visit How to Watch the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for details.
Choose one or two sports that your family is most interested in when trying to decide what to watch. If your kids play soccer or basketball, they’ll probably love to watch those games. And swimming, gymnastics and track and field events are among the most popular with audiences of all ages.
Want to turn the viewing into a celebration? Invite a few friends over and host a kid-friendly party! Use these Free Olympic Party Printables for invitations, decorations, games and more to make party-planning a breeze.
3. Explore the History of the Games
7. Talk About True Sportsmanship
At first glance, the Olympics appear to be all about athleticism and strength. But it’s really the stories that draw us in as spectators, and it’s the stories we can use to talk with our kids about what truly matters in competitive sports. Kids can see firsthand what it takes to win, and more importantly, see that winning isn’t everything. When we watch and celebrate the Olympics with our kids, we share with them the true spirit of the games: sport that is practiced with, as the International Olympic Committee so eloquently states, “a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”
Alyssa Chirco is a freelance writer, mother and margarita lover, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for STL Parent, she is Contributing Editor at Parenting Squad, and covers parenting, health and lifestyle topics for publications across the country. She recently moved from the suburbs of St. Louis to a small town in rural Jefferson County, where she is learning to survive with no Target or Starbucks in sight. Follow her on Twitter @AlyssaChirco
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