America's 2-to-5 year olds spend a whopping 32 hours per week watching TV

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America's couch potatoes in training – its 2- to 5-year olds – spend nearly as much time watching TV as their parents spend at work, according to new research. Preschoolers log more than 32 hours of tube time each week, according to a study by the Nielsen Co.

"Parents depend on the TV as a way to get things done, but when you let your kids watch TV constantly, then they don't know how to do anything except watch TV," says Mike Mosiman, co-author, with his wife, Renee, of "The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child's Intellectual Potential." "And the kids who are the most addicted to the TV tend to get bored easily when the TV is off."

If you're thinking of switching off the electronic baby-sitter and getting those bored little tube addicts engrossed in actual play, it may be easier than you think. While you're at it, if you have older children as well, take note of their viewing habits. That same Nielsen study found that 6- to 11-year-olds watch a little less (28 hours a week), but that's because they have to interrupt their tube time to attend school.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep a small child entertained? "Audio tapes actually improve kids' attention," says Renee Mosiman. "Stock up on preschool songs that your child can listen to regularly. These tapes also help kids develop imagination, since they have to imagine the characters and settings as opposed to having it shown to him or her on the TV screen."

Get your kid involved in hands-on music, too: Buy shakers, drums, even toy pianos. "They are great for developing an interest in music," Renee Mosiman says.

At the toy store, skip the electronic toys with loads of bells and whistles, and look for "role-playing" toys – play foods, kitchenware, doctor kits, cash registers, even old Halloween costumes or superhero outfits. "They help kids develop imagination and problem-solving skills," says Renee, who's also a family therapist.

And get your child into the kitchen when you're cooking, says Carol Tuttle, a parenting expert and author of "It's Just My Nature!"

While you whip up supper, let him make super-simple snacks like "ants on a log," which is nothing more than celery sticks spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins. Bake cookies together and give some away to neighbors.

"Cooking has math and literacy skills combined," explains Kathleen Hayes, editor of Highlights High Five magazine. "Plus, kids get to make a mess."

When you have some time to spend with a child who's bored, let him choose the activity, Tuttle says. Play "grab bag" by writing down a bunch of fun activities, putting them into a paper bag and letting your child draw one slip to figure out what you'll do together.

Crafts don't have to cost a lot of money, says Suzy Martyn, author of "Enjoy the Ride: Tools, Tips and Inspiration for the Most Common Parenting Challenges." "Make personalized placemats for dinner," she says. "Trace their hands on a piece of paper and let them color it. Collect leaves and sticks on a nature walk and let them make a craft with it."

Playing dress-up is a cheap form of entertainment, too. Give your child old clothes – hats, blouses, mittens, plastic jewelry – and they'll be endlessly entertained.

Last but not least – and this is a tough one – set a good example by cutting down on your own TV time. If you can't imagine not watching "Mad Men" and "Grey's Anatomy," record them and watch them when your child's asleep. Unless by that point you're so exhausted from playing that you'd rather go to sleep yourself.

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