Summer break is here! Can I get a woo-hoo? It’s definitely a great time for kids to relax and have fun, but after a few weeks off, it’s not unusual for them to feel a little bored now and then. No worries… we’ve got you covered with some of our favorite summer boredom busters!
10 WAYS TO BEAT BOREDOM
- Get Artsy: Unleash your child’s inner artist with some simple art projects. Set up a painting station with watercolors or make an art box full of paper, scissors, glitter, glue, and yarn. For more ideas, check out all these FUN ARTS & CRAFTS FOR KIDS we found on Pinterest.
- Do a Scavenger Hunt: Plan a backyard scavenger hunt using household items. Create a list of things to find or riddles to solve. It’s a great way to encourage curiosity and problem-solving skills. To get started with some simple indoor activities for rainy days, grab these FREE AT-HOME SCAVENGER HUNTS. They’re ready to print and use!
- Go Backyard Camping: Transform your backyard into a camping wonderland. Set up a tent, build a cozy campfire, and enjoy a night under the stars. Don’t forget the s’mores and storytelling!
- Build an Indoor Fort: On super hot or rainy days, nothing beats building a fort indoors. Throw a big blanket over a table, gather a bunch of stuffed animals, and create a magical hideaway. Add some books, toys, and games for extra fun. As simple as this is, it’s always one of our most favorite summer boredom busters!
- Take a Walk in Nature: Explore the outdoors! Take a stroll through a local park, hike a nearby trail, or take a little walk around your neighborhood. Encourage your children notice, wonder, and ask questions. Collect interesting artifacts along the way. It’s a great opportunity to teach them about the world around them.
- Pick a Puzzle: Puzzles are a great way to help your child develop spatial skills and build a habit of perseverance. You can find inexpensive, age-appropriate puzzles at places like Walmart and The Dollar Tree. Don’t forget to celebrate the accomplishment of finishing one!
- Plan a Dance Party: Clear some space in the living room, turn up the music, and let loose with a dance party! It’s a fun way to get silly while burning off some energy.
- Roll ‘Em: Turn your family room into a cozy theater by setting up a movie night at home. Dim the lights, make the popcorn, grab the blankets, and settle in for a good story.
- Get Cooking: Head to the kitchen and make something together. It can be as simple as sandwiches and soup or as gutsy as learning how to make bread from scratch. Preparing and sharing food together is so fun, but it’s also filled with lots of opportunities to understand more about math, science, and reading procedural text (first, next, then…). Fun Idea: In addition to making food, you can also make homemade play dough or slime. These recipes can be found online and are easy to make with items you probably already have on hand!
- Prep Ahead: Be ready when your child says, “I’m bored,” by having a basket filled with coloring books, logic puzzles, flash cards, children’s magazines, and workbooks.
ALL THAT BEING SAID…
…is boredom a bad thing? There is value in letting children experience boredom from time to time. Take a little time to read this RELATED BLOG POST and download the FREE BOREDOM JOURNAL found in the post. In it, I share how boredom can spark curiosity, motivate a search for novelty, and inspire new and unexpected goals.
MORE SUMMER FUN!
Here’s to a great summer break!
