Summertime brings with it summer vacations, the summer heat and summer boredom-lol! Are your kids there yet? Even though they’ve done it all… they are still looking at you like… “and now what?!”
While yes, boredom is good for kids and they should be bored sometimes. I agree, that it is super important for kids to learn to just be. For them to learn to just sit and look out of window or rock in a rocking chair. For them to just lay in the grass and be. I also think that can only last so long.
Not long ago my kids hit that mark of using the word bored… At first I would just give them a chore to do anytime they said it. And while yes that works like a charm, I also thought why not provide more options for them then just chores. There are plenty of ways for our kids to stay entertained either by themselves or with siblings.
Here is our “Before You Say I’m Bored” List of things to do:
- Completed your chores: Organizing and cleaning is a perfect way to beat boredom and for your kids to keep their space clean.
- Gone outside: Time outdoors is restorative and full of benefits, physically and mentally.
- Created arts: Have you painted something or colored.
- Gardened: Have you gotten your hands dirty in the dirt. Watered the plants, checked on the garden.
- Tried a handicraft: Have you found a new hobby. Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting.
- Listened to music: Put your favorite song on and dance.
- Read a book: Did they finish that library book they checked out. Have they started a new one.
- Made something yummy: This is one the whole household will benefit from. Lets make something yummy. Grab a cookbook and lets plan.
- Listened to a podcast: My kids love podcast. I’ll have to create a list of our favorite ones. But this is a great way to get everyone seated in the same room enjoying a snack and listening.
- Finished a puzzle: Puzzles ebb and flow in our house, sometimes they are into them sometimes they are not. But it’s always good to remind them of puzzles, they can work on a harder one together or by themselves.
- Written a letter: Send a letter to a friend, a cousin or grandma and grandpa.
- Played a game: We have a closet full of games (this is another list ill have to put together). They have access to them all and are free to play anytime they want.
There are tons of ideas you could add to these (movies, walks, visiting neighbors) and I truly hope you do make it your own!