There is nothing quite like the freedom of the bell ringing on the last day of school and knowing that summer break is officially here.
That is, unless you are the parent who 5 days later is hearing their child saying, “I'm bored”. (when that happens - don't forget that I have 6 natural headache remedies for you to try)
Here are 20 Summer Boredom Busters to help break up the monotony of the long hot summer days at home. Some of these suggestions are classics that you probably remember from childhood. A few of them cost a few bucks out of pocket to do or prep for - and others are new spins on classic summer fun. Grab the calendar and put something from this list on at least one day each week the kids will be home on break to remind yourself of the fun things that will help you prevent those whiney voices begging for something to do.
20 Summer Boredom Busters
- Family Water Gun Fights. Get out the Super Soakers or the cheap throw away guns from your local dollar store, grab some water balloons and choose sides. On long hot days surprise Dad when he arrives home from work with an instant water gun fight.
- Karaoke Contest. Everyone is singing the latest hit song. Why not join in the fun with an impromptu karaoke contest. Just the family or invite the neighborhood kids and set up the back yard like a theater and serve up ice cream and punch. Pick teens or adults to judge the contest and give the winner a special prize.
- Homemade Slip N Slide. Why spend money on a fancy water slide for the yard? Grab a few tarps, large trash bags or plastic sheeting and turn on the water hose at one end to create your very own back yard “water slide”.
- Pudding Paint. This one is fun and great for toddlers to do. Grab some cheap pudding cups or mix up your own, set them out on a table, lay out a plastic bag or tarp and let the kids paint each other with the pudding. Fun and edible.
- Mini Spa Day. Great for tweens and teens this can be easy and inexpensive. Grab some sugar, salt, epsom salt, essential oils, nail polish and massage oils to create an at home foot spa, manicure or pedicure station or just a great way to make gifts to give to friends.
- Geocaching. This fun activity is what we like to refer to as a “nature scavenger hunt”. Take a day, load up the car and check out your local Geocaching areas. Tons of fun and educational. (new to Geocaching? Check out this guide to geocaching for beginners!)
- Library Kids Activities. Check your local library for great reading programs, art classes and more available for free or low fees.
- Board Game Competitions. Put the video games and smart phones away and pull out the traditional board games for a little family friendly competition. Winner chooses dinner.
- Take A Cooking Class. This is great for the kids who enjoy cooking or are always asking to help in the kitchen. Check local community colleges and libraries for free or low fee summer cooking classes for beginners or kids depending on ages.
- Visit the Fire Department. Whip up a batch of cookies or cupcakes together and head out to your local fire department. Not only will the crew enjoy the treat but they will likely give your kids a tour of the station and the trucks.
- Be Mom For The Day. Let the kids be the parents for the day. Set rules but let them choose what to eat, what to wear, what chores to do and what you watch on tv.
- Make Your Own Playdough. Equal parts corn starch and hair conditioner make a simple, soft and great smelling playdough that kids can play with for hours. Play with the amount of corn starch you use to make it harder if desired.
- Make Candies & Treats. Grab supplies for your family favorite fudge, homemade candies or cookies and spend all day playing in the kitchen.
- Go For A Picnic. Pack a lunchbox or picnic basket full of your favorite sandwiches, drinks and cookies and head to a local park for a fun picnic.
- Make Puzzles. Print off some fun pictures on paper and glue to a piece of cardboard. Cut into fun shapes and then have fun putting the “puzzles” pack together.
- Make Friendship Bracelets. Whether you simply braid fun fabrics or strings together or make the traditional friendshp bracelets of your childhood this is a great way to occupy girls and boys alike for hours.
- Host an Ice Cream Party. Invite their friends over for an ice cream buffet. Grab buckets of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, syrups, nuts, sprinkles, candy, crushed cookies, fruit and whipped cream and let them build their own sundae.
- Make Homemade Ice Cream. A play on the activity above is to have kids make their own ice cream flavors. You can grab vanilla and various toppings and let them create their own, or simply go the old fashioned route of making ice cream from scratch in a mixer. You can even try this easy watermelon sorbet recipe!
- Paint A Wall With Chalkboard Paint. Grab some chalkboard paint and create a chalkboard wall in the playroom, garage or their bedroom. Grab or make chalk and let them create a mural.
- Host A Garage Sale. Put the kids to work cleaning out closets, the attic and their toy boxes and let them host a garage/yard sale (get some great tips on how to have a successful garage sale) . As long as they do all the work let them keep the earnings for a special day at the local amusement park, movies or bowling.
No matter what they choose to do these 20 Summer Boredom Busters are a great place to start when you hear that first child say, “Mom, I'm bored”. Most are low cost or no cost and one might even make you a little money in the process. No matter what you choose to do, make sure to stop and savor the memories because our kids grow up way too fast.
You might want to take a look at these other posts to make your summer a little easier:
