Wednesday, July 2, 2014

10 Free or Cheap Things to do With Your Kids This Summer

We can all only hear, “I’m bored” so many times without going a little insane. And while, yes, wine can help with that, so can a list of things to do. I have rounded-up a few that I hope will help you to curb the summer boredom at your house.

1.  Nature Scavenger Hunt. Make a list of things in nature and have a scavenger hunt. You can be specific or vague.  For example, you can write bug or you can write earthworm.  You can write leaf or you can write oak leaf.  You can also do something more with senses. Look for something fuzzy, or hard, or listen for specific sounds. Another variation is to get paint chips from the store and see if you can find something to match it. 
This is a great combo scavenger hunt printout with specific items and senses. http://howtonestforless.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/summer-camp-scavenger-hunt.jpg
This link has a great group of scavenger hunt lists but you can always make your own! http://handsonaswegrow.com/32-ways-kids-can-go-on-scavenger-hunts/

2.  Sidewalk Chalk
Grab some sidewalk chalk and let your child have fun. They can just draw pictures our you can create something interactive. You could draw a bull’s-eye and try to see who can throw a beanbag closest.  You could also draw hopscotch or some other game.  Have fun with it. The good thing is that you can take a picture and let it all wash away for an empty canvas another day.  If you are anything like me, keeping all of the traditional art projects becomes a space issue, but sometimes you feel bad throwing them away. This solves that problem.

 3.  Local Library
I know it sounds simple and maybe a bit dorky, but library programs have come a long way from story time. Our local library has a bubble lady who, apparently, can create huge bubbles with dry ice. It also has a Lego day.  It is worth the internet search to see what your library has to offer.  
When you are at the library, they may even find some great summer reading.  We read chapter books together over the summer. Jacob thinks that it is a treat because we do not always have time to read longer books together during the school year.

4. Regal Movies
Do you have a local Regal movie theatre? This may be worth checking out!  The movies are on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and the weeks correspond with varying dates by location. Check out what is available in your zip code.
Admission to these movies during the Summer Movie Express is only $1. Tickets must be purchased at the theater and all movies start at 10:00 am. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute. Search for a theater in your area to see where the Summer Movie Express is playing.

5. Water Blob
So maybe this has been around for a long time, but I was just recently introduced to the water blob and it is such a cute idea.  The writer of Homemade Toast, Leisha, seems to have a leak proof version that is worth checking out. Here is a link to and a picture from her blog.






6. Make Jewelry (Beads or Edible)
If you want something for an older child and something you can keep, go to the craft store and get some string and beads. You can make all sorts of things.  If you have younger kids and just want something fun, you can make necklaces or bracelets out of cereal and a pipe cleaner. You could try cheerios or fruit loops. When you are done, you have a fun treat!

7.  All About…book (Family, Neighborhood, etc)
We recently started to use the Magic Tree House Journal.  It has places to write all bout your yard and neighborhood. It has scavenger junts as well as placed to write lists and draw pictures. We really like it, but you could just as easy make your own.  You can grab a few pieces of paper and fold them in half to make a book. From there your child could make a picture about your house, your family, anything. Depending on the age of the child, they can write a story, draw picture, cut and paste pictures or use stickers. They can be as creative as they want.

8. Bake or cook
Your child can help you to bake or cook or do it on their own, depending on age.  If they are young, they can help you prepare dinner or maybe even do some food-prep for several meals.  I often find hat a bonus of this is that kids are more willing to eat what they made.
If you have older children, you could make a competition like The Food Network’s Iron Chef or even get creative enough to make a bag for a Chopped-like game.  

 9. Pull out toys you have not played with in a while
I often find that my son plays with the same toys over and over and then gets bored when he gets in a rutt.  However, by just reminding him of some toys that he has not played with in a while, it can be like opening a new present.  He will often have a great time with something that was forgotten.  This can also help to clean things out. If they have not played with a toy in a while and do not want to after offering several times, I know it is time to donate that toy.

 10. Play board games and tic-tac-toe (outdoor with sticks and rocks.)
Sometimes board games can be a great time.  Jacob recently fell in love with Connect-4 but you can adjust to your child’s likes.  I have also found that sometimes I can tweak a game to be something we like. For example, we were outside without a pen and paper, but wanted something to do. I took a few large sticks and we made a tick-tac-toe board.  We used smaller sticks for Xs and rocks for Os.
Just a note of advice.  If you have an activity that you know your child will like, but they say no, make them try it for a few minutes.  Tell them to play it for 5 minues and that they can stop if they want to after that.  Do not set a timer, just have them start. Often they will get into what they are doing and forget that they did not want to do that activity. If you set a timer, it can remind them to be stubborn and say that they are not having fun.
Also, you are absolutely NOT the worst mom ever if you let your child watch TV over the summer.  I agree that it is not healthy for any child to watch TV all day, every day, but by sending them to watch TV or a movie after the 25th time of hearing, “I’m bored, what can I do?” no one will fault you for it.
And hey, if all else fails, make them clean.  I find my son will find something to keep himself busy if his other option is cleaning.  

*Here are a few more ideas in the post about my Bored Jar.

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