21 Ideas for Beating Summer Boredom with Kids

We’ve hit the point in the summer where our kids are saying they’re bored and have nothing to do. I’ve come up with a list that hopefully will help occupy the time we have left of summer.

I’m big on the idea that lots of money doesn’t need to be spent to have a good time. I love how being limited with resources increases creativity and I find that posting a list helps to remind myself and the kids of things to do when boredom arises. A little encouragement in a certain direction goes a long way with my kids. It might not be that they follow my suggestion that day, but in a few days I usually find them spending time on what I suggested.

• Lay toys out that your kids have not used in a while say Hot Wheels or blocks. This works best if the item is laid out while the kids are in another room. I don’t mention the item but let them discover it on their own.
• Print out an easy recipe and get busy in the kitchen. I loved this one as a kid. Adult supervision needed.
• Create new spaces in your home. Such as moving furniture into a new arrangement or creating blanket forts.
• Do a chore but make it fun. Washing windows while blaring music.
• Put non-bath toys in the bathtub. How about Tinker Toys or Barrel of Monkeys?
• Declutter rooms with your kids. They’ll find loads of stuff they have forgotten about. To stay on task set a timer for decluttering then afterward allow the kids to play with newly discovered items.
• Set out random craft supplies. Here is a cute idea.
• Create a city with sidewalk chalk then ride bikes around the “city” visiting all the various shops.
• You could make homemade bubbles or buy them already made. The store-bought ones seem to work better, at least for us.
• Use painters tape to create outlines of islands on the floor then pretend the floor is lava.
• Plant some seeds. These are easy to grow.
• Draw a picture or write a note to a friend and mail it.
• Take a walk somewhere new. How about in a friend’s neighborhood?
• Create abstract art by melting crayons with a hairdryer. Adult supervision needed.
• Lay a sheet on the floor and dump Legos out. Call out things to build – desk, alligator, pizza, etc.
• Put on swimsuits and turn on the sprinkler.
• Have a fashion show wearing adult clothes.
• Paint outside with water.
• Read a book out loud together sitting under a tree.
• Set up a domino rally.
• Ask your kids to pack a surprise picnic then drive somewhere, lay out a blanket and dig in.

For pre-readers I like to draw little pictures next to the words so they can “read” the list themselves. At times, I’ll pick two options from the list and have them choose one. Of course, I would love for them to come up with ideas on their own which they often do but sometimes they need a little inspiration, as we all do.

I think we can all come up with excuses like, my yard is not big enough for that activity, if only I had an extra playroom my kids would be entertained, or a pool would be the ultimate boredom buster, if only! The truth is we’re all limited to some extent and I think that makes us more innovative.

What can you do with the space and toys you currently have? Think outside the box, re-purpose items, let some flour fall to the floor, allow your kids an opportunity to discover something new. I find I’m a lot happier when I accept what I have and feel industrious when new activities are created.

Share any ideas you have below in the comments.

You may also like a simple tool to help with parenting or 5 board games 5-year-olds will love.

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