“Mo-om! I’m boooored!” The most dreaded words of summer vacation strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere. Sometimes it seems that summer boredom strikes the moment they step off the bus on the first day of break! And while the simplest thing might be to throw them in front of the nearest video game system or computer, you know that isn’t how you want your kids to spend their summer. You want screen-free boredom busters!
This is a sponsored post for Juicy Juice, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Here are a few fun activities to help combat summer and out of school boredom!
Some of them are great for unsupervised time, while others will need the help or watchful eye of a parent.
1. Wash all the family vehicles.
What seems like a chore to mom and dad is often a lot of fun for the kids! It’s totally a win-win. The kids get outside and get their bodies moving and the car gets cleaned. Don’t forget to vacuum the inside and clean those windows!
Plus, it’s a pretty sure fire way for the kids to get each other with the hose (I’m looking at you, B…she looks suspicious and I don’t even see the hose!)
After cleaning, the car (or even during this or any other outdoor activity), I’ll let them have a Juicy Juice Juicy Waters so they can stay hydrated with zero-sugar water with fun flavor. It’s important to have family fun outside and stay hydrated!
Juicy Juice Waters drink is Organic, made with no high fructose corn syrup and available in three flavors: Fruit Punch, Orange and Strawberry Watermelon! The kids love the taste and I love that there is no sugar!
2. Write and illustrate your own book.
Siblings and friends can collaborate story ideas or one can write while the other handles the pictures.
3. Write letters or draw pictures to send to a far away friend or relative.
For extra fun, go shopping at the dollar store and put together a little care package to send along with the letters.
4. Set up camp in the backyard and imagine you’re trying to survive deep in the woods.
Roast hot dogs and marshmallows around the fire pit. (With adult supervision, of course.)
5. Try out a new recipe together.
Allow older children to take charge of planning and cooking a meal for the family on their own. Maybe try out these yummy death by chocolate cake pops or banana raspberry muffins.
6. Sort through old toys and set up a garage sale.
You can make a few extra bucks for your next family outing or just treat everyone to pizza and ice cream.
7. Set up an at-home spa day and give each other manicures and pedicures, soak in the tub, and do your hair and makeup.
Before hoping in the tub, make a batch of bath salts or bath bombs to enjoy.
8. Learn a new hobby.
Try knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, woodworking, or gardening. Bonus points if you can spend some time with a grandparent or older friend or relative to learn these new skills. The second daughter and I have been enjoying learning hand embroidery skills.
9. Teach your kids a favorite game from your childhood.
Dust off a forgotten board game
, draw a four square court in the driveway with some chalk, or grab a ball, a few neighborhood friends, and play Ante Over.
10. Put on a talent show.
Let the kids go all out, creating their acts, dressing up in costumes, and even inviting friends to come watch the final product.
11. Create and go on a scavenger hunt.
Parents can create the clues and send the kids off to hunt or vice versa. If you have bug lovers, check out this fun bug scavenger hunt.
12. Perform acts of kindness.
Visit with the elderly, cook a meal for a new mom, or bake cookies for a neighbor.
13. Rearrange or redecorate a bedroom.
Younger kids can create new works of art to hang on the walls in the redesigned space.
14. Create a family or personal flag and write your own national anthem.
Use your favorite things to inspire your design and lyrics.
15. Drive to a different neighborhood and explore a new park!
Be sure to introduce yourselves to someone new while you’re there. Of course, from a distance.
16. Build your vocabulary in a new language.
Arm your kids with a translator dictionary and some post-it notes and let them label common items around the house.
17. Paint inspiring words and pretty designs on rocks and hide them around town to bring a smile to the faces of others.
Bonus points if you find a rock while you are out hiding yours.
18. Work together to create a family playlist and then have a dance-off in the living room.
Make up your own dance moves to name after yourself!
19. Play “fun school.”
Allow kids to take turns being the teacher and teaching the rest of the family how to do their own talent or favorite activity.
20. Relax on a blanket and look for shapes in the clouds.
Make up stories to go with the items that you see.
21. Quiz each other with fun trivia questions.
The sky is literally the limit when it comes to fun and imaginative things to combat summer boredom. Use these ideas to help spark inspiration for even more screen-free ideas to keep your kids occupied this summer.
What are some other fun outdoor or screen-free activities you and your family can enjoy?
Krystyn has been blogging since 2005. She is a sarcasm-loving, straight-shooting, jeans and t-shirts wearing, wife and mom of four girls (ages 14, 12, 9 and 7). She blogs about life as a mom and wife and includes funny stories, family travel, fitness, recipes, STEM and more. She currently resides in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs.
Grandma Pat says
These are all great ideas.
Lindsey Paris says
Red once killed an entire pad of Post Its making a hunting “trail” for his sister, since she can’t read… instead she had to follow the notes. But it kept him busy for a loooooong time!
Sarah L says
Visit your local library.
Donna porter says
These are some fun activities that will come in handy!
Lindsey Paris says
Mom Cannons armed with activites! These are very good!
Carolyn Daley says
I love the idea of writing a story together and going on a scavenger hunt.