The sound of a slamming screen door, flip flops littering the porch, the scent of spilled sunscreen….these are all signs of children home for the summer. Â While spending extra time in the summertime sunshine with our kiddos can be delightful, every mother dreads hearing the three little words, “Mom, I’m bored.” Â Keeping kids busy and happy during the long, hot days of summer is hard work! Â You’ll love these five ways to bust boredom and have fun with your family, using supplies you might already have on hand.
1. Â Cardboard Construction
Lorraine is ready to prove that having fun doesn’t need to cost a bundle, over at Ikat Bag. Â She demonstrates more than 10 ways to transform the humble cardboard box into hours of imaginative play.
Don’t have any boxes at home? Â Check with your local grocery store for extras.
2. DIY Sprinkler
At Homespun Threads, Tammy shows a stay-at-home alternative to the waterpark. Â Using inexpensive and readily available PVC pipe, Tammy made a custom sprinkler for her girls to play in when the days get hot.
3. Arts and Crafts
When it is too hot or–heaven forbid!–too rainy to play outside, put kids to work on a craft project they can make themselves. Â Â Ashley shared these simple, yet fun-to-make butterflies at Make it and Love It.
4. Â Gross Goodies
Few kids can pass up the opportunity to play with slime….especially if it glows in the dark! Â Amy from The Idea Room shares her recipe for this ultra-gross concoction that will appeal to children of all ages.
5. Â Sensory Play
Children–especially preschoolers–learn through their five senses. Â A rainbow rice table provides playtime that engages the senses of touch, sight, sound, and even smell.
{Share and Remember} shows how to combine rice and food coloring to make this colorful garden play box. Â Bonus: Â the rice table provide the same sensory experience as sandbox play, without the mess!
Keeping your kids happy this summer doesn’t need to be expensive or time consuming. Â What are your favorite boredom busting bargains?
Beckie those are some great frugal ideas. And I completely agree – keeping the kids entertained all day, all summer is extremely HARD WORK. I just think about all the extra calories I might be burning running around all day with them! Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Jaime
Beckie those are some great frugal ideas. And I completely agree – keeping the kids entertained all day, all summer is extremely HARD WORK. I just think about all the extra calories I might be burning running around all day with them! Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Jaime
OMGoodness, I love the About ONe…thanks for showing me!
Rice table is awesome too. So many ideas so little time 🙂
Love your ideas Beckie. I thought you might enjoy this post I just finished on the subject of staying sane during Summer break. http://sweetwaterstyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/stay-sane-on-your-road-trip-read-aloud.html
I think far too often we think we need to buy kids something-in fact what they want is time with us.
What fabulous ideas! Thanks so much for sharing all of these links.
Beckie – thank you for helping to spread cardboard mania! I appreciate the shoutout. Have a lovely July 4th!
Thanks for sharing my rainbow rice on your blog! Loved checking everything out you have here. I’ll be back!