Last Days of Summer Bored Busters!

My oldest just started school this week! I can’t believe how time has flown and how old he is getting! However, most school districts across the country don’t start school until late August or early September. If you still have a few weeks left of summer to enjoy with your children, here are some fun ideas to keep the kids entertained!

Summer Boredom Busters Ideas!

Pool or Splash Pad! There is no better way to stay cool during those hot summer days then with water! If you children are still little, a backyard kiddie pool is perfect! Otherwise, look around your community and find a great community pool or splash pad to cool off and get some exercise! Plus, it will wear out the kids lending you to a more mellow afternoon!

Hiking – Get outside and enjoy the great outdoors before the cold weather sets in! I’m always amazed by how much my children really enjoy getting outside and hiking when we go as there is usually some complaints from my oldest that he doesn’t want to go! Once we get out on the trail, though, we always have a great time spotting wildlife (bunnies, birds, lizards), eating snacks, and enjoying time together as a family.

Play Games – I LOVE all kinds of games! Board games, card games, puzzles, group games, etc! They provide such a great way to incorporate learning and education into something that is fun and teaches other important life skills like cooperation or good sportsmanship! Some fun games you can try include Phase 10, Yahtzee, Memory, etc.

Art Time with Sidewalk Chalk – Get your child’s creativity flowing with a bucket of sidewalk chalk! Create a maze, draw out a hopscotch course, practice handwriting, or just create fun drawings! My boys always love it when we trace an outline of their body onto the sidewalk. Then, we let them fill in the details adding clothes and facial features.

Read a Book – It is easier for children to find a love for reading if you introduce a variety of books early in their lives and encourage daily reading. With your older children, read a young adult fantasy book together so you can discuss the characters and story. With younger children you can read age appropriate chapter books aloud that will inspired their imagination and storytelling. We really enjoyed “My Father’s Dragon” series and books by Roald Dahl including “James and the Giant Peach” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. With your early reader children, check out books from the library until you find ones that they love! We discovered the “Fly Guy” series this way and ended up purchasing the set as my son absolutely loves them and they have really helped spur his desire to read and work on early reading skills.

What have been your favorite activities with your family this summer?