Now that school has been out for a couple of weeks, the inevitable words “Mom, I’m bored” may have been overheard at your house. I am of a mindset that kids don’t need to be entertained all day long. Oh, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to have some structured activities planned, but part of the fun of being a kid in the summer is the extra free time you get to enjoy.
I get it, there comes a time when kids just run out of ideas. So, I thought this was a great time to come up with a list of summer boredom busters for kids. I also set a few parameters: activities must need minimal or no assistance from an adult; aren’t chores (are activities the kids will want to do) and includes both inside and outside activities.
I also went ahead a created a FREE printable, so you can have it handy when you need it. I’ve also seen creative ideas where people cut up the activities and then let kids pull one out of a jar, just to add to the fun.
Here’s 100 summer boredom busters for kids:
- Jump rope
- Set up an outdoor obstacle course
- Have a water balloon or gun fight
- Have a dance party
- Bake cookies for the neighbors
- Paint a picture
- Wash the car
- Have a talent show
- Make up a new drink
- Go on a bug hunt
- Color something
- Run in the sprinklers
- Play hide and go seek
- Write a letter to someone (and then mail it)
- Learn a new magic trick
- Have a staring and laughing contest
- Play a board game
- Take a walk around the block
- Ride your bike (scooter or skateboard)
- Read a book
- Slip & Slide
- Find figures in the clouds
- Read joke books and tell jokes
- Write a script
- Make a movie
- Complete a puzzle
- Bake a cake and decorate it
- Write a story about your summer
- Fly a kite
- Build a fort
- Make paper airplanes
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Watch a movie
- Play cards
- Blow bubbles
- Make shadow puppets
- Draw with sidewalk chalk
- Play catch
- Play the Silent Game:)
- Build something with boxes
- Climb a tree
- Throw a Frisbee
- Host a tea party
- Write a poem
- Walk the dog
- Play charades
- Do the Running Man or learn how to Dab
- Play with toys
- Electronics Time
- Write five things you love about your family
- Draw a map
- Find out how many bones are in the human body
- Do a science experiment
- Make popcorn
- Take pictures with a camera
- Write a menu for lunch or dinner
- Play pretend (kitchen, school, pirates, cowboys, etc)
- Get crafty and make something
- Play dress up and have a costume parade
- Follow a no-bake recipe
- String together macaroni and make jewelry
- Write letters to soldiers (and then mail them)
- Create a secret handshake
- Make a cootie catcher
- Choreograph a dance, cheer or baton routine
- Play “Mother, May I”
- Practice saying the 50 states (or presidents)
- Make up your own Mad Libs
- Play Sudoku, crosswords and word searches
- Play basketball or a game of HORSE
- Hula hoop
- Put together a band (use play instruments or pots and pans)
- Find and count all of your loose change or money
- Give the dog a bath
- Look at old family photos
- Learn sign language
- Practice cartwheels, somersaults and handstands in the backyard
- Sing or karaoke
- Play soccer
- Learn Spanish (or another language)
- Do jumping jacks
- Put on a puppet show
- Swing
- Have a spelling bee
- Play hangman
- Sculpt with clay or play doh
- Play beauty salon or have a spa day
- Write and illustrate a comic book
- Make invisible ink and write with it
- Build a bird feeder
- Make a summer scrap book
- Make your own musical instrument
- Make mud pies
- Have a building challenge with LEGOS, Lincoln Logs, K’Nex etc.
- Put on a fashion show
- Learn how to juggle
- Play 20 Questions
- Create a dandelion or flower chain necklace
- Have a Frozen (or other movie) sing-a-long
- Take a nap!
DOWNLOAD FREE PDF:06.17.16 100 Summer Boredom Busters 4 Kids
Do you have a favorite summertime boredom busting activity? Have you tried any of these? Share your thoughts in a comment.