5 Ways To Fight Boredom This Summer
Summer is in sight and school is about to end. Sure, the kids are excited now but give them a week and they will be lamenting on how bored they are. In between vacations and day camps, sometimes our kids have a hard time figuring out how to fill their extra down time. Here are some ideas to help your kiddos fill their free time this summer.
Start a new hobby
Summer is a great time to start a new hobby. Maybe it is learning to play an instrument or a new language. Maybe it’s practicing to make a sport’s team when school starts up in the Fall. It could be learning a new craft or skill, like drawing, painting, cooking, paddle-boarding, etc.
Make a Summer binder
Kids are notorious for forgetting what they learned last school year over the summer. Create a Summer binder filled with review activities to help them retain that information. Try math worksheets, learn a new word a day (spelling and definition), include articles on science or history, create art/craft projects, etc. This binder is perfect for your kids to use several times a week.
Other cool things I use…
- Math Prodigy – in this math video game your child is a wizard in training that is sent on a quest. They must answer math questions to make progress through the game. I used this when I was teaching 6th grade math. My students loved it and my own kids love it. I love it because not only are they practicing their math skills but I get a report about what they are excelling at and what skills they need to work on. This is also FREE with an option to for paid membership with extra perks.
- Duolingo – learn a new language or just review – it’s free!
- Yesteryear Gazette – I don’t know who loves this more, me or my kids. Each month you receive a newspaper that has historic events that happened in that month. This is a great way to get kids interested in history!
Create a Summer reading challenge
I love to read in the summer as a way to relax but my kids feel differently about it. This summer we created a reading challenge. For every chapter book my 9 year old and 10 year old finish, they will a trip to the ice cream place of their choice. My 6 year old will need to read several simpler books to me to receive her ice cream reward.
Reading has never been so sweet!
Get a job
Are your kids old enough to get a job? A summer job is a great way to teach your kids about responsibility and how to manage money. If they aren’t old enough for a job outside the home, give them one around the house. My 10 year old started push mowing the lawn each week. Maybe your dog needs walked or flowers need watered everyday. Giving the kids responsibility is a good thing for them, not a punishment. It shows them they are capable, that you trust them, and it instills pride in their hard work (especially if they earn a couple bucks a week).
Become an entrepreneur
Maybe your child has an ambition to be an entrepreneur. Start a lemonade stand or sell friendship bracelets. If it’s doable, encourage them. Help them understand the cost of goods and how to price their items. Talk about profit and a plan on where and how they will sell their item. Also talk to them about what they will do with their profit… is it spending cash? Will some of it go to charity? Will some of it be saved? This can also be a great time to learn about budgeting!
I now I am going to be using all of these with my kids this summer and I can’t wait to watch them learn and grow. Oh yeah… And not hearing, “I’m booooooooorrrrreeeed!” all summer is going to be great!
