I was just talking with a good friend today about how our summertime woes have already set in. With the kids out for three weeks now, and some of the initial busy-ness and transition time coming to an end, we’re left with incredibly hot weather and incredibly full houses to contend with.
Some time ago I was contacted by the people at Primrose Schools with ideas for beating the summertime gloom, and today was the day for me to sit down with the kids and put some of these ideas into action. It was either that, or the threat of a serious mental meltdown, so I was happy to choose the wiser route.
Primrose Schools’ Vice President of Education, Dr. Mary Zurn, has just launched a blog called Dr. Z and Me, where she includes 10 fabulous tips for overcoming summertime boredom. Some of the tips include:
- A “Banishing the Boredom” Jar
- Stories Alive
- Art Treasure Chest
- Family Performances
…and more. To see the entire list of 10 ideas – and to find something that will fit your family’s needs and personalities best – read Dr. Z’s blog post.
Primrose Schools actually sent me and my family the materials to make our own “Banishing the Boredom” jar. There are no set rules for this activity – just do whatever suits your family. The main idea is to brainstorm activities that you enjoy doing together as a family, write those ideas on index cards or slips of paper, and then collect the suggestions in one main jar. When the mood – or boredom, specifically – strikes, take out a suggestion from the jar and get your family into gear!
I told my kids to dream big or small, no matter. I asked them to just think of whatever they would love to do as a family, and though I couldn’t make any promises, I would do my very best to make those things happen for our family this summer. What we decided to do with the cards is to draw three cards each Sunday night, then choose one of the three to try to make happen during the upcoming week. If we could make two or all three of the things happen, then great! But – because of potential cost or time requirements – we would only absolutely commit to one.
The kids came up with some great ideas: have a family bake sale, go to the zoo, go to the new Harry Potter movie, make puppets, etc. They decorated the index cards and the jar, and now we have it in a central place in the kitchen for all of us to look at and look forward to.
For some of us, either we toy with “crazy” all summer long, or we try to pull ourselves up and get creative with how we spend this time together. I really encourage you to visit Dr. Z and Me and see which of her suggestions for overcoming summertime boredom and brain drain spark some interest and fun with your family.
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Innovative ideas
on Jun 25th, 2009
@ 10:21 pm:
These are some great ideas to look out for. Thanks for sharing such wonderful ideas. You can even go for some innovative home based ideas like you can let child let play in bath and make iceberg for them, make paddling pools for them, make sand-pits… Children will love all these.
Mommy Cracked
on Jun 26th, 2009
@ 11:28 am:
Very good stuff! That gave me some great ideas!