20 Summer Boredom Busters

Summer. It’s the time of year most kids live for, but many parents secretly dread. I know I have a love/hate relationship with it. Not enough structure sometimes leads to LONG days and kids who whine, “I’m bored.” I’m NOT one of those moms who thinks I need to fill my kids’ days with endless activities. I actually think it’s good for them to be bored at times. Boredom is what often sparks creativity.

But in the freedom of summer, it’s nice to be able to have a little more spontaneity and a few activities in my back pocket for those times to break from the boredom. Summer boredom busters, if you will. And here are just a few I’ve collected from around the net that will not only bust some boredom, but sneak in some learning as well!

20 Summer Boredom Busters

1. Play summer learning games. It’s important to keep content fresh over the summer. But especially because it’s summer, spice it up and make it more fun, like these Simple Sight Word Games we like to do.

2. Write a book with your child. Use a family trip or special outing as a springboard. Or use your child as the starring character. Just imagine and write together. {By the way, this is great for reluctant writers of any age!}

3. Read to {and with} your child. Find some great read aloud texts you’d like to explore together this summer. Write out a list and visit the library often!

4. Try some Go outside! Cards {What an absolutely brilliant idea!}

5. Bored on a road trip? Try my FREE Interstate BINGO game (for older kids) and my FREE Road Trip BINGO game. The Measured Mom also shares more tips and printables for the car ride!

6. Do a science experiment. Sure it may take a little prep work to gather all your supplies, but kids {at least my own kids} LOVE to do these with me {and I don’t do them often enough}. Lemon Lime Adventures is one of my favorite places to go for science fun.

7. Get in the kitchen and BAKE! I love how Buggy and Buddy extends the concepts in a book into the baking she does with her kids! How clever.

8. Create an obstacle course for or with your child {inside OR out}, then navigate it together.

9. Rotate what you already have. I love, love, love Walking by the Way’s “the jar” idea. Simply genius!

10. Integrate water…at the pool, in your backyard, or in your driveway. Water fun goes a LONG way!

11. Explore with sidewalk chalk. The possibilities are truly endless with sidewalk chalk; like did you know you can even make ice chalk??

12. Work a Puzzle. Buy one at a yard sale, at the store, or print your own.

13. Create a “Bored Activity Chart”. Love this idea from Busy Kids=Happy Mom!

14. Play with stickers {or other quiet activities} because sometimes, it’s just nice to have quiet. Ahhhh…

15. Have a read-a-thon of sorts. I love how The Measured Mom and KC Edventures encourages kids to add a little spice and variety to their reading for the summer.

16. Make a scavenger hunt for outings such as the zoo or the beach.

17. Arts & Crafts Time! Red Ted Art is my “go-to” place for craft ideas and if you’re looking specifically for summer crafts, she has an amazing list here.

18. Ask your child what she’d like to learn. Do some project-based learning, based on your child’s interests. This is a FANTASTIC and rather sneaky way to integrate all the subject areas!

19. Play with music. Dance together in your family room, make a musical instrument together, learn the piano keys, or do some storytelling to music. Music has a way of lifting the “boredom blahs” right out of the day.

20. Eat your breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a different way. Visit Not Consumed’s round-up of “wacky” Family Dinner ideas for some inspiration! {If you just search her blog for “family fun night”, you’ll find many more ideas, like the spoons family fun night in the photo above.}

Kids Still Bored? Even More Summer Boredom Buster Ideas:

• 50 Summer Fun & Learning Activities for Kids {Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas}
• Summer Boredom Busters {Here Come the Girls Blog}
• 15 Summer Activities Kids with Love {Mess for Less}
• 10 Boredom Busters for Summer {Plain Vanilla Mom}
• Summer Boredom Busters {Teach Beside Me}

Follow This Reading Mama’s board Summer Theme on Pinterest.

What kinds of things have you been doing lately with your child? It’s time to share at the After School Linky! Feel free to visit the other hosts, listed below for their features and after school activities for ages 5 and up!