Everyone is panicking over what the kids are going to do this summer and while Pinterest is FULL of ideas like this – I thought I’d add my contribution.

I wrote ideas that incorporate several areas of learning and will appeal to my target audience (school age kids). Most of my ideas can be done independently but some might require adult guidance. I’m planning to join the boys for many of the activities because I included things that will also appeal to me….shhhhh….it’s not cheating!

One thing that I recommend is that you have the materials handy for any activities you include. Many of the ideas I wrote can be done with practically anything you have around the house. The general idea is to write out or type a bunch of ideas – so that when the children say they are bored – you can send them to the jar.

The jar can be decorated and it doesn’t even have to be a jar!  Use a shoe box, a Ziploc bag, or a Tupperware container – it’s all up to you. I used a jar and some funny stickers I had around the house. Cut out the ideas and put them in the jar. If you’d like to reuse your ideas – you can attach them to card stock or craft sticks for added durability.

Feel free to use some or all of my ideas from the list below for your “Bored Jar” – and if you’d like to share some of your ideas, email me. I created the original list in Google Docs and it is available to print here.

• Draw your favorite animal in different color than you usually see it.
• Design a tree house for you and your friends. 
• Draw a self portrait using only squares.
• Write a new story featuring your favorite character from a book or TV show.
• Design your dream house in 3D – use legos, cardboard, recyclables or anything else you can think of!
• Make a gift for someone.
• Make a birdhouse or a yard decoration.   
• Make an item for a fairy garden. 
• Create a magic wand.
• Hide a treasure and draw a map.
• Design a spacecraft. 
• Draw a  blueprint for a new machine.
• If you made a robot, what would it do? Write, draw or build a model of your robot. 
• Make a list of things that you are grateful for.
• Write a thank you letter to someone who has helped you.
• Ask an important question you have been thinking about.
• Who do you admire? Write a letter telling them why.
• Think about a play made from your favorite book. What would some props be?
• Read a poem and then draw a picture about it.
• Look at a famous piece of art. What does it make you feel?
• Draw a picture of two animals combined together.
• What do you want to do when you are older? Find out 5 facts about it.
• If you were the president, what are three things you would do and why?
• Make your own desert  island with clay, blocks, or recyclables.
• Make a list of your 10 favorite toys, games, movies, or books.
• Read about someone who is doing a job you’d like to do when you are older.
• What are three things that help you when you are feeling sad?
• Draw a picture of your family using only circles. 
• Paint or draw or make a collage using your favorite color only.
• Pick a historical event and share 5 new things you learned about it at dinner.

Do you think this will help keep the kids occupied this summer? Comment below with your ideas!