It’s summer and school is out. That means large amounts of free time for the kids. And sometimes, it can also lead to the dreaded words no parent wants to hear: “Mom…I’m bored!”
Don’t stick the kids in front of a screen all summer. Instead, beat boredom with 101 great screen-free activities that kids of all ages will enjoy. Best of all? Most of them are cheap or free!
- Build a fort.
- Grow something – a tomato plant, a pepper plant, anything!
- Play in the sprinkler.
- Write your own play.
- Visit an elderly neighbor or shut-in.
- Find a pen pal and write good old-fashioned letters. (On paper!)
- Have a picnic.
- Go for a nature walk.
- Paint a picture.
- Learn a few words and phrases in another language.
- Read a good book.
- Read a good book to someone else.
- Try a new recipe – with parental permission, of course.
- Play charades.
- Camp in the backyard.
- Go fishing.
- Learn one outdoor survival skill.
- Play a board game. Checkers is a good one!
- Clean out your closet – donate unwanted items to a local ministry.
- Play Sudoku.
- Do some bird watching and write down what species you see.
- Draw your family tree.
- Play with sidewalk chalk.
- Shoot hoops.
- Throw a Frisbee.
- Make your own playdough.
- Invent a new game.
- Create your own scavenger hunt.
- Work a crossword.
- Draw a portrait of someone.
- Campout in the living room.
- Dress up like your favorite hero or book character.
- Fly a kite. (Make your own kite?)
- Write a poem.
- Do a few extra chores around the house … just because.
- Learn to use a compass.
- Cook a meal with your family.
- Climb a tree.
- Make a card for someone you love.
- Learn a life skill such as changing a tire, sewing a button, and so on…
- Write a story and illustrate it.
- Visit your local farmers market.
- Pick a bouquet of wildflowers.
- Get a blanket, lie down, and watch the clouds!
- Build with blocks.
- Learn to play an instrument.
- Play flashlight tag.
- Learn to tie knots.
- Make a craft for someone using recycled materials.
- Play with your pet.
- Throw a baseball.
- Invite a friend over.
- Work a puzzle.
- Reorganize your room.
- Take a nap in the hammock.
- Have a tea party with someone.
- Have a campfire.
- Make s’mores!
- Re-read a favorite book.
- Draw a cartoon.
- Play 20 Questions.
- Start a rock collection.
- Make homemade lemonade – not from a can!
- Dance.
- Play dominoes.
- Throw water balloons.
- Go to your local park.
- Memorize a few of your favorite scriptures.
- Perform a science experiment.
- Play cards.
- Paint a flowerpot.
- Pot a flower.
- Ask your parents to tell you an important story about your family history.
- Make your own restaurant – at home!
- Visit a free local museum or attraction.
- Make shadow puppets.
- Learn how to mix the primary colors to make a rainbow.
- Interview a grandparent or another relative about their life growing up.
- Pretend you are a spy.
- Write a song.
- Volunteer for a day or a week – at your church, a food pantry, or local ministry.
- Learn basic first aid.
- Go stargazing … you might even see a meteor!
- Perform a secret act of kindness for a friend or neighbor.
- Learn how to bake a loaf of bread.
- Draw a map of your room, house, yard, or neighborhood.
- Have a sword fight – with pool noodles.
- Visit your parent’s workplace for a day – only with permission of course.
- Catch lightening bugs.
- Start a journal or sketchbook.
- Watch a sunrise.
- Enjoy a sunset.
- Blow bubbles.
- Collect something – seashells, stamps, buttons, marbles…
- Clean up trash around your neighborhood.
- Make a collage.
- Learn the location of all 50 states and label a map.
- Make homemade mini-pizzas.
- Have a bicycle or tricycle race.
- Build something with nothing but toothpicks and marshmallows.
And last, but of course not least…
Good job.. Awesome ideas