It's here! SUMMER! Beach towels, sandboxes, sprinkler play...and more than a few complaints of "Mom, I'm bored!" from the peanut gallery.
This week I invite you to post your ideas for helping kids come up with healthy and creative ways to spend the happy days of summer. Leave your links below!
As for the Dryer family, we've developed a few ideas to ward off the summer blahs.
At the beginning of each summer, I sit down with the kids and make a list of every possible thing they could do. Everything. Every toy, every board game, every make-believe play is listed separately. Then I post the list in a central location. When I can tell they're getting restless, I send them to list. Works like a charm.
If it doesn't, I remind them that if they can't find something to occupy their time, I will pull from Mom's List Of Horrible Chores for them to do. That one really does work like a charm.
One of the funniest little games the boys have developed recently--on their own!--is a gargling contest. They go out in the backyard with a tall glass of water and work on who can gargle the longest, the silliest, the loudest, etc. You wouldn't believe how long they'd spend on this. Since no one has drowned so far, I'm considering this a success.
Give us your ideas! Works-For-Me Wednesday guidelines can be found here.
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I can't wait to read everyone's tips, because my girls are having a rough time already! Seems like all their friends' grandmothers decided to visit at the same time, so nobody has time to play.
I'll have to tell them about the gargling thing, Shannon-sounds fun!
Posted by: Mandy | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:06 PM
I use the "If you can't find something to do, I have some jobs you could work on" too. :) Somehow they're never interested....
Posted by: Barbara H. | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:12 PM
Ooops, I forgot about this themed edition this week. Sorry, mine is a bit different. Hope that's okay.
I love your list idea and the gargling contest sounds fun. :)
Posted by: Overwhelmed With Joy! | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:13 PM
I can't wait to read everyone's tips! I know I'll need them this summer!
Posted by: Lynnae | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:19 PM
I so can't wait to get all the tips from this week's I'm Bored Edition. What a great idea!!!
I'm all over finding fun things to help create the wonderful summertime childhood memories all kids deserve to have. :)
Love the gargling thing ... I know my boys would have a blast with that ... or should I say they WILL have a blast with that.
Have a great summer!
Posted by: An Iowa Mom | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:32 PM
Excellent topic, one I'm thrilled to see and could really use.
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 12:25 AM
Great idea re the list Shannon.
Ta for that
Posted by: Mummymac | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 03:35 AM
Lots of creative ideas--thanks!
Posted by: Carrie | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 07:08 AM
Pretty sure I posted mine too late, but thanks for the great ideas. Looking forward to participating each week.
Posted by: Jill | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 07:21 AM
Love th list idea-
Posted by: Dolly Acosta | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 07:36 AM
I'm cheating and offering a tip for a poor overworked bored with her kids mom! Blessings...
Posted by: Ellen B. | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 07:37 AM
A gargling contest?? Definitely boys! :-)
Posted by: momrn2 | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Hmm, "Mom's List Of Horrible Chores" I need one of those. :)
Posted by: Toni | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 08:48 AM
I'm excited to come back this evening and read everyone else's ideas! Mine really isn't that original. But it works - at the moment.
Posted by: ThoughtfulMom | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 09:39 AM
We were usually flat broke, so my mom came up with a summer-full of worthwhile and fun activities that cost little or nothing to do - and a few that actually earned us a little here and there!
Posted by: Clemntine | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Love this idea. I forgot to put next to my name what my topic was. Ooops.
Posted by: Connie | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Wow...I need to make one of those lists...laundry is going to be #1!!!
Posted by: Karen L | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Thank you for this Works for Me summer edition. Your idea is great! And I will have all the other ideas to refer to throughout the summer :-)
Posted by: Maine Mom | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Gargling--lots of possible gross noises. Plenty of mess potential. Really goofy. Plus if they learn how it is helpful if they are ill and need to do salt water gargles. Sounds like a winner to me!!! I will have to suggest that.
I have the work list for a boredom buster too.
As always, thanks for hosting.
Posted by: Joyful Days | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 11:02 AM
I LOVE your ideas!!! I'm going to have to keep a list of everyones I read. Mine is kind of along the same lines with playing, etc. only using those admit-one tickets.
Posted by: Spice | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 11:09 AM
I've heard of burping contests, but never gargling, LOL! Kudos for such creativity. I'll have to add this to my repertoire of "if all else fails...just add water" fun. ThanX for hosting another great WFMW. :-)
Posted by: MrsX | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 01:21 PM
These are all great... I'll have to save them for when our Love Bug (and hopefully future children) get bigger! Thanks again for doing this. I love WFMW!
Posted by: ABC | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Gargling! Love it! Someone earlier commented that it must be a boy thing...well, I think my girls will LOVE this suggestion. Should I be ashamed at their uncouth upbringing?
Posted by: Ann Kroeker | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 03:46 PM
LOL! Typical boys...how wonderful! I'm happy that my kids' favorite toys still consist mainly of sticks, dirt, bubbles, and army men.
Posted by: Faerylandmom | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Great idea - I'll try to remember the lists when the time comes for our little one. I think my husbnad and I would like the gargling contest ourselves!
Posted by: Joo | Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Great idea!! I will need to check out everyone's list.
I am a teacher, and trust me my "teacher brain" is always on the prowl for fun ideas. I also just posted a ton of fun ideas. Beware thou they sneak in learning, but don't worry the kids will never know, they will be having so much fun!!
Posted by: Sandy | Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 07:13 AM
We had a lot of fun!
Posted by: Pudellvr | Friday, June 08, 2007 at 09:54 AM
I am a dad, and also a teacher, who gets to stay home for the summer with my 2 girls, 6 and 3. In looking through the links above, most (if not all) seem to be written and added by moms. As a dad, I just wanted to say that I have taken tons of great ideas from the list, and I plan to implement a bunch of them soon, and hopefully my girls will have a super-fun summer. Thanks a ton!
Posted by: Tom | Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 10:55 PM