Oh, sweet friends, we are only on the fourth full day of summer, and I already find myself up to my knees in bugspray, sunscreen, chlorine and grass clippings. Summer has exploded into my house with a vengeance, and I couldn't be any happier about it.
As much as I love the break from the school-year rat race, though, you and I both know that all the home time occasionally presents a challenge. In particular, there's that word my kids use, the word that makes me cringe like crazy:
BORED.
"If you're bored, you're boring!" I shout back cheerfully. They just love that.
In today's themed edition, I'd love to hear from you alll about how you combat this issue in your home. Give us all your general outlook on the subject, or provide us with a list of specific modes of entertainment you use--whatever you'd like.
Around here, I've written before that we keep a list posted all summer. It's a list of every imaginable non-electronic diversion the kids and I can think of. We list out every toy, every board game, all imaginary play, EVERYthing, so that when the kids get twitchy I can point them to the list.
This year, I'm adding another list. *wicked laugh*
If the first list doesn't get them, then we go to Mom's List Of Things You Can Do To So You Won't Be Bored. They include things like folding towels, picking up your room, scrubbing the shower, washing the floor of the garage with a toothbrush, etc.
Oh, yes ma'am.
What are your best tips for helping the kids engaged and busy and happy over the summer? I can't wait to read your ideas. I may print them all out and wallpaper the kitchen with them.
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1. Blue Castle
2. Capturing Today (Summer with 3 little girls)
3. MG (Cheap Everyday Fun)
4. The Diaper Diaries
5. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (WooHoo for Summer!)
6. Joy @ Five J\'s (Inside fun!)
7. We are THAT family
8. The Diaper Diaries (road trip)
9. Deb (wading pool)
10. Life At The Circus(car rides)
11. Land of Lovings - Art Direction
12. The Bargain Shopper Lady (Using Water Activities)
13. Org Junkie (beach the easy way!)
14. Domestic Spaz (Geocaching and more!)
15. Shanda (narnia, nim, winn dixie,and more)
16. For Cheap Sake (Summer Movies)
17. Smellyann (entertaining the kids)
18. Becky (Free Entertainment)
19. BundyMum (Start Here!)
20. Liftime Typepad Discount- Fussy
21. Many Little Blessings (Painting Canvas Bags)
22. little princess chronicles (a whole summer of fun)
23. Stretch Mark Mama (Geek List)
24. Lady Why (Homemade Bible School, Frogs, and more!)
25. Happy to be at Home (Life Skills Fun!)
26. Blissfully Domestic (Summer Playgroups)
27. NerdMom
28. Daily Mish Mash (Ultimate Boredom Buster)
29. Annette @ More Lucy Than June (Preschooler Summer Fun)
30. What About Mom? (Encouragement for Hillary Clinton)
31. The Happy Housewife (Curing Summer Boredom)
32. Untraditional home (work they want to do)
33. TongguMomma (Dogs, Kids: Boredom Same)
34. Staci at Writing and Living (Dangerous Book for Boys, Daring Book for Girls)
35. A Simple Walk (Boredom-Busting Blogging)
36. Dawn-Sweet Pea cakes, etc. Blog (lots of entertainment)
37. NerdFamily Things
38. Cyndy ("Working" at character)
39. Blog Fresno
40. Mrs Fussypants Frump Fighting Manifesto!
41. Mrs. Organic (resources)
42. Wooden Porch (Crafts/Summer Activities!)
43. Karla (Easy Decorative painting for your walls)
44. Lisa-BlessedwithGrace(fun with water)
45. Kerri (Idea for girls)
46. Nicol (3 months worth of ideas)
47. Jinxy (Indoor Fun)
48. Beth @ The Natural Mommy (Make-shift Whiteboard)
49. jen (field trips & routine)
50. Christa @ No End in Site (multi-tasking / no more boredom jar)
51. Suzanne :: Adventures in Daily Living ::
52. Britni (What To Do In a Car Accident)
53. Amy @ Jonathan\'s Journey (long list for young kids)
54. Cindy (create a new chore)
55. Duckabush Blog (A silly list)
56. PASS THE TORCH (boredom busters)
57. Melanie @ One La Costa Mom (Cheap model kits for boys)
58. nottryingforaboy (run some laps!)
59. A juggling Mum (Foam Shapes)
60. Homemaker\'s Cottage- a corny way to cure the boredom blues
61. LaRee @ Broad Horizons
62. citystreams (Air Tents)
63. Shanda (our "green" summer)
64. Green Baby Guide (Homemade Finger Paint)
65. Hotomom (Homemade Bubble Blower)
66. sara l (baking powder in a pinch)
67. Amy (Letterboxing)
68. Smockity Frocks (Pack It All In)
69. Julie (2-Liter Treasure Hunt)
70. Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt (Coloring book alternative/keeping preschool kids
71. The Apron Queen (Free Hula Lessons!)
72. Margalit (Slip-n-Slide)
73. Just Pure Lovely (photos of my suggestions)
74. Michelle at Scribbit
75. OW (list of activities for small children)
76. Andrea (movie snacks)
77. Amy @ Because I Must... (Improving Your Life-Drawing Skills)
78. Pufferfish Diaries (summer camp, only at HOME!)
79. Sarah (Summer Disipline Consistancy Help)
80. Robin (scavenger hunt)
81. The I\'m Bored Chore List (SheMom)
82. Joanna @ OneKrustyMama (Outside Play)
83. Amber - Bringing Good Home (10 Things To Do)
84. Karla
85. Dawn
86. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home (50 Ideas for Family Fun!)
87. The Pumkin Patch (Games and Crafts)
88. Annette\'s Birthday is Today!-MoreLucyThanJune
89. Building project w/ pretzels
90. Runningamuck (bustin\' out da big guns of boredom)
91. Sarah (Arts & Crafts)
92. Elizabeth (fun list)
93. Garibay Soup (Picture Scavenger Hunt)
94. Audra Krell (Bored Games)
95. col @ gigablonde (teach the kids to do an indian head massage on you!)
96. Char (Oops, I didn\'t know there was a theme!)
97. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home (50 Ideas for Family Fun!) Correct Link!!!
98. Julie (Digital I Spy)
99. Lee (ABC activity)
100. Marina Berryman (boredom is contagious)
101. The Pile I\'m Standing In ("painting" the house)
102. Owlhaven (summer journal)
103. Proud SAHM
104. Happy Momma (Homemade Fun)
105. Kirsty @ Momedy -how to ORGANIZE all the fun ideas
106. Homemaker Barbi (What to do with kids\' art)
107. Tina in Thailand( TV-less fun)
108. "Mom, I\'m Bored" Website!
109. Motherhood For Dummies
110. Donna
111. Laane (housecleaning and art)
112. Horatio Hornblower
113. The Crafty Pumpkin ( Chalk Games)
114. Janet (keeping the kids BUSY so you can cook DINNER)
115. Simple Mom (Homemade Play Doh)
116. Top Ten list of FREE activities to do with TODDLERS
117. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (repost re: homemade sidewalk paint)
118. Will at Home (Get a job as a hacker)
119. jennwa (summer snack for kids)
120. Brenda (theme weeks)
121. Shalee - Putting Kids in their Happy Place
122. Piseco (Make Magical Mystical Bracelets)
123. Laura (advice for working wives & moms)
124. Angela- Summer Break activities
125. jodi (splish, splash & measure)
126. Mothers Precious Gems (How to make cute card stock gift box)
127. Julie (Summer Days Countdown)
128. Like I Was Saying (101 Ideas)
129. Stephanie (Planning Projects Reduces Boredom)
130. Joyful Days (Make Sure What Is Really Being Said)
131. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (10 fun things!)
132. Judy (50 Days Of Summer Fun)
133. Jen (A Good Cup of Coffee)
134. Penny Raine fighting summer boredom
135. The Apron Queen **Splashes of Fun!**
136. Joy of Frugal Living (library summer reading programs)
137. Lori (Regal Movies)
138. WORKING MOM SOLUTIONS!
139. Mary@notbefore7 (picnic basket)
140. Teresa @ A Life At Home (Summer family project time!)
141. Elle--A Complete Thought
142. Mrs. Happy Housewife (Boredom-free Zone)
143. Miche@Coordinated Chaos(no more "Im bored" rainy day activity)
144. Kim (Park Days) |
145. Robin @ HOW (Splinter Removal)
146. FishMama (Camp Wannalaffalotta Summer Playday)
147. GettysburgMom- Alpacas
148. Vickie@PursuingSimplicity
149. Mother Hen (Inexpensinve Math Instruction)
150. Kim (Motivation advice needed)
151. Tara (schedule and list)
152. Lisa K
153. emily (books & fireworks)
154. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum
155. Mommin\' It Up! (water play!)
156. a suburban housewife (I\'m bored!)
157. Tanna (son swiffers)
158. Mother Hen (Treasure Hunt)
159. Ames (bugs, books, and mud)
160. Lisa (Blow Up Pools)
161. MrsScotsman (Free Movies at Regal Cinemas)
162. Abby (math fun@ the pool)
163. Building The Ark (On the Air!)
164. Brandi (House Points)
165. Tons of Sons ~ at home sanity with 5 blessings
166. Frills Fluff and Trucks (hunting for TREASURE!)
167. Colleen (make your own stickers)
168. Kim @ Sprinkles on My Ice Cream (Chalkboard)
169. Stacy (Cloth diapers)
170. The Not Quite Crunchy Parent ( Kid friendly garden)
171. Mandy (Old School Summer Fun)
172. Val - Punishment Essays
173. IfOnlyIHadSuperPowers (roll up chalk boards)
174. Thia (assorted)
175. Christine (killing a summer - knock its bloody head off!)
176. Cyndi (Kid Concoctions)
177. Candace @ A Garden of Blessings (cloth diapers)
178. Kisses of Sunshine: 7 FREE things to do for Summer Fun
179. Jenny (Physical Labor)
180. Martie\'s House (INEXPENSIVE ideas from Mom of 9)
181. Katie (not licking dog ears!)
182. Mom24--magic cure
183. LFTV-(No Fail Solution)
184. Jeni (picnic "blanket")
185. Llama Momma (Storybook stew)
186. Nichole (the power of distraction)
187. Semicolon (June Celebrations Links and Birthdays)
188. anya* (kids cookin\')
189. Valerie at Home (The List and The Art)
190. Tiffany (summer reading program)
191. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Makin your own goo, ediable play dough, and f
192. Elisa (Being Free)
193. Elena (movie list and summer homeschool)
194. April(check locally for activities)
195. Wani (tumbling mats)
196. Kirstin: a few ideas and a recipe
197. Ginny
198. Millicent--Free Entertainment!
199. Janelle (googly eyes)
200. Jill (Make-a-Kitchen)
201. 3cookieday
202. {Simply A Musing Blog} - Cheap Digital Fun!
203. La Vida Dulce (Photography Project)
204. AMusingMom (Super Summer Challenge)
205. Andrea (help outside)
206. GP in Montana
207. Mamacita (10 fun activities)
208. three time mommy (academic activities)
209. Marlo (Berry Picking with pictures)
210. Jenn (picture list)
211. Tara@Not So Perfect (learningcards)
212. De\'Etta @Choosing Joy
213. Becky P (Library Fun & Bonus Tip)
214. Jenn (picture list, fixed link)
215. Amyswandering (watermelon fun, scavenger hunt)
216. Marcy-The Glamorous Life
217. SAHMmy Says (Free Summer Fun!)
218. Sonshine(boredom cure jar)
219. Jacquelyn@Because I Said So! (CONTEST to cure summer boredom!)
220. Sandy@Jesus and Dark Chocolate(LOTS of FUN ideas!)
221. Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Summer Reading and more)
222. Family Focused Fun (Fun Camp at Home Ideas!)
223. Kristin("part of the solution")
224. World\'sGreatestMommy (Kid Centers At Home)
225. Momof11 (Keeping Track of Keeping Busy)
226. Motherhood For Dummies - Movie Series
227. Abbi@Proverbs31Living (Mom I\'m bored edition)
228. AreWeThereYetMom(Science,Spanish, and Reading)
229. Mommy Menagerie (fun and free boring busters)
230. Luanne (boredom? Advanced Eye Application)
231. Amanda (too much TV; TV whiners?)
232. Nina (scrapbooks)
233. Fiddledeedee (TULLE: So pretty, versatile, and cheap!)
234. Franticallysimple (treasure hunting)
235. diXymiss (play w/ food!)
236. Trying Traditional (photo list of fun)
237. Rebekah (play-doh goodness)
238. Fuschia (Simple Summer)
239. Christine (Lily of the Valley) $1 Father\'s Day Gift
240. Aunt LoLo
241. Tips & Treasures (Water)
242. Amy Beth (Amazing Spa Kits for Girls of All Ages!)
243. Who Needs McDreamy
244. Megret
245. Erica Burgan (breakfast on the go)
246. Jami (outdoor fun)
247. Mama Looking Up (Duct Tape Bonanza)
248. Kris
249. Free 2 Be Frugal (have I got a site for you!)
250. Motherhood and Potatoes (Banana Boats)
251. Texastanya (Keep Em Busy)
252. KD @ A Bit Squirrelly Free Water Fun
253. Amnda (Straws & Masking Tape)
254. Carly (Reading Fun)
255. Melanie @ build wisely (whistle while you work)
256. Lynley (Summer Fun for Toddlers)
257. Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First (Baking!)
258. Amy at Prettybabies
259. Kim Priestap (put him to work)
260. Rhen @ YESTHEYAREALLMINE
261. Lisa (shaving cream prints)
262. Ann Kroeker (philosophy of boredom & several summer solutions)
263. 3 P\'s in a Pod ~ Cheap Help & Camp
264. Dani (let them cut coupons!)
265. Queen of the Click (15 things to do this summer)
266. Amy Halleran (Finding Motivation to Run)
267. Carly (Reading Fun)
268. Amanda (Scavenger Hunt)
269. Ang(Shaving Cream Fun)
270. Kara (garden fun)
271. The Thrifty Blogger (free movies and more!)
272. Kristen M. (construction paper puppets)
273. Jen (summer sanity savers)
274. Amy (worry-free slime)
275. aunt mommy (holiday gifts during hurricanes?)
276. Beverly
277. Kari (My Handy Activities List)
278. Katie (Advice from a Teacher)
279. Bahama Shores Mama (Kids Rule Week)
280. CarolinaMama ("Summer Centers")
281. Loral (4 ideas)
282. PurpleFrangipani (EasyCraftStamps)
283. Heidi ( Writing a Family Story)
284. Julie Stiles Mills (redneck pool)
285. Lyn @Frugal Weight Watcher (Earning "screen" time)
286. sara m. (Letting Daddy Do It!)
287. Lana (Grow Something) |
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Links are now closed to prevent the spammers from ruining our fun. Thanks for playing along--please join us again next week!
This is a treasure trove, it's like that pile of treasures that comes out of the junk drawer once in a while... can't wait to see what's inside!
Now we need one of those cute buttons so we can send our blog readers to this great list! :)
Posted by: Cathy | Mommy Motivation | Friday, June 06, 2008 at 03:51 PM