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Do you need a little inspiration
to keep those two little words, "I'm Bored," out of
your summer? Tired of the same old activities? Try
these ideas to keep your summer full of fun.
1. FAMILY IDEA JAR. Everyone picks
several fun ideas they would like to do over the
summer. Whenever you have a free day, pick one idea
from the jar.
2. CREATE A "MAKE-IT BOX".
Decorate a shoe box or plastic container. Fill with
string, crayons, markers, chalk, paint, scissors,
stickers, paper, etc. Use it to create crafts on a
rainy day.
3. KID’S BACKYARD BBQ. Have kids
plan a menu, invite guests, organize set up and
clean up.
4. VISIT AN AREA CRAFT SHOW that
performs craft demonstrations.
5. TAKE A NATURE SCAVENGER. List
10 specific items to find on your walk ... a small
pinecone, a yellow leaf, and a red berry.
6. FAMILY GAME-A-THON. Everyone
picks his or her favorite board game to play.
7. PLAN A "NO TV" DAY. Play cards,
charades, read, take a walk.
8. VISIT YOUR LIBRARY. Most
libraries have a summer reading program that
encourages reading with incentives.
9. PLAN BALLOON HOCKEY using water
filled balloons instead of a ball or puck. See how
many goals can be scored before the balloon breaks.
10. START A COLLECTION using your
imagination. Collect rocks, shells, coins, stamps,
key chains, thimbles, postcards, fossils, autographs
or buttons.
11. PLAY OLD-FASHIONED GAMES. Kick
the can, monkey in the middle, flashlight tag,
freeze tag, green light, dodge ball.
12. PLAN A SWIM DAY, organize
family and friends to enjoy a day at a local pool.
13. BACKYARD MINIATURE GOLF. Use
boards, bricks, plastic pipe, empty cans, or buckets
to set up a course. Make flags from paper and wooden
dowels rods. Us plastic baseball bats and balls.
14. HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD BOOK OR
TOY SWAP. Each person donates 3 items. Draw names
lottery style, that person picks their choice of one
item. Repeat two more times.
15. SERVICE PROJECT. Perform a
good deed for someone in need ... clothing drive for
the homeless, pull weeds for a church or senior’s
center or provide meals to the homebound.
16. CREATE A CHALK TOWN. Draw
roads, stop signs, gas stations, buildings and
parking lots to use with small cars and trucks.
17. REQUEST TOURIST INFORMATION
from a destination each member of the family would
like to visit.
18. GARAGE SALE HUNT. Teach
children to shop and bargain for items within a
certain amount. Great place to shop for the new
collection.
19. VISIT YOUR CITY’S HIGHLIGHTS.
The zoo, museum, community-built parks, incline or
stadium.
20. ENJOY A BACKWARD LUNCH where
children plan the meal and start with dessert.
21. INVITE FRIENDS TO A COOKIE AND
ICE CREAM BASH. Make a batch or two of no-bake
cookies, serve with scoops of ice cream.
22. DESIGN EDIBLE NECKLACES.
Thread string through large-eyed, plastic needles,
then string popcorn, cereal or candy. Knot and wear.
23. MAKE A SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST.
Have children read advertisements to find the best
buys, then purchase.
24. SODA CAN BOWLING. Rinse 10
empty soda cans, line up in V formation, and use
rubber balls to knock ’em down.
25. CREATE A SUMMER COLLAGE. Use
photos, brochures, postcards, newspapers and
magazines to capture summer memories. Cut and glue
to poster board.
Mary Jo Rulnick, co-creator of
FranticWoman.com, the place where frantic women find
direction, balance and a sparkle of hope, the
do-it-yourself expert, turned her knowledge into a
writing career, through the publication of her
articles and books. She is a feature writer for
Pittsburgh Parent Magazine and a greeting card
writer for Palm Press, Inc. Additionally, Rulnick is
the writer, performer and creator of Woman in
History Productions, a company featuring dramatic
portrayals of historical women’s lives. Visit Mary
Jo: http://www.franticwoman.com
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