Harry Potter had the sorting hat. Katniss Everdeen had the reaping. I give you the Boredom Busters Idea Jar! This is an activity and plan-for-the-day in one! Kids will love it…and parents will too because it brings an end to the question “Mom…what are we going to do today?…” during school breaks. Whatever boredom buster you pick is the activity du jour!
This activity was previously published on Parent Club but I thought it timely to bring back – because it is a fantastic summer boredom buster!
You will need:
- Jar (recycle a clean jam jar or pasta sauce jar!)
- Boredom Buster ideas (see printable pdf below)
- Scissors
- Using scissors cut out Boredom Buster ideas (Free printable below or make your own)
- Fold Boredom Buster ideas in half
- Place in jar
Everyday during school break (or P.D. Day) have one child close their eyes and pick one Boredom Buster idea. Whatever is picked is what you do for the day (no whining or fighting! – everyone gets a turn picking an idea on different days – and this activity teaches kids to be open to new experiences).
Boredom Buster ideas
Kids can take a regular sheet of computer paper (just as long as it isn’t different coloured paper because then kids would figure out which colours to choose to get the activity they wanted) and write up their own Boredom Buster ideas. Make your own or use this FREE PRINTABLE pdf of Boredom Buster Ideas (yes, it’s the pdf of that image above) which offers 10 different Boredom Busters.
Some ideas for your Boredom Busters Idea Jar…
- Host a play date (that way kids can entertain themselves with friends)
- Family field trip (this could be something free like going to a library or something paid like an indoor trampoline park)
- Movie day (I have some suggestions for 8 Great Kids Movies)
- Baking (my Easy Chocolate Trifle recipe is kid-friendly!)
- Arts n’ Crafts (yes, I have a post or two on crafts for kids)
- Science & Adventure (from mentos & coke to a scavenger hunt)
- Board games (twister anyone?)
- Dance party (always a favourite here!)
You could even pick from your Boredom Busters Idea Jar the night before and that way you have a plan for the next day (we are big planners here and the kids always want to know “What are we doing tomorrow?”).
A Boredom Busters Idea Jar takes the guess work out of activities for school breaks.
Great idea, this would also work during summer break!
summer – winter – is an all-year-round activity
a fantastic idea, I don’t doubt that kids would love adding this bit of adventure to their day.
Adventure is a great way to put it!
What a great idea…definitely going to use this! Thanks!
Do give it a try!
Good idea. Will try this on my boys!
I like that I can prep in advance yet still get a surprise. and the kids like it too.
This would solve a lot of problems
I’m starting a jar here too.
Thanks for the idea! I know that my grandkids would love to have wee adventures and this would keep everything exciting!
thanks
This is a great idea, we started a jar like this last week!