If "I'm Booorrred" is an all to familiar phrase around your house this summer, you'll probably want to take advantage of our summer schedule. Ideas to keep children busy, stop whining and create life-long memories and traditions your children will look forward to. From LDS Magazine.
DAY 1
Have a pajama day. Start the summer right by letting the kids relax. Make your first day a fun family activity. Make a favorite breakfast watch cartoons, and enjoy a day of relaxation.
DAY 2
Have a treasure hunt. Kids always enjoy searching for hidden treasure-especially if something sweet is involved. Hide the clues and include a box of their favorite treats at the end. If it's a particularly hot day, "X" marks the spot on the Popsicles in your freezer.
DAY 3
Grow a garden. Have your kids be in charge of a plant that they water and care for daily. Not only will it be something to do on a regular basis, but they'll get to experience the joy of watching something grow.
DAY 4
Hold a family reading competition. Make summertime learning fun! Challenge each other to read a certain amount of books before the summer ends, either aloud and together or individually, and then reward yourselves with a fun trip or other family activity if you succeed. Make a simple chart to show progress.
DAY 5
Make a summer to-do-list. Have your kids cover a poster board with all the things they want to do this summer, and have them put a box next to each idea so they can check it off when finished.
DAY 6
Learn a new skill. Ever wanted to ballroom dance, do yoga, or learn to decorate a fancycake? Take a class as a family! Many are available through community colleges and private studios.
DAY 7
Create water bottle holders. Crafts are always a great way to keep kids occupied, and this one is perfect for helping with your summer outings. Go to http://www.crafts.kaboose.com/ to find this craft and other great crafts.
DAY 8
Host a car wash. Let your kids choose if they want to offer their services free to your neighborhood, or if they think they are professional enough to charge money. Let the kids save their earnings for a fun trip or activity.
DAY 9
Buy a YMCA or Community Center Pass. Kids enjoy having the freedom to learn and try different things, and a pass will definitely give them the opportunity to do that. Your younger kids will enjoy attending one of their many day camps, which will give you free time to relax and enjoy your summer, too.
DAY 10
Fly a kite. This has been a family favorite since before Mary Poppins. Give it a little twist by having your kids make their own kites.
DAY 11
Knit bandages for leprosy victims. Encourage your kids toserve by teaching them how to knit or crochet bandages for leporsy victims. Plenty of Internet sites give instructions for knitting and directions for donating, such as http://www.leprosybandages.blogspot.com/
DAY 12
Just add water. Take traditional games or sports and give them a wet, summery twist. Try water balloon volleyball-you can fling the balloons over the net with towels. Or try sponge tag or water limbo with a garden hose.
DAY 13
Take a library trip. - Everyone enjoys a trip to the library, and there's always something going on. Libraries offer many programs and activities during the week that are fun for kids as young as three.
DAY 14
Make frozen treats. Frozen fruit smoothies are simple and nutritious ways to get creative with your kids. Blend together yogurt and milk and your choice of frozen fruit. Or find a recipe on the internet for ice cream in a bag.
DAY 15
Grow a sunflower. Sunflowers are fun to plant because they sprout in about a week, even though it takes a while for them to reach their full height. Kids can plant sunflowers in a circle, which can become a hide-out as the sunflowers grow.
DAY 16
Have your kids start a journal. Set aside ten minutes each day for them to write in their journals, and keep up on it through the whole summer.
DAY 17
Petcam. Have your child follow around your dog or cat with a camera (or video camera, if it's an older child) and see the world from your pet's point of view. Maybe even download it to you tube.
DAY 18
Be chef for a day. Teach your kids to cook a meal. It can be as simple as a peanut butter sandwich for young children, or a casserole or roast for older children.
DAY 19
Hot an olympics. Get together with other parents and create a Summer Olympics for all the kids on your block. The kids can help create different races and events; let them spend a few days "training" and then let the games begin!
DAY 20
Grow butterflies. For $20, your kids can watch the life cycle of a butterfly in your own home. Go go http://www.insectlore.com/ to purchase a live butterfly garden.
DAY 21
Make an "anything goes" lunch. For just one day, invite your family to have anything and everything they want for lunch. From Oreos and pancakes to potato chips and marshmallows, they'll think you're the coolest parent in the neighborhood.
DAY 22
Play "American Idol". Let your kids spend hours performing their own songs and routines to their favorite tunes. Record them and watch them for the next family home evening.
DAY 23
Play with bubbles. There are many ways to get fun and creative that go beyond buying bottles at the store. Let you kids make their own bubbles (dishwasher soap and water) and wants (pipe cleaners, coat hangers). Also using powdered tempera paints, dish detergent, and liquid starch, you can make colorful bubbles.
DAY 24
Hold a no-electricity day. At this point in the summer, you might think your kids' brains have already melted from TV rays. Pull the plugs on all your electronics and drag out the board games, have a picnic in your backyard and spend some time together the old-fashioned way. Use candles at night instead of overhead lights.
DAY 25
Enjoy fresh fruit. Feast on the bounty of summer by picking fruit right from the field. Different fruits will be available at different times durining the summers, so do your homework. Check http://www.pickyourown.org/ to see if there is a kid-friendly farm in your area.
DAY 26
Use workbooks. Your kids may groan, but it's good to keep those growing brains working. Many stores sell workbooks that help kids stay on top of their math and reading. Have them do a page a day and reward them with their favorite treat when they finish a book.
DAY 27
Attend a concert in the park. many cities have a series of free concerts during the summer months, and they often feature many different kinds of music. So grab a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy!
DAY 28
Go fish. Grab some fishing poles and head for the nearest lake or beach. Even if you don't catch anything, you can still enjoy some time in the great outdoors.
DAY 29
Live outside for a day. The fresh air does the mind good, and enjoying a cool summer breeze can be great when compared with a hot house. When night comes, pull out the sleeping bags and get cozy. See if a friend has a portable fire pit you can use for roasting s'mores.
DAY 30
Hold a family science fair. Have your kids come up with a simple science project they would like to complete over the day, week or month. Check out all-science-fair-projects.com for ideas.
DAY 31
Visit a museum. Check your local museum's website before hand to see what special collections they will have available during the summer. Special free days are at Balboa Park Museums.
DAY 32
Go ice skating. Skating (at an indoor rink, of course) can be a good way to cool off in the heat. It's good exercise, too.
DAY 33
Have a cupcake day. There are millions of ways to decorate cup cakes and most are pretty simple. Your kids will have fun making this cute and tasty treat. Visit cupcake-decorating-ideas.com for inspiration. Take a few anonymously to another family.
DAY 34
Start a collection. Now that you've seen a museum's fascinating collections, have your kids choose something they are interested in, research it, and begin collecting.
DAY 35
Organize a block party. People often choose to move during the summer, so there's a good chance at least one new family will move into the neighborhood. Why not host a potluck block party and give everyone a chance to get to know one another better?
DAY 36
Help out. Make your neighborhood sparkle by picking up trash that others have left after the block party.
DAY 37
Have a garage sale. Have your kids gather all the toys they don't want. Make sure they get to keep the money that comes from the toys. You can participate, too, and get rid of anything you aren't really using anymore.
DAY 38
Stargaze. Warm summer nights are perfect for stargazing. Go to stardate.org for lots of tips and a weekly calendar of celestial events.
DAY 39
Have a photography contest. Give your children a disposable camera and let them take pictures all week of all their new discoveries and activities. At the end of the week, have a family friend decide which pictures are the most creative and hand out prizes.
DAY 40
Go on a scavenger hunt. Create a list of objects to find and then go to a public place, like a park. Split into teams and see who can be the first to find everything on the list. List where you found the things so you have evidence for them.
DAY 41
Organize a pet parade. Invite everyone and their dog to this activity! Have all the neighbor kids or friends dress up their animals. Then have everyone march around the neighborhood. (make sure you separate cats and dogs!). You probably wnat to have more parental supervision than just you for this activity to make sure things don't get too wild.
DAY 42
Participate in a race. Races are common in the summer, and the days are long enough to give you ample time to prepare. Even if you've never run a race before, make it a goal to complete one this summer. Your whole family can participate in the training, making it a summer of health. It can also bring you closer together as you all work toward a common goal!
DAY 43
Make pinatas. Pinatas are easy to make with some paper-mache, balloons, and tissue paper, look up simple instructions online. Your kids are bound to love this one.
DAY 44
Wading. All kids love taking a trip to the closest river, stream or beach. Wading creates hours of fun. Or just let them hop all the way in.
DAY 45
Paint crazy. Tie up large canvases or old bed sheets, buy some nontoxic paint, and let thekids express their creativity with paint brushes or their hands.
DAY 46
Read alound as a family. As part of your summer reading competition (see day four), use today as a day when you tell each other about the book you're reading and then reaad an excerpt aloud to each other.
DAY 47
Attend a festival. During the summer months, festivals happen all the time. Find one and spend the day learning about the food, crafts, history, music, and dance of another culture. If you check your local paper, you're sure to find a great cultural event to attend. Also check the calendar of events for that months activities.
DAY 48
Summer clean. Yes, your kids might throw a fit about his day, but working is good for their character. Assign them a specific room and have them clean it. The level of cleaning will depend on their age. Reward them with ice cream sandwiches for a job well done.
DAY 49
Have a talent show. Invite all the kids in your neighborhood to showcase their talents in your backyard Invite parents and assign each to bring a snack, and have refreshments after the performances.
DAY 50
Make razzle-dazzle shirts. Rhinestone shirts are becoming popular again, usually accompanied by some sort of colorful design. Have your kids grab a plain shirt and help them decorate with rhinestones or crystals and fabric paint. Look for pattern ideas online or buy iron on rhinestones.
DAY 51
Got to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park. Annual tickets are very reasonable and will get you in for free the rest of the year. Take a day to appreciate and learn about some of the unique animals you don't get to see in everyday life. Don't overlook how fortunate we are to live so close to these wonderful parks. Both have so much too offer.
DAY 52
Host a game show. Pick a game show that you really like (Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, Jeopardy!) and create a simplified version.
DAY 53
Go horseback riding. Chances are your kids would do anything to cowboy up. Make their dream come true and go on a mini adventure. Don't worry about your experience level as most stables have horses and ponies acceptable for beginners.
DAY 54
Go indoor camping. No matter the weather or budget, let your kids go camping-inside. If you have a room large enough, set upthe tent inside. Let the kids put up chairs in a "campfire" circle, eat their meals in the tent, and tell scary stories! Best of all: no mosquitoes.
DAY 55
Enjoy the farmer's bounty. Markets are overflowing with fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables. In summer, you're sure to find perfectly ripened tomatoes, sugar-sweet corn, and delicious watermelon. Go to http://www.localharvest.org/ or http://www.farmersmarket.com/ to find a farmers' market near you.
DAY 56
Make seashell critters. Did you take a vacation to the ocean this year? Have your kids round up the seashells they found and glue googly eyes to them. They can also glue on additional shells to create bodies.
DAY 57
Make a home movie theater. If you have access to a projector, then simply find a bare wall or vinyl fence for either indoor or outdoor viewing. If not, your home TV works just as well. Whichever you choose, be sure to pop plenty of popcorn and treat yourself to movie-theater-sized candy to get the right effect.
DAY 58
Take a day trip. Finda new destination that's only half a tank of gas away! www.tripadvisor.com/tankofgas lets you choose how much gas you want to use on your road trip (quarter, half or full tank) and then gives you suggestions for places to travel.
DAY 59
Tell some tales. Gather around a campfire and tell each other stoires. Encourage your kids' imaginations by letting them tell you fairy tales with a twist and stories they have made up.
DAY 60
Get some drama. Enjoy theater but have trouble keepng the little ones in their seats? During the summer, many community theaters host free, family-friendly performances in parks or other outdoor venues. Just bring a blanket and camp chairs and you'll be set.
DAY 61
Make Salsa. Why not make an easy snack your family will enjoy? Choose your favorite salsa veggies, add some seasonings, mix it all up and you've got a great, healthy treat.
DAY 62
Make homemade lemonade. It's not really summer without this favorite. Heat 3/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small pot until sugar is completely dissolved. Mix in a pitcher with 1 cup of lemon juice and 3 to 4 cups cold water. Serve with sliced lemons for a splash of embellishment.
DAY 63
Have an archaeological dig. Draw fossil images on cardboard, then cut them out and bury them in different parts of your backyard, like a garde, a sandbox, or just loose dirt. Leave a small portion uncovered so your kids will know where to start.
DAY 64
Volunteer at an animal shelter. If your family doesn't have a pet and your kids are animal crazy, they would probably love to take some of the sweet sheter dogs for a walk. Contact your local animal shelter for more information.
DAY 65
Remix your favorite TV show. Have your kids create their own version of their favorite TV show and videotape their performance. Whether its Dora the Explorer, Phineas and Ferb or iCarly, they are sure to get a kick out of the result.
DAY 66
Attend the County Fair. Visiting the county fair is a great event for the whole family. They ususally have carnival rides, games, food, entertainment, competitions, crafts, and displays. It's the perfect way to celebrate your local culture.
DAY 67
Have a theme picnic. Take advantage of the sunshine by eating outdoors, even if it's just in your backyard. You can make things more interesting by having a theme for the food you'll eat, like eating all foods that all begin with the same letter or are the same color.
DAY 68
Play Uno. No matter your age, you will always enjoy this family favorite. Start an Uno tournament that goes all week, complete with tournament bracket and elimination game. The kids will have fun playing with Mom and Dad, and even more fun beating them every now and then.
DAY 69
Scrapbook summer memories. Print out a bunch of your favorite pictures from the summer. Staple five to ten pieces of paper together, give your kids markers, stickers, and construction paper, and let them design their own scrapbook pages. They will love to look back on these pages years later.
DAY 70
Winner takes all. It's time to rack up those points from the summer reading competition. Tally up the number of books and have the winner chose dinner that night.
DAY 71
Have a garden delight dinner. By this time, the garden you started on day three has hopefully become very plentiful. Teach your kids how to make delicious dishes with the veggies they grew themselves, then serve the dishes for dinner.
DAY 72
Play night games. As you reach the end of summer, let your kids have one last hurrah of staying up late. Play family night games unti late and end the night with some hot chocolate.
DAY 73
Make a fort. Every kids wants the chance to make their own space. Choose between letting them create the couch cushion and sheet variety or giving them wood scraps and nails. You'll want to give parental supervision for the latter.
DAY 74
Have a journal day. Remember those journals you started back on Day Sixteen? Have your kids read through them. They will probably laugh at the funny things they have written. Ask them if they would like to share any of their entries with the family.
DAY 75
Play project runway. Give your kids scraps of fabric, newspaper, toilet paper and whatever you think would be suitable material for a fashion show. They have twenty minutes to come up with a fashionable outfit, then model it down a runway complete with music. Have Dad be the judge and come up with an award for each outfit.
DAY 76
Show and tell. Have a family home evening where you share what you've learned this summer. Let them know ahead of time so they can think about it. Maybe you were able to learn a new skill (like we suggested on Day Six) or maybe your kids will share something they learned from one of your outings. Either way, it's great to learn from each other.
DAY 77
Creat a homemade water park. End your summer with a splash - create a slip and slide out of a tarp and hoses, make a waterslide out of a kiddie playgroundslide with a kiddie pool at the end. Add some squirt guns and you are set for some wet fun. Invite some other families over and enjoy some of the homemade lemonade and ice cream you've perfected.
