"Mom, I have nothing to do... " An unboring list of responses

The Un-Boring List

·                read a book 

o   (having a reading chart on the fridge is encouraging - kids can list how many books they've read.  20 books [or more, or less] earns a prize: ice cream, or trip to the playground)

·                build a fort with blankets

·                design your own calendar

·                invent your own day names and month names for your calendar

·                go see if ____ can play

·                play or make a board game

·                ride your bike/skateboard/scooter

·                use some old plank and cement blocks to make a (low) balancing beam

·                use the same wood and blocks to make a racetrack for toys

·                use the same wood and blocks to make an outside fort - bring your toys out there

·                run around the house/yard/garage 20 times

·                design a workout program: 10 situps, 5 jumping jacks, 5 push ups

·                make a tiny garden in the backyard (plant seeds from weeds)

·                draw a picture (drawing prompts here)

·                make a scavenger hunt for your siblings/friends

·                write a story on the computer

·                write a story in your own journal

·                decorate a notebook to be your own journal

·                be a photographer and take pictures with the tablet/phone/camera

·                make scenes with your stuffed animals and take pictures of them to make a story

·                take pictures of things in the house and make a PowerPoint book about your home

·                take pictures of leaves up close

·                make a video of your toys acting out a story

·                have a tea party with friends or all of your toys

·                make something in the kitchen

o   (depending on age - e.g. banana pudding [mashed bananas], crackers and peanut butter, cheese and apples, sandwich, even baking if responsible enough!)

·                collect rocks and put them in this cool old yogurt container,

·                collect bugs and put them in these old plastic containers with leaves and air holes

·                play desert island

·                play dress-up (ask for access to parents’ wardrobe if you can!)

·                make treasure maps for your friends and family to find hidden things

·                make "potions" using an old kitchen bowl, water from the hose, and all the plants, sticks, rocks you can find in the yard

·                use old cardboard box to make a dollhouse or a puppet theater

·                grow some beans (you will need: dry beans, bag, wet paper towel, tape, window) 

·                make a chart to track the growth of your bean plants..."

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