When did parents become the cruise director?
It's really OK for kids to be bored sometimes. Kids are so busy these days they have no time to think, to dream, or create. Most kids (and parents) fall back on technology, but what else can they do?
Listed here are 64 ideas (I had to stop myself!) Let the kids do the planning.
By the way, you will find that playing video games is also on this list. After all, it's not a bad thing when done in moderation.
I hope you and your children add to this list on your own and have an amazing summer!
| Name | Description and/or Comments | |
| 1 | Go berry picking | Look for local places. Repeat in the fall with apples and pumpkins! |
| 2 | Plan out, buy seeds or seedlings, and consider pumpkins for the fall | |
| 3 | Roller Skating | Is there a summer deal? Look locally. |
| 4 | Batting Cages | Love this! |
| 5 | Pick 3 to 5 games you've never played before and learn them with your friends | |
| 6 | One time cost of buying the ball and bat | |
| 7 | First you have to make the game pieces | |
| 8 | First you have to make the game pieces | |
| 9 | Make the game first | |
| 10 | Could be a visit to the bowling alley or OR you can make up your own bowling game with 2 liter soda bottles | |
| 11 | This game is really going to help you in the future! | |
| 12 | Drawing | What could you do with a big roll of white paper? |
| 13 | Sightseeing | If someone was visiting your town, what are the top tourist attractions? Have you seen them? |
| 14 | Plan a drive, consider stops along the way. You can and should use Google for this! | |
| 15 | You know the drill…this is done only with adult supervision. | |
| 16 | Ziplining | Look locally |
| 17 | Zoo | Look locally |
| 18 | Aquarium | Look locally |
| 19 | Grab your iPad to audio record. Get an inexpensive microphone and have your questions ready. | |
| 20 | Learn to do three new things | You get to choose, and plan how you will learn. |
| 21 | This could be so much fun to plan with your friends. Don't forget decorations and making a video! | |
| 22 | Mini golf | Before you have to learn how to play for corporate networking, mini golf is a great start. |
| 23 | And then plan a gak attack | |
| 24 | Waterpark | Look locally |
| 25 | Create family madlibs | Start this way…'there once was a family of _____ who loved to ____' |
| 26 | Play manhunt | Of course this belongs in its own category |
| 27 | Read | Pick books/topics that you LOVE. Reading is a gift and the cost = free if you visit the library. |
| 28 | Make your own creative targets | |
| 29 | Dress appropriately | |
| 30 | Become a Youtube channel star | Care to put on a show? Get your parents' permission first. |
| 31 | Host a 'drive in' movie | Can you borrow a projector? Put a sheet on a wall and host a drive in. Don't forget the snacks! |
| 32 | Crabbing | Look locally |
| 33 | If there are too many lights where you are, take a drive so you can see more stars | |
| 34 | Make a family yearbook | Best to save all photos till the end of the summer and make a gift for your parents and grandparents. |
| Pick your favorite colors! | ||
| 35 | Plan the family holiday card | You will get extra points from your parents on this one! Be creative and show your family in an interesting way. |
| 36 | Did you know the cardboard box was the toy of the year in 2005? Go to stores that sell large appliances (your parents will have to ask) | |
| 37 | Visit a farmer's market | So much to learn in terms of weights, measures, culture and food. |
| 38 | Plan and make dinner | Once you've shopped, plan an interesting and delicious meal for the family. |
| 39 | You can't have a summer without them. | |
| 40 | Go canoeing at a local lake | Look locally |
| 41 | Host a backyard luau | Research, plan and get creative ideas from your friends. |
| 42 | How interesting would it be for you to return to school and tell the teacher, "Yes, I did my summer reading and I also wrote a book!" | |
| 43 | Why do Friday's always make sense for pizza? | |
| 44 | Setup a lemonade stand | Pick a cause that you would like to support and send them the money. Bonus - see if your parents will match what you raise. |
| 45 | Plan a waterballoon fight | Ingredients - balloons and water. Done! |
| 46 | Go biking on a trail | Look locally and be sure to wear helmets! |
| 47 | And then put on a show | |
| 48 | Use a huge canvas or individual cardboard. | |
| 49 | You are going to love the visitors your garden attracts. | |
| 50 | Visit a fish hatchery | Look locally |
| 51 | You will be ahead of the curve for 'talk like a pirate day' which is September 19th. | |
| 52 | Select your favorite charity. | |
| 53 | Visit a retirement home | Read to or perform for the residents. Nice if residents include your family, but not necessary. |
| 54 | Make a giant slip-n-slide | Use a painter's tarp and add shaving cream for extra fun (and cleanup!) |
| 55 | What is your superpower? | |
| 56 | Make your own hard to pop bubbles | Ingredients - 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap and 1 tablespoon of glycerin |
| 57 | Play video games | This is on the list because it's not off limits, just limited. |
| 58 | Make postcards | Use corrugated paper and glue on your artwork. Mail to your favorite relatives. |
| 59 | Pull together a costume closet | Get the hats and clothes no longer used and get an inexpensive wall mirror |
| 60 | Get a stamp pad, your thumb and a pen to add a little more interest | |
| 61 | Visit the botanic gardens | Look locally |
| 62 | Do you like sports? | |
| 63 | Does your town host free concerts in the park? | Take advantage of that. You can run into friends too. Bring snacks, water and bug spray. |
| 64 | Love the Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein - free! |
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