20 Ways to Fight Boredom This Summer

Families First of Florida values family connection. We see any activity that engages the family a perfect opportunity for our foster families. Summer is just around the corner, and children will soon have a lot more time on their hands. As the lazy days of summer start to settle in, a common complaint from children is “I’m bored.” Here is an easy way to empower children to engage in a positive activity (either independently or with the whole family). All that is needed for this quick and easy intervention is some Popsicle sticks and a jar (a mason jar works well but any jar, glass, cup, or container will do). Even for children who attend summer camp, this intervention can be used to bring the family together or keep kids busy with new ideas over the weekend to get them away from TVs, laptops, and cell phones! The idea is to write down activities on the Popsicle sticks and place them in the jar. Engage your children in coming up with ideas for themselves and/or the family too! When your child complains of being bored or when you’re struggling to come up with something fun for the family to do together, have them go to the jar and pull out a popsicle stick at random. Here are 20 ideas to get you started:

1. Do a chore
2. Go for a bike ride
3. Go for a walk
4. Bake some cookies or other treats
5. Go swimming
6. Read a book
7. Play a bored game
8. Go to a park
9. Have some friends over for a game of basketball/kickball/soccer/etc.
10. Pick an arts and craft project to do
11. Create a comic book
12. Plant a garden (vegetables or flowers) and tend to it
13. Go fishing
14. Volunteer in your community (ex: pet shelters, habitat for humanity, etc.)
15. Create a song and perform it for your family for fun
16. Visit a library
17. Create a sidewalk chalk mural
18. Have a water balloon fight
19. Have a dance contest
20. Plan and have a picnic