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by Cindy Leave a Comment

Get Your Free I’m Bored Activity List to Save Sanity This Summer

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Do you take a long summer break from homeschooling? If so, you NEED the I’M BORED Activity List!

Because we live on a farm that requires a lot of attention in the summer, it’s always been necessary to take a “traditional” long break from school. Even though we stay busy with farm, mowing, and gardening tasks, there is still plenty of time for children younger than 13 to say, “I’m bored!”

Kick boredom to the curb with this printable "I'm Bored" activity list for children 7+.

While I certainly appreciate reading good books aloud on the porch swing and playing board games under a shade tree, I don’t have time to be the constant director of activity or playmate for bored children.

Many years ago, I started creating a yearly list of 100 activities that my children could do instead of telling me they were bored. While it has never stopped those dreaded words completely, it has drastically reduced them.

Don’t think that just because I write a fancy list, my children actually use it! Sadly, no. There’s always been a little bribery involved. 

Making a Summer Boredom List Work

Sometimes, I write the 100 activities on little slips of paper and put them in a jar. Other times, I write out a giant list and hang it on the refrigerator. Either way, each child collects slips or highlights activities as they are completed.

Depending on the ages of my children, once 10 or 20 are finished, there’s some kind of small treat involved – a stop at the ice cream cream shop, a friend over for the afternoon, or extra x-box time.

Once all 100 are finished, there’s a much bigger treat – a trip to the drive-in theater or local water park, for instance.

I only have one child under 13 these days. Over the years, though, all the kids (and I) have had a great time with the list. It’s helped them to stay independently busy without whining, and given me some time to take care of all those summer to-dos.

A Couple of Summer Activity List Notes

When I had more than one child under 13, everyone had their own list most summers. Occasionally, I would let the kids share the list when everyone was equally excited about it.

When everything on the list is completed and there are still plenty of days left in summer break, the list gets printed again. There are enough varied activities that it isn’t a big deal to repeat anything.

I have allowed (and even expected) older kids to create their own list of 100 things after the first one is finished. You’ll notice below that some of the items are chores rather than simple fun and games. I have always found it hilarious that their own created lists also included chores.

I have definitely created different lists for different ages. The list you will find below works well with children who are at least seven or older.

I’m Bored Summer Activity List

To get you started creating your own list, here is a sample of one I created that you are welcome to print and use in your home if it works for you.

Notice that not every activity is what most kids might consider “fun”. Chores and light schoolwork fit the bill, too. The way I see it, if my children are really bored and need me to come up with a list, then anything goes.  (Wink.)

100 Things To Do If I’m Bored

  1. read
  2. ride a bike
  3. take a nature walk
  4. do an experiment
  5. play an instrument
  6. draw
  7. play a board game
  8. clean your room
  9. wash windows
  10. do a craft
  11. play a card game
  12. organize a book shelf
  13. make a recipe
  14. do a devotional
  15. call a friend
  16. write a letter
  17. play dress up
  18. do a puzzle
  19. make a mask
  20. listen to music
  21. weed the flowers
  22. water the flowers
  23. make up a story
  24. act out a story
  25. make up a song
  26. listen to a book on tape
  27. exercise
  28. bird watch
  29. do leaf rubbings
  30. graph the number of bugs you see in an hour
  31. collect seeds
  32. actually play with your toys
  33. do origami
  34. create a Bible lesson to teach to a younger child
  35. play a computer game
  36. organize the refrigerator
  37. read a magazine
  38. dig in the garden
  39. look up a word you don’t know in the dictionary and try to use it throughout the day
  40. collect rocks
  41. paint rocks
  42. write a Christmas wish list
  43. make bubbles
  44. jump rope
  45. play in water
  46. mop a bathroom
  47. organize a drawer in your room
  48. paint a picture
  49. dance
  50. watch the clouds go by
  51. pray
  52. make a prayer journal
  53. teach your dogs a trick
  54. experiment with new hairstyles
  55. make some beaded jewelry
  56. sew
  57. knit
  58. crochet
  59. take a treat to a neighbor
  60. wash the car
  61. build something from wood scraps
  62. plant seeds
  63. practice a play to put on for your parents
  64. skip
  65. do jumping jacks
  66. wash dishes
  67. play hide and go seek
  68. build with Lego blocks
  69. play cowboys and Indians
  70. pull out your spy journals
  71. sort shells
  72. play with pattern blocks
  73. set up a picture studio
  74. make play dough
  75. make a healthy snack
  76. plan a party
  77. write a grocery list for Mom
  78. memorize a poem and tell it to someone
  79. play school
  80. design an outfit
  81. set up a store for your family to shop
  82. help an elderly neighbor with a job around their house
  83. make an instrument
  84. take a nap
  85. take a long bubble bath
  86. vacuum the van
  87. make clay boats to sail
  88. make your own 100 things to do list
  89. do a crossword puzzle
  90. write and illustrate a story
  91. study an artist and try one of his or her pieces
  92. make silly faces in the mirror
  93. swing
  94. jump on the trampoline
  95. make puppets
  96. organize pictures
  97. go through toys and choose some to give away
  98. go through clothes and bag up the ones that are too small
  99. make cards for you family or friends
  100. draw the clouds in the sky

You may have noticed that a few of the activities require supplies or instructions. For instance, to “do origami” children will need a book or website with directions and some paper supplies.

As I create my list, I think about what resources I have on hand that might make good boredom busters. I typically create a summer bookshelf or box of goodies that contain most of the supplies necessary.

My children have always had free access to the art supplies, too.

Print My Summer Boredom List

If the ideas on the list above sound like good ones for your children, feel free to print my list for your refrigerator!

Bored No More!

Get your printable refrigerator list of 100 boredom busters.

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    Enjoy your summer break! It should be at least a little easier now. 😉

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    Last Updated: May 27, 2019 Filed Under: Bible & Character, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School Tagged With: active kids, bored kids, creative solutions, independent learning, summer

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