The children are not bored nearly as often since I’ve started including them in whatever I’m doing. Together we sweep the floor, wash the dishes, make bread, and mix up casseroles. We make a big mess, but it’s also a lot of fun and keeps them highly entertained while also contributing to the family. I figure in a few years I’ll have quite the little work force!
Even so, there are times my children complain of boredom, so for these moments I’ve compiled a list of ideas that I have taped to the refrigerator.
My Bored List.
Blowing bubbles
Coloring
Play doh
Paper airplanes
Playing store with pantry items
I also have a bored basket where I keep extra items/toys that they only get to play with periodically. This keeps them fun for those special times when I pull out the basket.
In my basket I have magnet shapes, beads to string, stencils and zig zag scissors as well as an apple shaped hole punch, a memory game, and a “restaurant” set. (Little plates, cups and spoons, and pots and pans for serving food and a pizza set.)
And of course having half the toys in storage and switching them every once in a while keeps the toy box interesting.
With these ideas under my hat I feel pretty equipped for a rainy day. Good thing too, since it often rains here in Alaska in the springtime.
Do you have a bored list? I’d love to add ideas to mine!
I had a bored list for Kara, cause she had no younger siblings to play with when the others went off to school. Some things that were on there were: making cards (cutting, coloring, gluing, drawing, rubber stamps), puzzles, kindergarten activity books, rollerskating, playing with her dolls and learning to braid their hair, riding trike, coloring books, music or story tapes, catching butterflies or lightening bugs, bubbles or water play, jump-rope, making a recipe (edible play dough), looking at photo albums from our family, or doing some work for me like picking blueberries, washing windows, de-sprouting potatoes, watering plants or cleaning out my silverware drawer. When she got a little older, I taught her to do simple cross-stitch embroidery. If there’s 2 of them they could play Hide-n-Seek, hide the thimble, make a tent by playing under the kitchen table with a sheet over the top, etc.
I love all these ideas! Definitely adding some to my bored list!