Summer Break Boredom Busters

This post is sponsored by the brands mentioned below. As always, all opinions are my own.

I feel like we go through the school year counting down the days until it’s Summer break – and then Summer break actually arrives. Now I am responsible for keeping the kids occupied and for keeping their brains working. Great!

Now what?

We can only craft and go to the park so many times in a week.

And how many snacks can these kids possibly eat in a day?

Will I ever be able to get the house clean?

Aside from the obvious Summer break activities like family vacations, trips to the zoo, camping, etc., I wanted to share some fun idea for kids around the ages of 4-5. My daughter asks me a million times a day if we can do something fun – so here’s my little solutions.

These should get me through at least a week of boredom… right?

Chores

Kids HATE the word chore. Shoot – even I hate the word chore! It sounds so horrible. But, turning boring chores into instantly rewarding activities is a win/win for you and the kids.

Idea: Work for Hire Board (more ideas on Pinterest)

How-to:

When kids can see the reward beforehand, they are more likely to do the work. Find a magnetic board and label it WORK FOR HIRE. Cut out a little rectangular piece of paper and write a chore down on it. Stick it to your board with a dollar bill or a pack of candy and kids can pick and choose which task/reward they would like. You can also use a piece of string with clothes pins!

Play-Based Learning Activities

Telling your kids that they are going to learn something sounds boring. When they are learning while they are playing, you’re more likely to hear less complaints.

Idea: Sight Words Smart Cards with Wikki Stix (picturefirstlearning.com – $29.99 with Smart Doodles Book)

How-to:

Going over sight word flash cards is borrrrring! Picture First Learning, winner of the 2016 Family Choice Award, has come up with a way for sight word flash cards to be interactive and hands-on.

Each pack of 30 sight words cards comes with a set of wax Wikki Stix so kids can create each letter or word. Each card has a brightly illustrated front and a detailed back which includes a way for kids to “see” the word and “live” the word.

Example: The letter A

See it: “A” means picture any one thing. “Lingo says, ‘A dog.'” Picture any one dog.

Live it: “Let’s Get Moving! Stand up with me. Walk to a door. Tap the door with a finger.”

Playing with the Sight Words Smart Cards with Wikki Stix from Picture First Learning is a little like playing with play-doh, only less messy. It turns sight word practice into a fun, artsy activity. Both of my girls love to play with Wikki Stix and Picture First learning really got it right with this set.

You also might like: Sight Words Smart Doodles (which comes with the set of Smart Cards).

Reading

Idea: The Moodsters Feelings Flashlight (Target – $19.99)

How-to: This colorful flashlight help teach kid a lesson about their emotions and feelings. It allows them to shine a light on their feelings with a dash of humor and some wisdom. The 32-page storybook titled The Scary Sleepover talks about a young boy who is not so sure if he wants to do a treehouse sleepover. There are dark shadows and spooky noises in the backyard, but The Moodsters can help Zach face his fears – and save the sleepover.

Games

Idea: Interactive Board Games – Zippity Do!, Red Light Green Light 1-2-3 and Cupcake Race (endlessgames.com)

How-to: Playing board games that get kids up and moving is always a great idea. These action-packed games from Endless Games would make for a great Family Game Night.

Red Light Green Light 1-2-3: The classic schoolyard game is now a fast-action, quick-to-learn card game for the whole family! Game play is simple. Just follow the pattern RED LIGHT – GREEN LIGHT – 1-2-3. Play as many cards on your turn as you can IN THAT ORDER. Can’t play a card? Draw one from the deck and play passes to the next “driver.” Play all your cards first to dodge traffic and win the game.

Zippity Do!: Six picture cards are spread out on the table. Players then try to sing a song with one of the images. Sing the song and pick the card you’re singing about. Then replace it with another card from the deck.

Cupcake Race: There’s a party tonight and you and your opponents have been asked to bring cupcakes. The race is one! Be the first player to MIX, BAKE and FROST your cupcake by visiting all four corners and collect sprinkles along the way. The first player to reach the party with a completed cupcake and a sprinkle of each color wins the cherry to put on top.

Idea: Hot Potato or Indoor Bowling with a Rainbow Soft Ball (edushape.com – $9.95)

How-to:

You’ve been saving all of those old food containers for a reason! Get a game of indoor bowling going by lining up old coffee creamer containers at the end of a hallway. Take turns rolling the Edushape Rainbow Soft Ball to see who can knock over the most containers. Littler kids will enjoy watching the mini balls roll around inside the Rainbow Soft Ball!

Who doesn’t love a good game of Hot Potato? Sit the whole family down in a circle or across from each other if playing with two people and pass the ball back and forth as quickly as you can.