New tricks for summer boredom

I love the summer. Especially in Minnesota...where right now it is 73 degrees with low humidity and a slight breeze...ahhhhh!

I love having a break from all the activities...youth group, BSF, Tapestry, etc...that fill our days during the school year. Summer days bring a pleasant change and are relaxing, warm, and laid back.

But even with all the company we've recently had, play dates with friends, and weekly errands, the days sometimes get long and the kiddos (especially Sammy during Hannah and Caleb's afternoon naps) get bored.

So I decided to organize all of Sammy's "school" activities and other crafts/activities and write them on some popsicle sticks and arrange them in this cute mug. If she can't think of anything to do or is bored while the younger kiddos nap, she chooses 1 stick with a blue dot and 3 sticks with a purple dot. The ones with blue dots are activities she does with me and the purple ones are activities she can do by herself. I have gradually added ideas/activities, and now she has about 25-30 to choose from.

Her whining and boredom have greatly decreased, and the amount of work I get done during naps has increased! Plus she is so eager to try something new or something she hasn't done in awhile. Her favorite activities have been writing cards/letters to friends and neighbors and doing some different manipulatives.

I also found that some days when I've been stressed out because of my insanely long to-do list, I've let the kids watch way too much PBS Kids. I've also noticed that I am spending a lot of time cleaning up after them. So I stole this idea from a friend and then tweeked it a bit for our home. This is Sammy and Caleb's "chore charts."

The kids both have chores every morning, lunchtime and in the evening. They are responsible for making their beds, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, getting their bowls/cups/plates for each meal, picking up their toys, etc. If/when they complete their morning chores, then...and only then...can they watch 1/2 hour of PBS Kids. Some days I'm not as good at reminding them, but they do seem eager to move their little magnet pictures to the right spots.

They are beginning to realize that they have responsibilities around the home as a member of our family. Plus, I have lightened my load a bit as well. And I'm teaching them that work comes first, then fun. It's a win-win for them and me!