Boredom Busters for Children

Hearing that your child is bored and can't find anything to do is every parents worst nightmare over the course of a holiday break. As your child wanders throughout the house, all of a sudden you hear, "Mom I'm bored. There's nothing to do." You know very well that there are plenty of things that need to be done or could be done. Surely, your child is not that bored---or is he? Finding activites for your child to keep busy with can make the day easier for the both of you.

First of all, it is good to set a schedule of some type. A strict schedule is not necessary, but a basic outline of the day can be beneficial. You might suggest that after waking up, your child take care of their personal hygiene matters or make their bed. Afterwards, allow your child to help prepare breakfast, feed any animals and take care of any chores that need to be done.

Encourage your child to read, write and do some type of learning activity each day. Workbooks and writing talets are good things to keep on hand for your child. Have your child write a story about their summer vacation or holiday break. Then, ecourage your child to draw a picture to go with their story.

Keep a large container of art materials on hand for your child to use. When throwing boxes, lids, papers and other household objects away, think about the different ways they can be re-used. Can you add them to your child's art supply box? A cereal box can easily be transformed into a guitar with some scissors, rubber bands and a stapler. You will be surprised at the amount of time a child can be entertained with art and craft supplies, if there is a sufficient amount of materials and a variety for the child to choose from. Plan a daily craft time where the two of you create something special. A photo frame, a bracelet, a tye dyed t-shirt or a simple nature collage can all be fun.

Cooking is always a fun boredom buster! Finding creative recipes that are easy for children to make is simple. There are a variety of children's cookbooks and websites that cater to cooking with kids. Remember to always supervise your child in the kitchen and make safety and cleanliness a top priority.

Take your child to local parks, zoos, museums and venues that he will enjoy. Often times, family memberships can be purchased and are valid for an entire year from the date of purchase. This can be a great way to take advantage of the activites the venue offers and save money.

Reward your child for good behaviors and following directions by allowing him/her to have a friend over to play. Allowing your child to play with friends during a holiday break can help them beat the boredom and stay in contact with their peers.

Finally, it is okay for your child to figure out how to entertain themselves at times. If you have made reasonable offers and suggestions and your child does not seem interested, leave the ball in their court. If your child does not like what you are suggesting, allow them to make their own suggestion.