Low-Cost Ideas to Keep the Kids Busy This Summer

A little summer vacation goes a long way. By the time July rolls around, parents are often subject to the resounding echoes of "I'm Bored!" from the kids throughout the day. Next time your children complain of boredom, try one of these replies:

"Plant a garden."

All it takes is a quick trip to the nursery for some plants or seeds. If you're on a budget, mums or pansies are always affordable, and packets of seeds are only a few dollars. Pick a corner of the yard and let it be their own to dig around, plant, and get dirty.

"Plan a trip."

Wherever they want to go. The zoo. Disneyland. Antartica. Make sure they plan out every detail, especially the budget and what to pack, just as though you were actually taking the trip. Have them log on to Expedia.com or Travelocity.com to find out prices and check hotel reviews at TripAdvisor.com. Kids can research history and local culture on the area by visiting the library or searching the Internet. And hey, if it's realistic, you can always take the trip for real!

"Make lunch."

Most kids love to cook, and there are so many easy recipes they can make themselves. For fun Shish-Kebabs that kids can make, set out an assortment of fruits and veggies, some skewers, and dips of marinara sauce, ranch dressing, peanut butter, or whipped cream. For dessert, let them spoon their favorite ice cream flavor into an individual store-bought graham-cracker crust to make Mini Ice-Cream Pies. Individuals Pizzas are also easy to make and popular with kids. Provide toppings like pepperoni, sliced zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese to put on top of pita bread "crusts." Pop in the microwave or in the oven until cheese melts.

Find more kid-friendly recipes at AllRecipes.com or MyRecipes.com.

"Write a book."

For the kids who have read every book on their shelves, encourage them to write their own! Any copy center, like Kinko's can copy and bind it for you, or visit Lulu.com to self-publish a more ambitious book. Kids will love giving their own published books to friends and relatives.

"Conduct a science experiment."

Encourage interest in the sciences by letting kids experiment. Try a science experiment from Kids-Science-Experiments.com, like this Color-Changing Experiment:

Materials you will need:

• Water

• Scissors

• Food Coloring

• Jars, Cups or Test Tubes

• Several stalks of celery (with leaves)

Steps:

1. Fill each cup with water.

2. Add a few drops of food coloring to each cup of water.

3. Cut the ends off the stalks.

4. Put one stalk in each cup of colored water.

Watch, and in time the food coloring will be sucked up the stem along tiny tubes (called vessels) and the leaves will start to change in color. Cut the stalk in half, and you will be able to see the colored holes in the center.

Another way to try this experiment is to slit the celery stalk carefully from the bottom and put each end in separate test tubes (with different food colorings). The stalk of celery should have leaves in two different colors.

"Make a craft."

The local craft store is full of activities for kids. Keep a few color-by-number kits or modeling clays on hand for days when boredom sets in. Or, if you don't have any craft projects on hand, have kids draw two identical shapes onto fabric, cut out the shapes, sew them together, and fill them with beans or lentils. The kids can make a simple bean-bag tossing game by cutting holes out of a large piece of cardboard. Lean the cardboard against a wall, assign points to each hole, and see if they can toss the bean bags through certain holes to see how many points they can get.

Browse more craft ideas by finding books at the local library or by visiting DLTK-kids.com or EnchantedLearning.com.

"Make up a secret code."

Show the kids how to create a substitution cipher by writing out the alphabet and having them substitute an alternate letter, number, or symbol for each letter.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A B C D E F

Kids can write a secret code by substituting the bottom letters for the one on the top. For example, using the secret code above, the message NO SUS would translate to HI MOM.

Visit the library for books on secret codes, or see Ron Hipschman's excellent explanation on codes and ciphers at Exploratorium.edu, which includes links to further information.

"Find the hidden treasure."

This one is pure bribery, but it works. Hide a five-dollar bill (more or less, if you want) and hide it well. Tell your child it's hidden somewhere in the house (or outside), and if they find it without making any messes, they can keep it.

"Give your bedroom a makeover."

Sometimes kids just want a change in their surroundings, so let the kids rearrange their bedroom furniture any way they want. Encourage them to try new decorating ideas. Headboard pushed back into the closet? Paper flowers hanging from the ceiling? Give them some ownership of their space, and let them decide. You might even let them paint or pick out a new bedspread or framed picture.

"Let's do something together."

Because when you're kids say, "I'm bored," what they are trying to tell you is, "I want your love and attention, even for just a little while." Give them your undivided attention. Take a few minute to play a game, read a story, or talk about your day.