31 Summer Boredom Buster Ideas
You need these Summer Boredom Buster Ideas. Once mid summer hits we begin to hear that old I’m bored complaint coming from the children. Be ready before it happens.
Use this list of summer boredom busters to create your own list and be ready before it happens. Running behind, no problem, nothing on this list is overtly complicated. Heck, some of it is already right there in your home but you must have forgotten. It’s okay, I’m happy to help you keep the boredom to a bare minimum.
1. Make A Late Summer Bucket List
It is not to late for a Summer Bucket List and do some things you want to before summer ends. Add things you have already done and check them off! But be sure to add some things you have not yet done. Get inspiration from this list
2. Make a point of watching summer sunsets
Sit facing the west and watch the sun go down. Sometimes, the sky is magical and just witnessing that is fulfilling. Make it more fun by sitting in back of a pick-up truck or on a blanket on the ground. You can even drive to a good location nearby to watch. Share your favorite summer beverage. Snap photos, they create memories.
3. Learn to write in cursive
If you already know, then teach someone to write in cursive. Some of Mom’s and Grandma’s old recipes are written in cursive and you want to read them. It’s really not a hard thing to learn and it doesn’t take long. That’s why they used to teach it in second grade. Use this workbook from Amazon
4. Set up some good old fashioned outdoor water play, not just for the kiddos
Water sprinklers, water balloons, Water Gun battle, Slip and Slide. We made this Water Tarp Game using tarps and Duct tape a few years back and the kids loved it. It was easy and cheap water fun.
- order a whole pack of water guns from Amazon
- this Slip and Slide has 2 lanes and comes with body board on Amazon
- Twister Splash is a wet version of the old favorite
- Got toddlers? You need this Water Table so they can play too
- You want to go big? Buy this Inflatable Water slide for your backyard
5. Be a tourist in your own town
Go visit the historic places and museums you know are there but have never seen yourself. Take a walk or bike ride on the local trails. Take this adventure to another level by letting everyone take photos from their own perspective. Then create a video with the photos and watch it together. It will be fun to see things you didn’t notice but someone else did.
6. Go on Picnics
Choose several nearby locations to enjoy a picnic. Plan your picnics with the family to include some outdoor activities. Is there a free Animal preserve near you? Many have picnic facilities. State or National parks have picnic areas. Sometimes you can get a free parking pass to State parks from the library.
7. Recreate old photos
Go through old photos to find the perfect one to recreate. The whole family needs to be in the picture. Try to match the attire as closely as possible, the facial expressions and the poses. This may take a day or more of planning and preparation making this a great boredom buster.
8. Play Minute To Win It Games Indoors
Play the ‘move a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without dropping it’ in one minute game. Use a straw with suction, to move M&M’s from one plate to another. Whoever moves the most in one minute, wins. Build a Solo cup pyramid and then disassemble it-whoever does it the fastest without messing up in one minute, wins. See more indoor games
9. Binge Watch a family friendly old series on TV
There are a plethora of old TV Series in reruns available on demand. You can watch one or two episodes each night. Make it a little family party with popcorn and ice cream. Set up a Family Movie Night Snack Bar like this to make it more fun.
Some of the old TV Series worth binge watching include:
- Andy Griffith
- Star Trek
- The Waltons
- The Golden Girls
- The Brady Bunch
- The Lucy Show
- The Dick Van Dyke Show
- Columbo
- George Lopez
- The Carol Burnett Show
- Friends
10. Do Upcycle Projects
A good craft project is always fun. Summer is a great time to do them and get the kids involved.
- Make bird houses or bird feeders by repurposing empty containers like coffee cans like this or milk jugs like this.
- Here are 31 Clever Ways To Repurpose Common Household Items
- 7 Useful Ways To Repurpose Jars
- 5 Common Household Items Repurposed
- 5 Easy & Cheap Kids Crafts
- 13 Easy Paint Projects For Kids Stuck At Home
11. Build An Indoor Fort
You remember blanket forts on rainy days? We gathered every blanket in the house, slid all the dining table chairs close together, draped the blankets over and climbed underneath. Always a fun activity for children and it takes them a long time to do it.
If you want to take indoor fort building to another level, make one of these. It can take more than one day but it keeps the kids active and they play with it for days and weeks to come.
12. Create a Board Game Family Tournament
Board games are a great past time for the whole family. Summer break is the perfect time to create a family tournament too. We made this Championship Belt a while back for our Board Game Tournament. Our favorite family board game is Clue.
Great Family Board Games
13. Celebrate Christmas in July with DIY
Make some DIY Christmas ornaments. Here are lots of great ideas for DIY Christmas ornaments to get you started. Make some Christmas crafts using any of these ideas for inspiration. I always feel a little bit accomplished if I can get started early on my DIY Christmas projects. I love DIY Christmas anything, don’t you?
Use these boredom buster ideas for adults, not just the kids. There are some things on this list I enjoy doing like watching the sunrise and and going on a picnic at the Wild Animal Preserve. You will find a few boredom buster ideas you can add to your summer to-do list too.
More Kids Activities
