Summer 'Keep 'Em Busy' Ideas

[Mike]

Something else I'd want to do with SA kids is to buy small appliances and electronics from thrift stores, cut off the cords, give the kids one each with some screwdrivers, and let them take them apart (and maybe even put them back together again).

My DH spent his childhood tinkering with items like this and can now, basically, fix anything. If nothing else, it will keep them busy for a while.

Some kids love doing that kind of thing, boys and girls.

And maybe a computer program or site that teaches coding to kids. STEM is where it's at, from what I've read. That and trades.

A lot of future job potential here, in the computer programming, and the trades fields. No matter how technical or advanced things get, we will always have to make and fix things.

[Josiegirl]

Something else I'd want to do with SA kids is to buy small appliances and electronics from thrift stores, cut off the cords, give the kids one each with some screwdrivers, and let them take them apart (and maybe even put them back together again).

My DH spent his childhood tinkering with items like this and can now, basically, fix anything. If nothing else, it will keep them busy for a while. And maybe a computer program or site that teaches coding to kids. STEM is where it's at, from what I've read. That and trades.

I'm so glad you posted this!! I had a couple old keyboards the older kids did this with 2 summers ago. They had a great time! Adding 'old appliances' onto my list of things to keep an eye out for. That and more games. We do have some games for the 6-10 yo crowd; I will have to get them out of hiding to prepare for their 'I'm bored' days.

Thank you so much everybody!! Sometimes what I need is a reminder and kick-in-the-butt to look around at what I already have.

[Mike]

There are always more ideas brainstorming with dozens of others instead of just by yourself. That's what makes forums like this so useful.

[Blackcat31]

Here is another program to encourage reading this summer!

https://www.thebalance.com/barnes-and-noble-summer-reading-program-for-kids-1356824

[Unregistered]

My school age kids always love:

Making God's Eyes-I use two tongue depressors and connect them in the center with yarn. I use variegated yarn for the to use so it's colorful. They love them and they are easy enough but engaging.

Those perler bead projects. I have a big bin of beads and about 10 shapes to choose from. They work and work on them and yes I have to iron them! I know there's a new kind you don't iron but they are more expensive.

I have a couple rubbing sets ( Barbie and Batman) where they take different panels and make different pictures and rub with sides of crayons that the paper has been removed.

I save lids from cans (I have a pampered chef can opener - no rough edges. Used to use juice lids but I don't buy much juice anymore ). I have a bin of puffy paint. Kids decorate lid and then when dry we put a magnet in the back.

I do an easy weekly theme too and they always seem to like what the preschoolers are doing.
Strawberry week
Ice cream week-make ice cream in a bag!
Sand week
Bubble week
Root bear week
Etc.

I like the board game idea! Simplicity! I have fond memories of playing Life, Headache, Monopoly, etc. as a kid!

Our small town has an Earth day celebration and one of the options is fairy gardens. They collect all kinds of times from garage sales-figurines, beads, wooden items, jewels etc. really cute and cheap. So that's another fairy garden option.

[Unregistered]

spoons! that game kept the kids busy for hours! My kids liked "Junk day" where we took all the junk (cans, boxes, random art supplies, rocks nature junk basically whatever was laying around) tossed it on the table with glue and sizzors and said "Have at it" Yea, it tended to be messy but it usually produced some cool art. We made trebuchets once, spent a hr trying see who could get there marble the farthest. Goop or slime is fun too. sprinkler play. ill come back if i think of anymore