What to Do When the Kids Say I’m Bored

Are you wondering what to do when the kids say, “I’m Bored?” I have a list of over 100 activities to do with kids to keep them occupied.

It’s Summer and school is out. It doesn’t take long before you start to hear “I’m bored” from the kids. My solution? The I’m Bored jar.

What is that?

I simply collected a list of ideas to give my kids when they come to me and say “I’m bored.” These activities are an easy way for them to use their imaginations, show some creativity, exercise their little bodies, and have some fun!

Related: 100+Activities for You and Your Family

How to Make an I’m Bored Jar

Ingredients:

GraphicStock images
Microsoft Word (or similar software)
blank copy paper
scissors
computer
printer
empty jar (or other container)

Instructions:

1. To make this easy, I made a short list of eight items. I opened Microsoft Word, selected Avery’s 5395 template (which fits 8 name badges on a page)

 

2. Using my GraphicStock free trial, I picked images I liked from the same artist for consistency. I downloaded eight images onto my computer (I used jpg, but png, pdf, and eps are also available).

 

3. Then, I began inserting images into each block along with a description of the activity. (Example: Picture of a caricature along with a note to “Draw a caricature.” This works for readers and non-readers.)

4. Print the sheet of 8 cards. You can use plain white copy paper, card stock, colored paper, or anything else you have on hand. If you have more than 8 ideas, you can continue to add them to the list before printing out the cards.

5. Once you have the printed sheet, simply cut them out, and place them in your “What to Do When I’m Bored” jar. Or, you can have one of your little helpers cut them out for you.

Every time you hear “I’m bored,” simply instruct the child to pick a task. Need a little inspiration for what to put on that list? Here you go…

What to Do When the Kids Say I’m Bored: 100+Ideas

1. One chore (mom’s choice)
2. One chore (your choice)
3. Play with clay or play-dough
4. Draw a dinosaur
5. Make a map of the neighborhood
6. Make a map of your favorite state
7. Vacuum one room
8. Dust three rooms
9. Play a board game
10. Play a card game
11. Color
12. Make a time capsule
13. Build a blanket fort
14. Play outside for 30 minutes
15. 15 minutes of screen time
16. 30 minutes of screen time
17. Interview a grown-up
18. Interview your sibling
19. Draw a castle
20. Draw a city
21. Coloring pages from the Internet
22. Clean broken crayons from crayon container
23. Play hide and seek
24. Go swimming
25. Go to the library
26. Read for 15 minutes
27. Read for 30 minutes
28. Read for 45 minutes
29. Read with mom or dad
30. Call a relative
31. Tell a story
32. Write a play
33. Put on a sock-puppet show
34. Make play-dough
35. Make cookies with a grown-up
36. Bake something
37. Have a treat
38. Eat a piece of fruit
39. Eat a veggie
40. Make a snack buffet
41. Take your toys outside
42. Take a walk
43. Find five nature items and identify them
44. Learn five facts about any animal
45. Learn five facts about any president
46. Play a board game
47. Make a board game of your own
48. Customize your clothes
49. Make something with your buttons
50. Play on the Xbox
51. Play on the Wii
52. Draw a picture blindfolded
53. Draw a picture with your feet
54. Make a video
55. Write a poem
56. Google something to make
57. Make a card pyramid
58. Go and collect some stones and make them into bugs
59. Dance to loud music
60. Play on the trampoline
61. Start a club with your friends
62. Tidy craft cupboard
63. Sew something
64. Bake cookies
65. Play out with friends
66. Ride your bike
67. Water balloon fight
68. Wash the car
69. Play with the chalks outside
70. Make a bookmark
71. Make some homemade ice lollies
72. Play a Board game
73. Look at a Family Photo Album
74. Learn to do Laundry
75. Listen to Music
76. Practice Multiplication
77. Play with Pots & Pans
78. Sing a Nursery Rhyme Backwards
79. Organize Pantry
80. Find Shapes In Clouds
81. Learn a Magic Trick
82. Put on a Play
83. Decorate an Old T-Shirt
84. Interview a Family Member
85. Make of List Of Favorite Things
86. Make an Obstacle Course
87. Eat Ice-Cream
88. Play Hopscotch
89. Learn 5 facts about A President
90. Eat a Popsicle
91. Roller skate Or skateboard
92. Build a Fort of Blankets
93. Go for A Walk
94. Take a Nap
95. Play Frisbee
96. Do a Good Deed
97. Color in your Coloring Books
98. Play a Video Game
99. Play Dress Up
100. Eat a Vegetable
101. Make a Sock Puppet

Related: 5 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

Related:  7 Ways to Spend More Time With Your Family

I mentioned earlier that I used GraphicStock – a free 7 day trial I might add – for my images.

What is GraphicStock?

GraphicStock is here to help with over 250,000 graphics and images, and just scrolling through the images will give you so many different creative ideas. Its users have made t-shirt designs with their images, wedding invitations, and even food decorations. Graphics aren’t just for the professional designer. They can be used in every day life.

Most people don’t know where to get images, and if you’re using google to grab images, you may be running into copyright issues. GraphicStock solves all those needs by giving you royalty free access to their vast library.

GraphicStock is simple to use, you just sign up for an account and start downloading the graphics you want.

If you don’t want to use GraphicStock past the free trial, you may cancel your subscription so you won’t have to pay for the membership.

For a limited time, you can purchase the one year membership of GraphicStock for $99 (a $588 value!)

How to win a free 1-year account with GraphicStock.com (valued at $588!)

1. Sign up for the 7-day free trial or the limited time $99 annual membership (a $588 value).
2. Visit GraphicStock website and locate an image you would like to use on an innovative project of your own.
3. Comment on this blog, sharing a link to the image that you would like to base your project around if you win.

You will then be entered to win a free 1-year account with GraphicStock.com (valued at $588!)

Project Ideas

Have you been avoiding a certain project because it appears to be daunting at first glance? Tackle these projects head on with the help of GraphicStock!

GraphicStock makes you feel inspired and relieved that a project once considered too difficult or too time consuming, will now be as easy as starting an account. Simply put, GraphicStock can help you be more creative in your every day life.

Which one of these project ideas would help you the most?

Idea#1: Amazing Decorations and Invitations – GraphicStock can help you create gorgeous invitations and decorations for your upcoming summer event, birthday party, wedding, or work event.

Idea #2: DIY Projects – GraphicStock is great for your DIY projects, to include:
• DIY Pendants
• Summer vacation photo albums
• Children’s crafts and cutouts
• Scrapbooks

Idea #3: Business Promotion – Need some creative materials and inspiration for your website or blog? GraphicStock saves you the time and energy of creating your own content with their database of 250,000 graphics and images!

_{Resources for Ideas 1-45:Chambana Moms, Ideas 46-70: Frugal Family, Ideas 71-101: Home Spun Threads}

Thanks to GraphicStock for sponsoring this project and inspiring me to create my own I’m Bored jar.

What do you do when the kids say I’m bored?