Cool ways to beat summer boredom

You don’t have to let the lazy summer days roll by without doing much if you’re at home during the holidays. Creating a bucket list can turn an ordinary, uneventful summer into a fun-filled, memorable one.

3 reasons to create a bucket list

• It offers an opportunity for the whole family to learn, explore, and try new things (and it’s a clever way to disguise education as fun).
• It fits into any budget as there are tons of things to do that are free or inexpensive.
• It encourages you to spend some quality time as a family.

Remember, though, that making a summer bucket list should not feel like a chore – it should serve as inspiration instead of a to-do list.

10 summer bucket list ideas 

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Choose a summer anthem: Decide on a theme song for summer and blast it throughout the holidays. Better yet, create a summer playlist with everyone’s suggestions.

Teach your kids the classics: Play frisbee. Jump rope. Fly a kite. Play hopscotch. Classic childhood games are not only simple to grasp and fun to play, but they also teach kids a host of skills.

Host an outdoor movie: While watching Netflix on the couch is tempting, stock up on popcorn, invite some friends over and set up a movie screen in the backyard.

Make a lunch date: Not everyone has the luxury of taking leave over the summer. So, let the kids prepare and pack a special lunch, then surprise mom or dad at work.

Try a new food: Food is fun and trying something new can be a great adventure. Explore a variety of different foods, colours and textures – you might discover a new family favourite!

Have a pool party: If you have a pool (or access to one), spend a lazy day by the poolside, playing Marco Polo, lounging on a pool float or having a cannonball competition. Remember to wear sunscreen!

Go Geocaching: Think of this as a modern-day treasure hunt. But, instead of a worn map marked with an X, you use a GPS, coordinates and clues to find a hidden cache of goodies. Download the free app from your chosen app store.

Make a family movie: Let the kids chronicle your family’s summer adventures or develop their own story for a fun summer project. Most phones have excellent video capabilities and there are various free editing programs online.

Try a new sport: Step out of your comfort zone and experiment with a new sport. From archery to zorbing, the options are endless! You just might uncover some hidden talents.

Travel local: You might not be able to spend your summer in an exotic location, but you can still get out of town for a day or two. Pick a place you’ve never been, preferably less than two hours away, and take a road trip.

Mom, I’m bored

The start of the summer holidays is a good time to create a “boredom jar”. The concept is simple: Take a jar – or any box, bucket or container – and let your kids help you fill it with activities and exercises for when they inevitably utter the words “I’m booored”. Brainstorm together, write the ideas on small pieces of paper or popsicle sticks, and pop them in the jar.

Some boredom jar ideas for younger children:

• Build a blanket fort or obstacle course.
• Draw a picture.
• Water the plants.
• Read for 15 minutes (or more).
• Play hide and seek (inside or outside).
• Have a Nerf gun battle.
• Make a list of things in and around the house that starts with each letter of the alphabet.
• Build some LEGO or a puzzle.
• Play a board game or invent your own.
• Play Swingball.

Some boredom jar ideas for tweens and teens:

• Bake something sweet or make ice cream floats.
• Create something you find on Pinterest.
• Write a song or poem, paint a picture or sketch.
• Give yourself or a sibling a fun makeover.
• Read.
• Take the dog for a walk.
• Rearrange (and declutter) your bedroom.
• Go on a photo walk.
• Customise an old piece of clothing.
• Start a bullet journal or blog.