After scouring the entire internet ( well, maybe not the WHOLE thing but at least 30 minutes worth) for summer activities for the financially challenged (BROKE), I have found many different lists with the same useless ideas listed over and over and over…. If doing a jigsaw puzzle, or reading a book actually entertained a bored child, I wouldn’t be looking up ideas on the internet in the first place. After giving up on finding the kind of list that might be in any way helpful I decided to write my own. While some of these suggestions may be a bit unconventional ( I believe that is the politically correct term for completely INSANE), I have tried and had some luck with each. And strange or not I did not copy the same ridiculous tips on every other list I have read. If your kid will sit and read a book, or go on a picnic, or make crafts from popsicle sticks this list is not for you (and I hate you with a blinding passion….sorry, I drifted for a minute there)— this list is for people who have actually had to use Windex to clean up a stain from an orange soda spill… on the dog, or had their child emerge from another room after a few very rare hours of quietly entertaining themselves only to casually point out that we never did get around to equipping the new house with fire extinguishers. FYI— I still have no idea what may have prompted that observation due to my strict policy to never ask questions that I do not really want answered. Yeah I am THAT kind of mom.
***DISCLAIMER– I have a 10 year old boy so guess what? Most of my ideas are for older children who might also happen to be boys. ***
1). Teach your little darling how to use Photoshop because adding red glowing eyes and devil horns on pictures of your mom never gets old– apparently.
2). Taking and uploading videos to You Tube can be fun too. There can be lots of everyday activities that would make good video subject matter. * see #6
3). Having your child start his or her own blog to keep up with friends from school, or it can just be a topical blog on their favorite hobby (collecting, video games, anything ). Having them write their own blog posts can be a sneaky way to teach them about computers and improve writing skills without them even realizing it.
4).Teach your kid how to play chess. Okay fine- it was poker. I can’t really even justify this as educational but being a good poker player is something that may come handy one day and I suck at chess anyway.
5). Challenge him to a video game. Because it is hard to whine about being bored when you are rolling around on the floor laughing about how much your mom sucks at video games. Wii games, RockBand and Dance Dance revolution are the best because even if you are good you still will look ridiculous.
Smarter is Easier 