Last year my friend Linette gave our family a "Mom, I'm Bored" jar. My three youngest girls used this jar nearly every day for weeks. The older ones even delved into the jar at times.
Last summer I needed all the help I could get to keep our household running smoothly and the "Mom, I'm Bored" jar was a real help. It prompted activities and creative play that I would have never thought up.
Linette's Mom, I'm Bored" jar has over 300 ideas for children ages 4-12. All the ideas are things that can be done at home. (You won't find "go to the park.") The ideas include craft projects, a games, an outside activity, or a chore. Only a few activities are duplicated.
I placed an empty jar beside the "Mom, I'm Bored" jar to place the used activity papers in. Even though we used the jar hard last summer, I think we have more than half the slips unread, so we have many new activities for this summer before we begin repeating.
Younger children may need help with some of the activities. Older children will be able to complete the activities alone. My nine-year-old teamed up with my younger girls and could do nearly everything on their own.
Most of the activities use supplies that can be found around your house, so are basically free. Linette includes a list of supplies so you can purchase a few of the items that might not be found at your house. (And she blessed me by including a bag full of goodies when she gave me the jar.)
Linette offers her "Mom, I'm Bored" kits which include thirteen colorful pages with over 300 activities, a supply list, and a vinyl decal for your jar. (She'd rather not ship a breakable jar so you can choose your own jar.) All you need to do is cut apart the papers, pop them into your own jar, and turn it over to the children in your life. The cost is $10 with free shipping in the US.
Linette has offered to give away a free kit to one Home Joys reader.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment giving a summer activity your children (or grandchildren or nieces and nephews or neighbors...) enjoy. Please include your email address so I can contact you.
To purchase your own kit, email Linette at randyandlinette @ aol.com (no spaces, of course). Write "boredom jar" on the subject line with your name, address, how many kits you want, and payment preference (check/credit/paypal) and Linette will give the details.
All the photos in this post were taken by Linette. Giveaway is open to US residents for one week. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
This looks like so much fun! My 4 boys love to play in the sprinklers on hot summer day. -Rebecca (My email: itsjustreba@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win. My three youngest children (10, 11, 12) love to visit Shawnee State Park.
ReplyDeleteMy kids LOVE the water! It doesn't matter if it's a kiddie pool or community pool as long as they can splash! This kit looks awesome to a fellow mom with 6 kids. betsywright06 @ Hotmail . com
ReplyDeleteA boredom jar sounds like a good idea! My children enjoy impromptu picnics during the summer. Sarah mksauder@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy kids enjoy playing in the creek in the summer.
ReplyDeleteMy older boys love playing in the sprinkler nearly every day! We finished school Friday and already they are at loose ends for what to do. I would love to give this a try. :) calebandluella @ yahoo.com -Luella Krabill
ReplyDeleteTerrific, creative idea. It could probably be used as a Homeschool “ what to do while waiting” tool as well in between activities or for early finishers.
ReplyDeleteWe love to re read Beatrix Potter each summer from a huge anthology we have. -Andrea
Msgreeneyes@gmail.com-
This is such a great idea! My 3 oldest children love playing in and with water. Mattandhadassah@embarqmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'd also love to win this! My children love water ... I give them each a bucket and things to dump with and they are happy. Or a bucket of water and a paintbrush. :) Email: kws05 @ mail.com
ReplyDeleteOne of the things my children like to do is go out to the garden and pick vegetables to make their own personal salads. Last week my 4 year old made a salad for my supper... several lettuce leaves and spring onions. :)
ReplyDeleteRachel
Water...buckets or water, sprinkler, kiddie pool, slip and slide, or finding something dirty that needs scrubbing by the hose...if it’s water then all 5 of my kids will join and play!! I’d love to get a Bored Jar!! I think my kids will love it more even more than me! �� shawnandmelanie @ Gmail
ReplyDeleteOur granddaughter loves to go to the zoo. The zoo in Omaha is a really nice one and our son-in-law gets a pass through his job so it’s very economical for them too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
queenbetsy2@gmail.com
I find it is more difficult to keep my grandchildren entertained than it was with my own kids. Times sure have changed ! They do love to ride bikes and swim. I think they would use this more than agreeing to my suggestions! midgetmama51@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Gina, thank you for this opportunity! My daughter, Timber, loves to paint and run through the sprinklers and read...you name it, she loves it. Please enter me into your giveaway.
ReplyDeletemaryalicelucius@gmail.com
Any help us parents can get it golden.
Alice
My children love to swim. This boredom jar sounds like such a good idea! Marlene(mahmar@frontier.com)
ReplyDeleteSwimming & fishing.
ReplyDeleteMy children enjoy playing with and in water. They also enjoy playing in the woods...building cabins and forts. Catherine nevinandcatherine@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteSince we have temps in the 90s, water is a favorite right now!
ReplyDeleteclintbevzimm@gmail.com
I love this idea. If I would win I would give it to a friend whos hubby also has brain cancer. I think her four little ones would love it. thanks
ReplyDeleteswimming & fishing lhilty1@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteMy children love to swim. Id love to win this jar! Marlene (mahmar@frontier.com)
ReplyDeleteSwimming in the pond, wading in the creek, water balloons, reading, climbing trees... andycharity@aol.com
ReplyDeleteRunning through the sprinkler! Games of sorry and battleship. Building and playing in their little huts in the woods. Nothing fancy! ;)Rosene mohntonmonkeys@ dejazzd. Com
ReplyDeleteMy grandchildren can amuse themselves for a longtime with a box of chalk and a driveway.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! Sounds like just the thing a busy mom needs when her creativity needs some inspiration! Our children like playing with water balloons, and we have a very colorful back yard right now. :) Karen
ReplyDeleteThe present hobby at our house is playing with the five cute kittens! This jar looks like an excellent idea! noahfaith1123@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy children love setting up their play tent outdoors. keith.audis@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy 4 grandchildren, ages 3-11 like swimming in our large water tank. My husband bought it at our local farm store just for the kids to swim. Have enjoyed reading your blog for many years.
ReplyDeleteMy email address is DHase07@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThis is an adorable idea! My daughter's 4 homeschooled kids love anything outdoors!! They garden and fish, raise chickens, climb trees....and on and on. I'm sure their mom would appreciate this. Especially on rainy days!!! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I’d had this when my children were younger! What a wonderful idea!!
ReplyDeleteMy grandchildren love playing on our swing set and playing in the driveway stones, just like their parents. :) Makes this grammy very happy.
ReplyDeleteGreat tool for moms! My dau. Lives when I buy cheap dollar dish soap and they spread it on the trampoline combined w water from hose or sprinkler and have a slippery sliding fun time!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI started reading your blog several years ago. I think the can beans without soaking or pre cooking was what did it. :)
But yes this is the first I’ve commented. My mom gave us something similar (all her own ideas) and our 6-year-old absolutely loves it. He’s gone through ours at least 3 x and so if I don’t win a giveaway, your friend is getting another order! His birthday is in a month!
Thanks for making home duties not just that but also joys. God bless
Putting buckets of water all over the yard and blasting each other with water squirters is a favorite summer activity...much preferred over the dreaded silo plastic at the bottom of the slide with water hose at the top potential disaster. hollyinmaryland@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy children love playing in the creek or better yet if I take them to the pond! But I have heard, "Mom I'm bored!" mariafaithmartin@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAnything with water. Today my boys used masking tape on the carpet to make an outline of tgeit feilds for their tractors. crystalzeiset@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy nieces and nephew love swinging, painting, playing ball, riding strike, going for walks, reading stories...and more. But new ideas are always good.
ReplyDeletedejoybee@juno.com
My daughter enjoys doing the summer reading program at the library and taking swimming lessons. M
ReplyDeleteOOPS, just realized I did not answer the question! Feel free to discard my other comment. ;) A summer activity my kids love is going to our local nature center. Lots of animals to see, and other cool science displays! We have a membership so we are able to go fairly often.
ReplyDeleteRiding bike,swimming & reading.
ReplyDeletekookinkris@gmail.com
Ooh my 4 year old would love this! Right now she's been enjoying water outside since it's so hot.
ReplyDeleteEmail kerrahoover @ yahoo.com
They are looking forward to swimming! joyfulnotes1223@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteWell my baby girl is only 4 months old so right now her favorite activity is playing with her toes!!
ReplyDeleteredoylyn@yahoo.com
My children love swimming during the summer, and making slime....let's not forget that. :) I love this idea!
ReplyDeleteMary Landis
eatmoreeggs75@frontier.com
Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteMy son thoroughly enjoys looking for worms under rocks to feed to the chickens. thesass@gmail.com
A great idea! My oldest, a 7 year old, needs ideas during “quiet time”. Her favorite lately is writing letters to her out of state cousins. My 4 year old boy loves to color by number when it’s raining. Otherwise he is outside riding bike with his sister ripstiking. Both like to do puzzles. Chores of dishwasher, laundry, sweeping porches, feeding cats, watering plants, etc. thehorstpack@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWater, water and more water!! Usually it starts with one sibling "surprising" another with a full, cold bucket on a hot day. The party continues from there!
ReplyDeletemheisey7@comcast.net
How fun!
ReplyDeleteI just started my 3-year-old on "painting" outside with a bucket of water and a paintbrush. She loves it.
Swimming, eating popsicles, playing ball to name a few :)
ReplyDeleteKaseyjolynn@gmail.com
Playing in the water, sandbox, sidewalk chalk, reading , drawing. I expect boredom to hit when the newness of Summer vacation wears off, so please enter me in the drawing! Curtisnkendra@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSuper idea! My 4 are ages 14,12,10, and 8. Anything involving water is always loved! About everyday you’ll find them getting wet in one form or another. A favorite is to set the sprinkler under the trampoline and squirt dish soap all over the mat and start jumping/slipping/sliding! They can do that for a long time!! We do have an enclosure on our trampoline. Legos are a favorite indoor activity. A couple of them love to make and create in the kitchen.....if mama sacrifices!! ☺️ Would love to win!
ReplyDeleteCamping has always been a family favorite. This summer "Marlita's twins"will be be with us several days a w week, we might need some boredom busters for them.
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I like to walk Ikea and "window shop" when we've exhausted all of our activities. carolinabuckeye3@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteOh great idea! My boys love anything water! Swimming in Grandpa's pond. At home, squirting water with empty ketchup or syrup bottles.
ReplyDeleteMy kids love doing the summer reading challenge at the library.
ReplyDeleteBusymomkh @gmail.com
My children enjoy playing in the sprinkler in the summer time! We would love to win this.
ReplyDeleteweberme@mail.gvsu.edu
My daughter loves to play in the water and in the sandbox or help me in the garden. news4vina @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOur summer will be lots of library books, popsicles, swimming, and making sweet memories :)
ReplyDeleteCrystal
lifeabundant02@gmail.com
Swimming in the creek, gardening, water battles, step by step drawing, impromptu picnics. Rodnjeanie at verizon.net
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea!! Our children love to swim or anything water related! :). Email is lukenchelle06@juno.com
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your blog. We traveled the cancer journey with my dear Mom 6 years ago so my heart hurts for and with anyone who has to deal with this horrible illness. Hugs to you ❤️
My children enjoy watching and trying to count the fireflies at night...and collecting bugs during the day! God bless! kimberlylambdin @ reagan. com
ReplyDeleteOur children love taking a picnic lunch to the creek. Homemade popsicles are also a winner! ramast2006@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea. My grandchildren are 12, 9 and 7. They love to decorate their bike wheels with crepe paper and make streamers for the handlebars.
ReplyDelete6wicks@comcast.net
Fill a bucket with a little bit of water and dissolve a piece of sidewalk chalk in it. Hand them a paint brush and let them paint the porch. The chalk shows up so much brighter when wet! Thank goodness it washes off.
ReplyDeletebrintbyers@pa.net
Awesome idea!! You just saved my afternoon!
DeleteMy children love to make popsicles. All sorts of flavors ��! The best part, eating them!
ReplyDeleteMy children love to bake during the summer!
ReplyDeleteMy children love the kiddie pool and popsicles on hot summer days! larrynmaria10@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNumber #1 thing I hear them asking for is to go swimming.
ReplyDeletenrfaus2000@gmail.com
Since we now live where it's colder, water is out of the picture. My children love to jump on the trampoline, ride bike, climb trees, bake and fish ect. The list is endless but they do get bored because we also have more rainy days here @ arcticanabaptist.blog
ReplyDeleteweaverfamily2002 at gmail dot com
My grandchildren love to swim at the pool here but i would love to have a jar like this when they visit to keep them off their I-pods. Thank you. Nancy bobnanmol at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! iowaebersolefamily@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAnything to do with water!! Also playing with pups or kittens. debmar89@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fun!!! My children love water fights and recently have been finding rocks to paint. Would love more ideas!
ReplyDeleteBethann Kauffman kauffmancrew@gmail.com
My kids enjoy swimming, kayaking on the pond and running through the sprinkler in the summertime.
ReplyDeletedoublejoys@msn.com
My boys love to go swimming after they come in all hot and sweaty from working outside. Okiesmiller@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy children are still young, but this would be wonderful to have! Right now they love play dough, finger painting, and their card table house. mgoering793@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy children enjoy doing 1,000 pc. puzzles, even in summer:) Would love more ideas! justin.higgins29@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOur children have spent hours making paper chains out of cheap construction paper. (Dollar Tree) Maryann H petermaryann@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSwimming and water play top the list at our house. They also spend time reading, riding bike, and playing doll. I have heard the word bored too many times at my house recently, and school has only been out for one week! Perhaps the jar would jumpstart their imaginations.
ReplyDelete43farmall@gmail.com
My children like to Ride bike and swing. They don't use the phrase " I'm bored" in my hearing because they know I'll find more work for them. I'm sure they would find this jar interesting. Maybe we will win!
ReplyDeleteMy email is brosscoffeetime@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful resource. I cant have children but I would love to gift this to my neighbor. They (neighbor girls) like to jump on their trampoline or lie on it to watch the clouds. (agoconnor74@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteMy kids like a scavenger hunt... pick 5 flowers, find 3 feathers, a heart-shaped rock, 4 different weeds...
ReplyDeleteSwimming and reading is what my children do all summer long!
ReplyDeletewlbontrager@yahoo
Now you know how to get all of us to comment...host a giveaway! My boys are quite small yet, but they enjoy digging in the dirt with their toy construction equipment. They also love to be given buckets of water and old toothbrushes to clean their toys. I like clean toys too! davencarla2012@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe go to the library a lot in the summer. I know that’s just another “go” which gets harder the more littles you have to buckle in - but it’s cool, quiet and entertaining at our library, and we don’t get tired of new books around the house!
ReplyDeleteshakingthenickelbush@gmail.com
We love visiting the library and swimming over the summer!! I've seen this jar and it looks intriguing! Deandeniseocker@yahoo.com Thanks for a fun giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteriding down our driveway hill on the express wagon
ReplyDeletesrhorst03@gmail.com
riding bike is an all time favorite:) nelnreg@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe live in Kenya...my children like to listen to audio stories on rainy afternoons. Kenyakurtzs@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe usually just stay at home and garden during the summer, but all of my kids love playing basketball and playing on their swingset. Soccer and water balloons are also favorites.
ReplyDeleteAnything water in the summer!...or playing in their playhouse and sandbox.
ReplyDeleterjmartin90@gmail.com
Would love this for our great grandchildren. loraeging@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy children love painting with REAL paint, sanding wood and hammering nails....and anything else I love to do!! sewshana@outlook.com
ReplyDeleteMy children love jumping on the trampoline with a sprinkler underneath. School has only been out a few days and I've already heard "Mom what can we do?!!" louisenolt@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy children love to build a little campfire and practice their outdoor cooking skills. weyoders@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSuch a neat idea! Hard to pick a favorite but my children love going to the library & more time to read, swimming, and family bike rides on a local bike trail.
ReplyDeleteRodenbeck2003@juno(dot)com
Fun idea! I don't have kids, just nephews, so I'm not exactly eligible. Both their parents work full time, so this would be a great purchase for their Mimi (my mom), who babysits on the days the boys don't have activities and need to stay out of grandpa's last few hairs. Amy amyliabdla@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe love laying on the ground, looking at the clouds, trying to see an object/person/animal in the clouds. Thanks for the chance to win. cnrclc@teleclipse.net
ReplyDeleteWe've really been ongoinge fishing at my father-in-law's lake this year. The jar sounds amazing! sukuimashta@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteOur children love swimming and playing with clay or play dough. Would love to win this!
ReplyDeleteIn the summer, Our children love to run through the sprinkler, or enjoy a 50 ft. Waterslide that is only heavy duty plastic sheets from Lowe's! Puzzles, and books are favorite pastimes! -Rosy
ReplyDeleteverrose94@gmail.com
This jar sounds like a great idea for my 10, 8, & 5 yr old!They enjoy running through the sprinkler and making/eating homemade popsicles! knjnolt@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe jar sounds great! My boys (11,8,4) like playing ball in the yard.
ReplyDeletenevjo.2001@gmail.com
My children enjoy swimming or other water-based play in the summer. These jars seem like a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteOur children loved playing in the sprinkler on the trampoline. I would love to win this for my 3 very energetic grandsons who keep them mom hopping to find new ideas for them! Thanks for a great idea- if I don't win, maybe I can buy this for them! stritefamily@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy children enjoy swimming especially on warm summer days! Wisefam2003@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy two daughters enjoy swimming, running through the sprinkler, and other wet activities on hot summer days!
ReplyDeletecwharter@windstream.net
A jar full of ideas sounds like a wonderful help for a busy mom! My girls would love this! They enjoy playing in the sprinkler, or playing with their dolls out under the shade tree. ldkdjk180@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great idea. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI just love this idea!!! My son loves eating lunch on the back deck, playing in the sandbox or the water and the popsicles I make by freezing grape juice(unsweetened)! janellelehman88@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe have 6 children about the ages of your 6; and it takes creativity to keep them all busy. They all like to read, and also, swim, and play outside.
ReplyDeletefoxyfarmers@gmail.com posted that comment
ReplyDeleteMy 3 year old loved helping with canning tomatoes, green beans and potatoes. I'll let her snap or cut the beans, take the blanched tomatoes out of the water or hand me a potato to chop. emilymsmith@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea! We love making a summer bucket list together when school gets out each year. It always includes things like picking blueberries, making a slip n slide and going for ice cream. This year we added Making homemade pop tarts and getting our first puppy. Love that this jar gives them ideas to do on their own! ally.garrison@gmail.com
ReplyDelete