| How many days or even hours into summer | | | | - Go to the roller skating rink. |
| break is it before you say "I'm bored. There's | | | | - Play a board game (list each board game on |
| nothing to do!" Before you roll your eyes and sigh | | | | separate pieces of paper.) |
| loudly, hoping Mom will get the hint, try this sanity | | | | - Read one chapter of a book. |
| saver: the Boredom Bowl. Choose a fish bowl, | | | | - Buy a new book. |
| hat, or any other container. This will be your | | | | - Go to the library. |
| Boredom Bowl. Now, try to think of a bunch of | | | | - Go to a park (name each of the parks |
| summertime activities. What do you love to do on | | | | separately.) |
| a hot summer day? Write on a piece of paper, | | | | - Dance. |
| fold it and drop it into the Boredom Bowl. It's that | | | | - Do a craft (list them specifically.) |
| simple. What could you do if it's raining or you do | | | | - Take a class through (community education or a |
| something horrid, like break your ankle? Write it | | | | hardware store, perhaps.) |
| down! Think of things that are free, cheap, or | | | | - Race Dad to the end of the block. |
| even that cost a few bucks. Write each one on a | | | | - Go for a bike ride. |
| separate piece of paper and put it in the bowl. | | | | - Play hopscotch on the sidewalk. |
| Keep the bowl and several small pieces of paper | | | | - Make up a story, one line at a time. |
| on your desk or near your bed, so that the | | | | - Take digital photos of all the family members |
| minute an idea pops into your head, you can write | | | | doing something goofy. |
| it down. Collect ideas and add to the bowl, so that | | | | - Make a collage from magazine pictures and |
| by the time summer is here, you are ready. | | | | words. |
| Whenever you think, "I'm bored!" reach in and pull | | | | - Volunteer to wash the windows at a disabled or |
| out a boredom buster. Then, do it! Some ideas | | | | elderly neighbor's house. Whining isn't really that |
| for boredom busters: | | | | much fun, but boredom stinks! The Boredom |
| - Go for a walk as a family (or with just one | | | | Bowl is a great way to get rid of both. |
| chosen family member.) | | | | |