Fridge List
Make a list of things to do that require little or no supervision from mom or dad and put it on the fridge. When Jr. starts whining about being b-o-r-e-d (A word that is banned in our house!) they can choose from the list. The trick is that once they are referred to the list, they HAVE to do something on the list before they bother mom or dad. The last item on the list should always be "Take a nap". Truly it's the most popular one. I have used this for years and sometimes kids just don't realize they are tired until they see this!
You can walk around your house for ideas, but here is one to get you started. I'll try to keep it from being too "girl" or too "boy"-- you can make different lists for each child if you wish.
1. Decorate the back patio with sidewalk chalk
2. Make a daisy chain
3. Take some blank paper and envelopes and decorate your own stationary
4. Get some magazines out of recycling and make a collage
5. Have a tea party with your friend or teddy
6. Paint the dog's toenails
7. Make a border for your room with continuous paper
8. Play with Barbies/Airplanes
9. Measure 10 things with a ruler
10. Get out your last year's school things and play school
11. Make a calendar
12. Decorate bookmarks, "laminate" with clear packing tape
13. Write a poem about something in the yard
14. Blow bubbles or take a bubble bath
15. Make a keytag to hang on your booksack - bead animal, letter beads with your name, or a scripture verse on construction paper then laminated with tape and a hole poked through
16. Make cookies (from a mix, with easy-bake oven, or from scratch)
17. Organize sock drawer
18. Write a play and produce it
19. Make a castle from toilet paper tubes and boxes in recycling
20. Write a letter to a cousin or grandma
21. Illustrate a story - write then color pictures to go with it
22. Find a scripture verse you like and type it on the computer/typewriter or write with fancy letters and color
23. Cut out hearts and hide them for loved ones to find around the house
24. Play with toy soldiers outside
25. Make a snack with fruit and vegetables
26. Take pictures with digital camera (with permission)
27. Call a friend
28. Look up your favorite animal in the encyclopedia or dictionary
29. Find your house on a map
30. Make a boredom kit for the car or for a friend. Include word searches, "mad libs", drawings to color, and supplies if you have them
31. Fluff up all the pillows in the house
32. Make a birthday card for a friend
33. Play with legos/duplos/building sets/lincoln logs/tinkertoys
34. Play a game (Chutes and Ladders, Checkers)
35. Make a list of movies/books you own. Put them in alphabetical order. Make a list of movies/books you would like to own.
36. Make a Christmas/Birthday list
37. Make animals out of pipe cleaners
38. Change your bed
39. Have a picnic
40. Read a book
41. Make something with Origami paper
42. Pick some flowers in the yard, put in vase
43. Do a secret good deed :)
44. Look in your Scout book and decide on something you can finish today/Work on your collection
45. Decorate old socks for a puppet show
46. Sing a song
47. Look through your old books, find 3 to donate; or find clothes you have outgrown to donate
48. Play a musical instrument in the house or outside.
49. look at old pictures or scrapbooks
50. Take a nap
Change out the list occasionally, adding and subtracting things that are suitable. If you have two lists, you don't usually have to worry all summer. :) Add things like Count your money... stack books as high as you can then put away...blow up balloons-- make moments that are easy photo bait. Take pictures of them doing cool stuff and the grandparents are sure to think you are the best mom ever!
1 comment:
I kept forgetting to get the list from you....I just printed it!! :)
your awesome!!!
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