Thursday, June 16, 2011

Preparing for those infamous summer words...


Mom, I'm boooorrredddd! There's nothing to do!
It's inevitable; you hear those words every summer. Some times, more than once a day! In order to keep potential whining to a minimum (and having every idea offered shot down with "Nah, I don't want to do that" and a curled up lip,) I scoured the internet for fun boredom busters.

Using as many ideas as I could find and adding as many as I could think up that would work at our house for my kiddos, I came up with 120 ideas for our "I'm Bored" jar.
(None of the ideas are chores since that's already part of their summer daily schedule and none are for 'away from home' activities since we build those into our week too. They are all at-home, we-have-the-stuff-on-hand, use-your-imagination, little-to-no-supervision-required activities.)

I typed the ideas into a label template (10 up, 3 across per sheet) using a cute, kid-type font (Andy for you fontaholics).

Then I trimmed scrap cardstock to 3" x 1.5" and affixed the labels.

Using a few more pieces of left-over scrapbook paper, I cut a circle to cover the lid and made a 3.75" band to go around the center of our container (a $0.25 clearance find at Staples a few years ago! I bought a bunch and have been using them to hold dipped pretzels as teacher and coach gifts at Christmas. I still have a few on hand and thought I could spare one for this project.) Then whipping out my handy-dandy Cricut and the Makin' the Grade cartridge, I cut out 1.5" letters (with the shadow) and stuck 'em on.

2 quick coats of semi-matte Mod Podge to keep it from getting too grimy from little fingers and some left-over ribbon on the handle finish it off! Best part---total cost = FREE since I had everything on hand. But if I would have had to go buy all the supplies then maybe a total of $2-$3. For a whine free summer, I'd say that's worth the investment!
The idea is that if the kids say they're bored, I'll whip out the jar and they'll get to pick a card. (Like how I spun that? They don't HAVE to pick a card, they GET to pick a card! It's all about marketing, eh?)
Whatever is on the card, they'll have to do! (With the understanding that if it's gorgeous outside and they pick an inside idea, they can pull again.) While I'm sure I'll hear those fateful words multiple times during summer vacation, at least I'll have an answer!



Linking up here!
and here:


This project was featured here

and here

22 comments:

  1. by the way, I spy the CM trimmer! I use CM scrapbooking products, too. a

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  2. I really like this idea! I think my son would love this. I'd love for you to come over and link this up to our Wicked Awesome Wednesday party.

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  3. Great idea--I so need to do this :)

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  4. This is a great rainy day "I'm bored" project all in itself! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I like the idea, sissy. Did you put in there "exiled to upstate New York with Aunt Kim?" send 'em up to me for a week!

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  6. Don't tempt me! They'll be on the first train! :)

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  7. Popping over from Handy Man and Crafty Woman. I will pass this on to my daughters with young ones. I love the look of your blog.
    QMM

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  8. Fabulous idea! I'll have three home soon and I think I'm going to do this :)

    This Tuesday I am hosting my weekly linky party called “20 minute Tuesdays”. It’s for projects that cost less than $10 and take 20-30 minutes. This project would be perfect! Would you consider linking up on Tuesday? http://sweetfloweret.blogspot.com
    PS: I have 30 spots left to receive a free button pony tailer! Check out the details here: http://sweetfloweret.blogspot.com/p/may-winners.html

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  9. Cute idea! Will remember it for when my kids are at that age!

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  10. What a wonderful idea! If I get started now, I'll have it done by the time my kids get old enough to need it! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Love this project! I just featured it at our Wicked awesome wednesday party. Come on over and grab an "I've been featured" badge if you'd like.

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  12. Love this idea. I love having my kids home, but this is definitely a huge help for those moments. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. This is such an adorable idea. Just wanted to let you know that I featured you on my Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party today. Stop by and grab a button, if you'd like.

    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/05/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_18.html

    DaNita

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  14. I LOVE this!!! Can't wait to do it!
    ~Terry
    www.mossandclover.blogspot.com

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  15. We have a similar thing at my house: Momma's Fun Box...and in it are pictures for my 5 year old of things that he has (toys in his room that maybe he's forgotten about)...he LOVES it. When he gets tired of what he's got to play with, he just asks to get Momma's Fun Box down...:-D Cute, huh? I love it!

    PS - Bored was such a bad word at my house when I was growing up! I learned to love reading (and still do)...too bad I don't get bored as an adult!

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  16. The link to the list is not working for me. Any ideas? I'd really like to see your list :)

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    1. The site is hosted by a friend and unfortunately got hacked. I don't know when it will be back up so I can email it to you, if you'd like.

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  17. I'd love to have a copy of the list as well if it's not too much to ask. Thanks in advance.

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  18. I'm interested in having a copy of the list as well if you don't mind. :) Thanks in advance. Great blog! (I just subscribed to the comments so I guess that's the way for me to receive the list?)

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    1. You show up in my email as a 'no-reply' addy. Can you send me your email address so I can get the list to you?

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  19. Just found you, but, Me too, Me too!! Can I have the link you your list?

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  20. I just found this blog, but Me Too, Me Too!! Can I have the link to see your list? Such a great idea!

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Your kind comments make me smile!

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