5 books and boredom busters
Summer will soon be in full swing, which means grandmas, moms, aunts and others will likely have more time with the kids. And likely more time for kids to complain of being bored. That also means, though, that you have more opportunities to wow the wee ones and combat those unnerving "I'm bored" complaints.
Here are a few ideas for preventing the boredom blues, featuring one of my favorite things: books. Try them out on your summer charges, let me know how it goes, and feel free to share in the comments any boredom busters you might have up your sleeve.
Book: Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Rinker. Cement Mixer, Excavator, Dump Truck and more all work oh-so hard during the day then tuck themselves in at night, resting up for the next day's work. Bubby loved this picture book featuring some of his all-time favorite trucks.
Boredom buster: Take a trip to a nearby construction site to watch (from afar) the work vehicles doing their jobs. Younger kids may want to bring along their toy trucks of a similar sort; older kids may enjoy having a pair of binoculars on hand to get an up-close look at the action.
Book: There's a Dragon in the Library by Dianne de Las Casas. This clever tale tells of Max and his visions of a dragon during story time at the library. Is there really a dragon in the library or is it just his imagination? And how can he convince Mom, the librarians and Officer Riley that there really is a dragon in the library.
Boredom buster: Head to the library, of course, and seek out books about dragons, along with any others of interest to youngsters in tow. While there — or, better yet, before going — find out what activities are lined up at the library, where summer programs for kids are often a highlight of summer. They sure were for my girls when they were young.
Book: Amazon Alphabet by Johnette Downing. This colorful adventure takes kids of all ages from A to Z through the Amazon, introducing familiar folk such as frogs and jaguars, as well as the unfamiliar including the caiman and quetzal. Facts and features accompany each alphabetic selection.
Boredom buster: Zoo time! Many zoos have an Amazon Rainforest feature where kids can enjoy an A-to-Z scavenger hunt of things featured in the book. If your local zoo doesn't have such an exhibit, enjoy an A-to-Z hunt of other animals. If schedules, weather, or budgets nix a zoo visit, use the pictures in the book as inspiration for drawing Amazon animals for creating your own rainforest in your backyard or home.
Book: Grandma's Bag of Tricks: Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars by Sharon Lovejoy. This book truly isn't just for grandma's as it comes in quite handy for anyone looking for activities for kids. With an older child, peruse the awesome options for fun, from restaurant night at home, to pinecone bird feeders, to fairy tea parties, tin-can bands and more. For little ones, pick and choose any of the many perfect for toddlers.
Boredom buster: Not too hard to figure this one out as there are more than 130 activities to choose from. The hard part is making a choice. Consider having the child make a list of the ones you want to tackle together throughout the summer or a visit.
Book: Meet Einstein by Mariela Kleiner. This book may be designated as for youngsters ages 2-4, but it's a safe bet that older kids will appreciate the straightforward introduction to one of the all-time great scientists. In addition to the story, the inside front and back covers include a pictorial rundown of all the tools needed for scientific exploration: goggles, beakers, nets for catching butterflies, gloves to "protect my fingers from sticky and icky things," and more.
Boredom buster: The book outlines some of Einstein's great scientific discoveries related to light and gravity. Come up with a few experiments involving light — using flashlights, lightbulbs, fire, rainbows — and gravity — any manner of things that go up then come down (spills, jumping in the air) or go up but don't come down (balloons, kites). As the book notes, even preschoolers can grasp the concepts of light and gravity. "Help them make the connection in everything they see and do, and teach them that science is all around them."
Good to know: Clicking on the book covers will provide more information on the books. They are NOT affiliate links, and I earn nothing by you clicking on them. And in the interest of full disclosure, I purchased the Toad Cottages and Construction Site books myself; the others were sent to me for free by the publishers, with no obligation to review or write about them and no compensation for doing so.
Today's question:
Fill in the blank: When I get bored, I ___________________.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Reader Comments (11)
Lots of great ideas for smaller kids, Lisa. When they're a bit older they're more prone to complain even if you go out of your way for them. When I was a kid we were packed off to the beach with PPJ sandwiches, Kool-Aid and a towel. If there was a parent there, they were buried in a book. As a g-pop, I'm taking a page out of that book. I decided not to run around after everyone and relieve boredom. They need to find ways to use imagination, friend contacts, and learn to bust their own boredom. I take them to the park or beach and watch but there the hands on ends -for the most part.
Me, I'm never bored. I've always got something to occupy my thoughts, hands and mind.
I'm rarely bored, there is always something to do. If I do get bored it's at work from having to do the same task for hours on end, but that doesn't happen too often, thankfully. When it does happen I get up and take a quick walk, then back to task because it has to get done.
Great post with the books and ideas!! Makes me wish I had little kids... Almost.
This a great resource, Lisa- thanks for putting it together. I've already ordered one of the books. When my daughter was about 8, she and her friends complained of being bored. "Sit down" said my husband and whipped out a flip chart. They brainstormed ideas of what they could do and he wrote down every idea. Then he taped the 6 pages to the wall and said "Bored is a decision. Make a different one!" I have my own busters too, like reading, archiving family photos, making photo books or planning my next adventure. Life is too short to be bored.
When I get bored it just means I'm tired so I take a nap. For pure relaxation, I read.
When I get bored I whine. Then after I get bored with whining, I find something to do. Haven't been bored lately with all the studying. And then there's the writing, my escape from everything.
When I get bored... I eat!
Great ideas.....definitely taking my granddaughter to the library this summer.
After taking Charlie to his weekly Story Time at Barnes and Noble, I took note of a book that seemed to entice him to "stay put and listen." We purchased it, and he asks us to read it constantly. So if you're up to reading books over and over, I think this one will do it: "You're Finally Here" by Melanie Watt. It's about a bunny who impatiently waits for his readers to visit. The ending is a bit of a surprise.
NOTE: Charlie is 16 months, but the other children (through age 5 most likely) were also very attentive during the reading of this book.
those look like some great books, when I get bored? I fall asleep :)
Great ideas. We have a reading program once a week at our library that the grand-kids love. It really helps.
When I get bored in the daytime I craft something. At night I read when I get bored. Most of the time I'm doing something to keep from getting bored.... My youngest grandaughter always wants me to tell her stories of when I was a young girl. Those are her favorites. Mommy and Daddy read the ones from books to her. They have enough books to fill a library for kids. My daughter remembers how I read to her and the other kids and wants her children to experience the same joy she had as a child. Whether from a book or from life itself getting kids interested in reading is one of those pay it forward type of things.. I'm so glad you posted this just in time for the library's summer session for kids.
I ordered the "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" book for my grandsons yesterday! I got an e-mail from Chronicle books about it and knew it would be perfect for them as a bedtime story.
I'm honestly never bored! I love to read and always have a book or magazine with me wherever I go and there is always something I have to do around the house whenever I have free time. and living in NYC there is always someplace to go!