There comes a time midsummer when the novelty of the school break is wearing off and you may find yourself in need of some new entertainment tricks. Once our kids entered the primary years we found the best way to kick the blahs was activities that gave them a sense of independence and responsibility. Nothing like a mission when you are feeling aimless …
Rediscovering the ‘hood: A few years ago we read an article about how car-bound kids today often don’t even know their way around their own neighbourhood. Because this played on a secret fear of ours we took action, and the result has become a popular family activity. We pick a location they can walk to in 20 minutes or so, and print off a map showing home base and the final destination (no directions marked). Their mission: plot the route (different there and back) and lead the walk.
Cooking up a storm: On one particularly trying afternoon we put the ingredients, equipment, and recipe for chocolate chip cookies on the table and told our 8-year-old to call us when the cookies were ready to go in the oven. His sense of accomplishment was not one whit diminished by being able to tell people he thought they would have been even better if mum hadn’t overcooked them. Looking to expand their cooking repertoire? We love this series of cookbooks for kids.
Horticultural deliberations: Give them a bulb catalogue, a budget (a little spending power goes a long way), and some highlighters, and you’ll be amazed at the results: charts, the relative value of the single expensive bulb versus the cheaper multi-pack, and what colours go together. Just don’t forget to place their order – they’ll never let you live it down. Bonus: when the bulbs arrive you’ve got another activity!
Of course, because children are capricious creatures, boredom can rear its ugly head one minute and be gone the next. And when faced with the craving for a change of pace , it’s good to have something novel to offer.
We’d love to hear from you: Which “missions” give your kiddos purpose when boredom sets in?
My kids and I have made it our mission to visit every park in the city. We printed a map (from the city website) and check off the parks as we visit them. We try and bike there, but gems like Everett Crowley are too far. We have checked off 80% of the city parks and have found a few favourites.