How long before your child proclaimed the dreaded “I’m bored” refrain during this current summer break? At my house it look about two full days before I heard those words every parent despises this time of year. My teenager (who really just needs a summer job) declared after two days of spiffying up the house and baking a few goodies that she was truly bored. Looking for ideas to keep her occupied over the next couple of months, I found these clever ideas to keep kids excited about their summer break. For even more ideas, log on to our Cheap Summer Fun board on Pinterest. 

Experiment time

Whether the kids are safely exploding soda bottles with a few Mentos of Pop Rocks candies or challenging friends to a soap bubble-blowing contest, there are dozens and dozens of science experiments online that will keep your kids completely fascinated. Teach your children how to make ice cream in a plastic baggie, make rainbow slime, create a solar oven perfect for cooking s’mores, make your own snow, create dry ice bubbles and even make a tornado in a bottle. With so many science experiment activities to enjoy, your kids are sure to impress even Bill Nye the Science Guy. 

Art class

There are a lot of beautiful pieces of art that can be created with a little imagination and a few Sharpie markers. For instance, you can craft your own tie-dye T-shirt. Grab a white shirt, your favorite Sharpie markers and some rubbing alcohol. Draw your design on the shirt and then dab on that alcohol and watch the colors bleed together beautifully. Take those same Sharpies and white ceramic mug and doodle to your heart’s content. Attach a letter, say J, to the mug and design around that letter. Remove it for a lovely, personalized mug. If you have any clear Solo plastic cups, you can also create your own version of stained glass. Simply paint the cups, place on coated foil and cook in a 350-degree oven for 3-4 minutes. Remove and immediately smash flat to create the design. 

Water fun 

When your kids are not only bored, but hot, too, it’s time for a little water play. Instead of merely taking the kids to the pool and telling them to splash around, create some fun games the kids can play while at the city pool. Start a lively game of Marco Polo, or Sharks and Minnows. Or if your kids want to splash around in the backyard, create your own splash park by creating fountains using PVC pipe, old 2-liter soda bottles and even old hula hoops. Don’t forget the pool noodles, too. They make great splash pad toys. Don’t want to drench the lawn? Play water games with water balloons instead. Water balloon volleyball, using old beach towels is always fun. A full-on water fight with water pistols and water balloons is always a great way to exercise while cooling off, too. 

— Jennifer Durrant, Daily Herald