This is a guest post by Emily of Bestow blog. Read more about Emily at the end of this post.
As summer keeps on, it can be hard to continue thinking of fresh and fun activity ideas for your kids. Bored jars are a perfect way to find an activity for your kids!
Especially as social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19 are being enforced throughout the country, it can be hard to find at-home fun that will keep your kids engaged and excited.
That’s where a bored jar comes in. Bored jars are a fun resource that kids can turn to when they are in need of fun activity ideas — and all you need is a mason jar!
How to make a bored jar
To get started, first grab a jar, shoebox, coffee tin or anything else that can hold your activity ideas inside. You can make the jar decoration stage an activity in itself by having your kids use paint, markers, stickers or other decorations to make the jar their own.
Make it extra personal by adding a label with your kid’s name!
Bored jar activities
When the jar is created, it’s time to fill it with fun activities. You can print out printable activity ideas or write your own on slips of paper or popsicle sticks.
Drop the ideas into your bored jar then have kids pull one out whenever they’re feeling bored.
We’ve come up with a list of fun activities you can use to get started:
- 30 minutes of TV time
- Make a pillow fort
- Finger painting
- Make masks out of paper plates
- Draw with your left hand
- Play dress up
- Have a picnic
- Call a relative
- Make a puppet show with dolls or socks
- 30 minutes of computer time
- Play a board game
- Pillow fight
- Play hide-and-seek
- Play tag
- Do a handstand
- Run outside for 15 minutes
- Have a crab walk race
- Climb a tree
- Have a dance party
- 1 hour of video games
- Have a thumb wrestling battle
- Make an obstacle course
- Plant a seedling
- Learn the alphabet in a different language
- Play basketball
- Play soccer
- Play kickball
- Draw a picture
- Create your own board game
- Make paper airplanes
- Make a collage from magazines
- Do a puzzle
- Make a musical instrument
- Draw a comic book
- Create a time capsule
- Read for 1 hour
- Watch an educational movie
- Make slime
- Learn the alphabet backwards
- Recreate a classic art piece
- Make a scrapbook
- Go bird watching
- Write a short story
- Write a poem
- Draw a constellation
- Draw your favorite animal
- Draw the solar system
- Ride your bike for 1 hour
- Make our family tree
- Count to 10 in a different language
Should you add chores?
Adding productive household activities such as household chores to your bored jar can be a good way to get your kid involved in household operations.
Have younger children? Check out these 25 chores for toddlers!
Consider adding an incentive like treats or prizes for completed chores, so your kids are always excited to pick one out!
- Wash the car
- Sweep the kitchen
- Clean the windows
- Vacuum the floors
- Clean the bathroom
- Clean your bedroom
- Pull weeds in the garden
- Sweep the hallway
- Clean your closet
- Make your bed
Printable Activities
A good list of activities can take your bored jar to the next level. Plus, many activities can be opportunities for your kids to learn fun new skills that will help them grow.
Here are some printable activities you can use for your bored jars.
Create and perform a puppet show
Puppet shows are a fun activity that allows your kid to be creative and flex their artistic skills. You can have your kids make their own puppets or use printables ones, then attach the puppets to straws or sticks.
Create a makeshift stage, gather the family and have everyone sit down to watch the puppet show!
Plant an herb or vegetable
Gardening not only fosters a love of the outdoors, but can also teach kids patience and responsibility.
Have your kids color in garden labels for a fun art project that will also help organize your garden, then use printable growth trackers to watch your seeds as they grow.
Easy herbs and veggies for kids to grow are basil, beets and radishes.
Make a time capsule
Time capsules are a fun way to get your kid to be thankful for their current life and excited about the future.
First get a tin or box that can withstand being buried, then fill it with fun objects from your day-today and a letter to your future self. Decide on a time that your family will dig up the capsule then plant somewhere in your backyard.
Keep It Fresh
Bored jars can help your kids stay excited and engaged during the summer. To keep it even more fresh, swap out some of the activities in the jar every month so your kids will always be excited to go back.
About the Author
Emily is a content creator for Bestow. When she’s not typing away at a computer, you can find her hiking with her dog or watching live music. You can also follow Emily on Twitter.