Ages & Stages: 6-10: Creative Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

Some of my finest childhood memories are of sweltering summer days spent wading through the shallow creek close to home. With an empty jar in hand, my neighborhood buddies and I spent hours catching minnows and examining streambed rocks in search of the best skipping stone.

Times have changed and so have the activities children engage in. Creative play that was birthed out of boredom has given way to electronic media that soothes mid-summer monotony. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Summer is a time for mental rejuvenation and creative stimulation. Following are a few activities designed to keep summer boredom at bay while unleashing your child’s energy and imagination.

1. Hydro hockey. Children of all ages will enjoy this new form of ice hockey. Lay a large, thick plastic sheet (such as a tarp) on level ground. Cut away the bottom half and one side of two milk cartons. Stand the cartons at opposite ends of the plastic sheet to be the goals. Measure and cut two rectangles (3-by-7-inches long) out of the corrugated cardboard. Push a pencil into each rectangle to form a hockey stick. Use an ice cube for the puck.

2. Here’s to your heritage. School-age siblings and their preschool counterparts might enjoy learning about their heritage by interviewing a grandparent or other relative. Ask children to come up with a list of questions to ask a family member about his life — when and where he was born, what he remembers most about growing up, how he celebrated birthdays and holidays, if he played sports or took up a musical instrument, friends he had and what they did together, etc. Next, set a time for the interview and send the interviewee a copy of the questions so he knows what to expect and can think of stories to share.

During the interview, assign one child to video record the session while another child acts as a news reporter conducting the interview. When they are finished, keep the information on file or have your children turn it into a family keepsake by writing and illustrating a short biography, making a timeline or creating a paper quilt with drawings that depict significant events in their relative’s life.

3. Bike bonanza. Children proficient at bike riding will enjoy designing and carrying out this activity. Find a vacant lot or other large area where kids can hold a bike rodeo. Design a variety of events such as sprint and coast races (see other suggestions below). Ask someone to be the referee and hand out inexpensive prizes to contest winners.

Super spiral. Use a piece of chalk to draw a large spiral shape that spins outward. Allow at least 18 inches between each curve. Bikers start on the outermost spiral and ride on the line to the center. The fastest and most accurate contestant wins.
Outlandish obstacles. Set up an obstacle course using various items such as sand-filled cans to weave around, a wooden plank to teeter across and other things that create maneuverability challenges. Riders are judged on time and lose points for mistakes.

Balloon bash. Mark off an area that is approximately 20-by-40-feet and fill it with inflated balloons. At the sound of the whistle, bikers begin riding within the designated area, trying to avoid running over balloons or colliding into someone. Last one in the game wins.

4. Body montage. Preschoolers and early elementary-age children will revel in discovering who they are. Have your child lie down on a large piece of white paper and trace all the way around his body. Give him old magazines and ask him to cut out and glue pictures and/or words that describe who he is and what his interests are (i.e. words such as “happy” and “friendly,” pictures such as a soccer ball or doll). He may also want to draw some illustrations and write in his own words. When he is finished, have him cut out the figure and display it in a prominent place.

5. Homegrown Hollywood. Children of all ages can take part in movie-making. Give your children a video camera and let them brainstorm ideas. They could do a remake of “The Three Little Pigs” or “Goldilocks,” or their own rendition of a favorite TV show. Encourage them to devise a script, create props and a backdrop, and gather materials for costumes. Don’t forget the film credits! When the movie is complete, gather the crew, pop some corn and watch it together. Then head for the driveway for your own “Walk of Fame” — trace the stars’ hands on pavement with chalk and write names next to it.

6. Nature treasure hunt. Make this a family activity or neighborhood event. Divide into teams. Draw up boundary lines and set a time limit. Give each team a copy of items to find on the hunt. Items could include two different kinds of grass; a berry; a pure white rock; a seed pod; feather; a pine cone; something that floats; a leaf rubbing, a black dog, etc. The team back the soonest with the most objects wins.

Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children.

SIDEBAR
Summer Activity Books

“Boredom Busters! The Curious Kids’ Activity Book”
By Avery Hart and Paul Mantell
Williamson Publishing Company

“The Kids Summer Games Book”
By Jane Drake
Kids Can Press

“Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less”
By Jean Potter; Jossey-Bass

“The Picture Book of Kids’ Crafts and Activities: More than 200 Terrific Projects”
By Roxanne Henderson
McGraw-Hill

“Preschooler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities to Occupy 3-6 Year Olds”
By Trish Kuffner
Meadowbrook

“Summer Fun! 60 Activities for a Kid-Perfect Summer”
By Susan Williamson
Williamson Publishing Company