Boredom Busters
With the rainy weather we’ve been having, my growing pregnant belly and decreasing energy I’ve been in some serious need of new ideas to keep M busy in a good, productive way rather than a “sit in front of the TV” way. Thankfully I recently came across The Preschooler’s Busy Book by Trish Kuffner at the library and am happy to report I’ve got lots of new tricks up my sleeve…and validation that some of my own invented ideas ain’t so shabby. Below is a beginning list of Boredom Busters* from this Busy Book for your 3-6 year olds that require preparation ahead of time but are very low maintenance thereafter – perfect for those times when you’re cooking dinner, a rainy day when the clock moves at a snail’s pace and all your usual tricks have been exhausted, or when YOU are plain exhausted.
Have a Busy Box handy.
A spare kitchen cupboard low enough for your child to reach is an ideal spot for his own Busy Box. Fill a small storage box with things he can do on his own, any time he wants. Good things to keep in a Busy Box are:
- child-safe scissors
our busy box on the shelf with a drawing pad above
- coloring books
- construction paper
- crayons
- glue
- drawing paper
- stickers
- tape
- playdough
- cookie cutters
What’s so funny about this idea is that I had “invented” this idea long ago (or so I thought I invented it!) Our “Art Box” as we call it, is nearly identical to what Trish describes. One day I repurposed some plastic cups and glued them to the inside of a box, filled it with supplies and done. Paper supplies, stencils and other flat items sit in the box cover (like a tray) and the box sits inside the cover rather than using the cover as a lid (see photo). It’s one of our most trusted Boredom Buster in our house. Tape is essential in our box, as is glue. And about the scissors, which I was initially nervous about including but did anyways, has been a great way to help M learn how to keep and use scissors appropriately. Seriously, it has.
Make a Job Jar for your child.
photo from Martha Stewart.com - see, even Martha thinks it's a good idea!
Whether you are a working Mom, an at-home Dad, a loving grandparent or an occasional babysitter, sometimes you will have household chores to do while your preschooler is around. Providing a job jar for your child gives him something to do while you work, and can also help instill in him a sense of responsibility toward household chores.
You can make a job jar for your child out of an empty jar, coffee can or small box. Cut strips of paper and on each one print a small job that needs to be done; for example, straighten the bookshelves, wash the bathroom sink, put away the towels, was the vegetables, pick up the toys, and so on.
You will know the jobs your child is capable of doing with minimal supervision and assistance. If your child is normally an unwilling helper, allowing him to choose his own job may also help reduce some of his reluctance.
Make a Crazy Can.
You’ve probably all been there – 5pm, dinner nowhere near prepared, a nursing baby in one arm, a cranky toddler hanging onto one leg, and a whiny, demanding preschooler looking for something to do. Now is NOT the time for fingerpaints or papier-mache! Now is NOT the time to brainstorm ideas for exciting and creative things to do with a 4 year old. What you CAN do is be prepared ahead of time with the Crazy Can.
Make a list of on-the-spot activities that require no special materials, need no time-consuming preparation or clean-up, and above all, demand no large amount of adult participation or supervision. Write down these ideas on index cards or small pieces of paper and place them inside an empty can. When things start to get crazy (or when there’s just “nothing to do”) choose a card from the can for an instant remedy. Here’s a list of suggested list activities for your Crazy Can:
- Counting – give your child household counting assignments, such as, count all the doorknobs in the house, the spoons in the drawer, the crayons in his box and so on.
- Flour Drawing – Sprinkle a cookie sheet with flour and let your child draw with their finger.
- Super Suds – Put a few drops of liquid detergent in a bowl and fill it halfway with water. Let your child use a whisk to whip up some super suds or a big straw to blow some really big bubbles.
- Washing – Fill a spray bottle with water and a small amount of white vinegar. Give your child the bottle and cloth and let them wash the windows, counters or appliances.
Got some Boredom Busters of your own? Please, do tell! Inquiring minds want to know.
*Full credit is given to Trish Kuffner for these Boredom Buster ideas. All text is as it appears in the book, unless otherwise indicated.
