It's the last day of school today and I'm staring a long summer vacation straight in the eyes. How's a mom to survive with her sanity in tact?If your children are like mine they come to you with the eternal "Mom, I'm bored, what is there to do?" question dripping from their popsicle-laquered lips. My solution was to put together a craft notebook for them where they can go to the library shelf, pull down the binder and browse through numerous crafts and activities until they find something that interests them.
Better Homes and Gardens, FamilyFun, Martha Stewart and other publications I've subscribed to over the years have had fun activities for kids that I've ripped out, saving only the best ideas in each issue. I've also checked out books on children's activities at the library and photocopied the best ideas from them as well. Rather than let all the loose sheets collect dust in a drawer I slipped them into plastic sheet protectors and collected them in a large three-ring binder with dividers labeled by subject: Holidays, Games, Puzzles, Crafts, Puppets, Science, etc.
With so many colorfully illustrated ideas in one place it's hard for a child not to find at least one activity that appeals to them.
For the duration of the summer break each of my Works for Me Wednesdays posts will spotlight a different activity from my book--and there are some great ones let me warn you--to keep your children happy and your sanity alive and well.
Technorati tags: WFMW, crafts, children, summer vacation
31 comments:
I look forward to your summer posts. Great idea!
Michelle, I am really looking forward to seeing what you and the kids get up to this summer!!
Hello Michelle,
New here on your blog just wanna say hi...well as meeta said I am also looking forward....
Parenting
Michelle, I love this idea. School's out already? We have until June 8. How nice.
Well this sounds wonderful! Even though my son is only 15 months old, he'll be at this point someday and I've been meaning to put together one of these books.
You'll give me the push I need! Looking forward to the series.
Hmmm... this sounds like a book in the making. :)
I love organizing w/ 3 ring binders. This idea is a must for our family as well. Thanks for sharing. :)
I'll be looking forward to the tips, even though school doesn't let out until July 4th here.
Gosh, I can't get over Poppy Field's end-of-school date!! Wow!
Anyway, that notebook is a neat idea!
Wow, sounds like Wednesdays are the days to look forward to. Thank you for sharing.
Great idea!
Marcia
Organise your home at http://takechargesolutions.org
I suspect that perhaps when you were a child, if you had told your own mother 'I'm bored' that she found chores for you? Am I right?
I only said it a couple of times myself, but that's a lesson I learned really fast.
Cheers
Scary, but I do the same thing...
What a great idea! I'm going to have to start one of those. I'm looking forward to your posts.
: ) Smiles!
Sure, that sounds great if the box-of-crayons / blank-wall idea doesn't pan out!
Actually, it's a brilliant idea. Even if they don't find something to do, just flipping through your book should kill a few minutes. And a few minutes is all it takes for you to regain your sanity.
Cheers!
Such a good idea. I need to do the same thing with all the "homemaking" tips and tricks I pull out of magazines (and eventually, inevitably lose).
Look forward to reading more!
1. Wow, they're out already? Maya's not out until June 14th. Crazy.
2. What an awesome idea! LOVE it.
Great idea! Much better than my method, which is to tear things out of magazines, leave them in a big pile and then eventually throw them away because I can't remember why I saved them.
I bow down before your organizational skills. How do you do it?
Great idea Scribbit! I hadn't thought of making a book of them before.
My kids would NEVER say "I'm bored" to me or to their dad.
We had a list of chores for them to do if they were ever "bored"
funny thing...they never were.
Sure you don't want to do a special "Works for me Wednesday" tomorrow? Looking forward to it.
Yay! I need more ideas! My sister and I are going to each come up with various themes and activities and share our ideas with each other, that way (theoretically) we will each only have to come up with ideas for half the summer.
Cool idea! How do you make sure you actually have the materials for the crafts on hand?
School here in Upstate NY doesn't get out until June 21. I can't believe you are out already.
mcewen + island sparrow-That was my mom! You learned quickly NEVER to say you were bored. . . because the garage and basement always seemed to need cleaning, and I didn't want to be the one who was doing it.
great idea! I have a small suitcase full of craft ideas that I have ripped from magazines for myself & I go through it often looking for the page I want... I shall have to start collecting child-safe ideas in a folder for Wombat
Glad you & your family had fun with the chicks!
Fantastic! As of July 5 I will be back in the classroom, and I am sure I will hear lots of afternoon grumbling from hot kiddies. Maybe I can use some of your ideas to bribe, I mean reward them!
Hi Michelle,
Really enjoying your blog. this is a bit of a shameless plug... but it's for a really worthy cause.
We're holding a global photography event for kids 11-24 in conjunction with Plan UK. It's completely free, and it's an excellent way to keep young minds occupied over Summer.
Gotta be quick though. Entries close on 20th July.
Sign up and more information at
Please help spread the word and let us make this the biggest creative youth event yet!!
Thanks Michelle. Keep up the good work!
ooops!!
sign up and info at www.shootnations.org
Great idea...I like it..!
I would love to share with you and your members the Kids Craft of the Month Club Summer Special. For only $40 your child will receive 2 Craft Kits twice a month during the summer (June, July & August). That's 12 Craft Kits for only $40! We also include in each package other fun things such as stickers, tattoos, toys, games, and activities. What a great way to keep the kids busy all summer long!
Just log on to www.KidsCraftoftheMonthClub.com and click on our Summer Special! At Kids Craft of the Month Club, you receive a year's worth of smiles, one month at a time!
Thanks!
Mindy Taylor
www.KidsCraftoftheMonthClub.com
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http://www.deeperkids.com/content/search/product/view_item.php?dcn=32003&sm=
Thank you for your time.
Thanks so much!!! I love your site and plan to come back often to see your new projects!
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