Nothing beats the boredom blues like a great book or two. Make a quick trip
to the library and have your child pick out a few books. During the next few
days ask them about the book, what they liked about it and what they would have
changed. This is a great way to encourage reading, and you can get a few books
yourself.
Teach them how to cook
You've got to cook dinner anyway, right? So why not teach your child how to
do it too? Let them help make the evening's meal, and you may find that you
have a gourmet chef in the family.
Baseboard mania
They are truly the most ignored thing in the house - baseboards need love
too. So, hand over a damp rag and put your child to work. A little elbow grease
never hurt anyone, and they may find other things to do the next time they are
bored.
Research project
All kids want to know more about something - so help them pick a topic and
do an internet search. You may even want to do it together - it's a fun way to
learn and connect at the same time. This activity also produces stimulating
dinner table conversation among the whole family.
Movie day
If they are bored, and you are too, why not have a movie day? It doesn't
hurt to watch a few movies in the same day every now and again. Everyone pick
their favorite and let the viewing begin.
Craft crazy
Get online or thumb through one of your handy dandy craft books and pick a
craft that they can do alone, or you may even want to join them. Find something
stimulating and challenging enough for their age group so they use their noggin
a bit. It really does pass the time, and the end result is usually great enough
to take center stage on a bookshelf, wall or dinner table.