Boredom busters: 5 fun ways to keep your kids entertained this summer

By Brittany Anas

The inevitable mid-summer break “I’m bored” groans are starting to rumble. We put those complaints in the same category as “Are we there, yet?” and “He started it” woes. (If only they knew that some day, when they’re in the working world, they’ll be envious of those summer breaks).

With at least a few more weeks left of summer break, here are some fun and inexpensive boredom busters. (And, hey, parents can join the fun, too).

• Water fights. Fill up a tub of water balloons and set out some water guns for a friendly neighborhood water fight. They’ll beat the heat (and the boredom). Find water guns starting under $5 and a 300-pack of water balloons for $6.99. Our favorite: The Fuze Cyclone Water Blaster Bike Accessory that attaches to handlebars. Earn Cash Back and access other great deals from ShopAtHome.com at Walmart. (Shopping tip: July is a great time to buy swim and pool toys as stores are clearing out their seasonal merchandise to make room for back-to-school supplies).
• Library day. Take your book worm up to the cool, air-conditioned library and spend a lazy afternoon reading. Check out your local libraries for free events. Many have teen spaces with games and book clubs for your young adults and storytime for your little ones.
• Retro toys. Remember what summers were like before online games and sophisticated gaming systems? Pull out some of your old toys from storage or find re-makes at stores like ToysRUs, where you’ll earn Cash Back. We’re talking roller skates, mini trampolines, pogo sticks and lawn games. ToysRUs is running a 30 percent off sale on lawn games like badminton, croquet, bean bag toss and ring toss.
• Let your kids be a kitchen assistant: Show your kids that cooking can be fun and prepare healthy meals for your family together. Instead of just asking them to set the table or do the dishes (those are definitely chores), ask them to measure ingredients with you, trim herbs from your garden or power the mixer. Use the kitchen as a learning lab to teach them about healthy meals and share some of your favorite recipes with them. For healthy meal planning and cooking tips — which are kid-friendly, too — check out ChooseMyPlate.gov. There’s a kid’s section with games, videos, songs and more.
• Candy experiments: Go ahead and give them the green light to play with their food. This website is dedicated to scientific experiments using candy. Did you know that electrons get ripped off the sugar molecules when you crunch wintergreen Life Savers? Dyed candies like Skittles or M&M’s can teach lessons on color separation.

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