Mum....I'm Bored!

By Kim Norton

With school holidays fast approaching here in Victoria, our families are faced with the somewhat overwhelming task of keeping our kids entertained.

Whilst it is great to be able to take the kids out to the movies, the city, a show, or a family day out, this can prove to be expensive and out of reach for many. For our working parents this simply may not be a viable option at all as the kids are left with carers/extended family. For others, it might be something that can only be done a couple of times over the school holiday period.

So, taking into account COVID-19 lockdowns/restrictions, time, money, weather (and the need for all of you to get some much needed rest) how do you please each member of the family and curb the inevitable cries of “Mum, I’m bored” when you want to spend some time at home? You sit down with your child/children, and you make a list of activities that they can do either by themselves, with each other, as a family or with minimal supervision.

Because your little cherubs have helped to compile this list, they will feel empowered, more likely to take ownership and at least have a go at some of the listed suggestions. Mix up the list with some indoor and outdoor activities; activities they can do independently, together and activities that do not involve an iPad or computer screen.

Some ideas for your list could include:

1. Lego/Magnetix/Duplo

2. Bake a cake

3. Drawing

4. Colouring in

5. Play hopscotch

6. Card games like Uno

7. Board games like Monopoly

8. Make a blanket fort

9. Trampoline

10. Have a “dance off”

11. Cosmic Kids Yoga

12. Put on a concert

13. Put on a magic show

14. Make videos

15. Play on the swing

16. Change bedroom around

17. Playdoh/Slime

18. Read a book

19. Take a virtual train ride (YouTube)

20. Tea party

21. Play dress ups

22. Make an affirmations Jar

23. Nerf gun battle

24. Write a song

25. Gardening

26. Meditate

27. Ride a bike

28. Play with match box cars

29. Blow bubbles

30. Play with LOL’s/dolls/ Barbies

31. Chalk drawing on the concrete

32. Start a journal33. Have a wrestling match

34. Go on a scavenger hunt

35. Write a story

36. Face time with friends

37. Face time games like charades

38. Watch a movie

39. Watch a documentary

40. Paint a picture

41. Create a comic book strip

42. Skateboard

43. Have a Mini Olympics

44. Make an obstacle course

45. Make sock puppets

46. Origami

47. Jigsaw puzzle

48. Learn to knit/crochet/sew

49. Paper airplane races

50. Visit the zoo, museum or even space, via their interactive websites.

Pop your list up somewhere that can easily be seen by all and when you hear those inevitable cries of boredom, you simply point at it. No raised voices, no moaning of “I don’t know what to do” and no having to think on your feet allowing you to sit down and enjoy that whole cup of hot coffee 😊

Kim is the founder of Rainbow Light Therapies and is a HolisticCounsellor specialising in stress and anxiety management forkids, teens, and adults. Kim provides a unique, intuitive, andindividualised therapy approach through individual, small group,and family counselling sessions both online and at her studioin Langwarrin. Also working with special needs kids, Kim runssessions and workshops for people of all abilities on varioustopics throughout the year.

Please see www.rainbowlighttherapies.com.au.