Too Princessy! Boredom Buster Blog

Welcome to the Boredom Buster Blog: Conquering Cabin Fever One Idea at a Time!

2012-02-23T08:39:00.001-07:00

It's that cabin-fever time of year. What do you do with your kids when boredom sets in?

In the spirit of the cabin-fevered kid in my latest picture book
TOO PRINCESSY!
I'm hosting this Boredom Buster Blog -
chock full of ideas from people like you.

Click HERE for a listing of all ideas by category.

Send me your best ideas and be entered to win one of
5 wonderful prizes.

Then everyday from January 17th until we run out, I'll post a new idea for you to use and enjoy.

Submit your best boredom busting ideas on my
Boredom Buster Blog Entry Form.
You can submit more than one idea, but please fill out a new form for each.

Here's what you can win:

1 GRAND PRIZE - TOO PRINCESSY! T-shirt, Bag and 3 Autographed Books (TOO PRINCESSY!, TOO PURPLEY!, TOO PICKLEY!), a $100 gift card to the bookseller of your choice (Amazon, B&N, Indiebound)
PLUS a Discovery Kids Color Me Play Castle

4 FIRST PRIZES - Autographed copy of TOO PRINCESSY!

Remember, if you'd like to submit an idea, it's easy. Just fill out my

Boredom Buster Blog Entry Form.

The winner will be selected by random drawing on 2/29/12.

So don't let cabin fever drive you crazy. Stop by this blog for daily fun. And remember one of the best boredom busting ideas of all - cuddling up with a great book. When you do, I hope you'll check out
TOO PRINCESSY!
available at your favorite bookstore starting January 17th! If you've already purchased your copy, let me know and I"ll send you FREE autographed bookplates!

Happy Winter!

Jean

Boredom Buster Ideas by Category

2012-02-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Potato and Gadget Stamping

2012-02-23T08:38:00.002-07:00

This is a family favorite!

As a kid I was always doing some kind of art project and stamping was one of my favorites. Of course I was thrilled when my kids loved it to.

Have on Hand:
Paint
Potatoes
Buttons
Kitchen gadgets
Spools
Erasers
Washable paints.
Paper
Knives or other carving tools.

Boredom Buster Description:
First comb the house and collect items of unique and varied shapes. This can be as fun as the stamping itself. Kitchen gadgets, cookie cutters, fruits and vegetables make for great prints. And don't forget the potato masher - always a favorite.

With adult supervision cut fruits and vegetables in half and carve shapes into the potatoes. Stick with simple shapes for younger kids - hearts, shamrocks, flowers. With older kids you might try letters of the alphabet or more advanced shapes. For reverse prints, try pressing cookie cutters into halved- potatoes to make an impression of the shape, then stamp with the potato.

Then pour Tempra paints on paper plates and dip your "stamps" right in. You may have to blot a bit to get a perfect shape. Try different colors. Overlap them or create repeating patterns. Discover the "inner beauty" of fruits and vegetables as their intricate interiors burst forth in full color on the page. And when you're bored with the old, hunt for new gadgets to stamp and open up your art to entirely new designs.

Drive-In Movie Theater

2012-02-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand:
LCD projector (borrow it from the office)
The latest and greatest DVD release
Every ride-on toy in the neighborhood

Boredom Buster Description: When our kids were young, I worked for a company that produced LCD projectors. Having a movie up on the wall at our house soon hit the Top Ten list of favorite things to do. Today, big screen TVs are everywhere, but kids still love the drive-in movie nights in our basement! We play this one in the basement where there is plenty of space to drive around. You'll need one blank wall to project the movie, and space to line up all the kiddie cars and trikes. Set up a ticket booth for the "cars" to drive through. And, of course, you'll need a snack stand. Distribute play money and allow everyone to choose a favorite snack to buy. Truly creative types will add parking lines to the floor using masking tape and create "speakers" for each vehicle using Styrofoam cups and some yarn. The older kids can perform the pre-show commercials and trailers. Hit the lights and let the show begin!

Boredom Buster Bio: Okay, so my kids were toddlers a LONG time ago. This STILL worked over the holidays when we hosted the five kids from next door while their parents went on a Christmas wrapping frenzy.

Thank you, Rosemary Schwendler, for this great idea!

The Phrase Game

2012-02-21T07:25:00.002-07:00

This is a family favorite!

Have on Hand: Pencil and scrap paper for each player.

Boredom Buster Description: This idea is best for larger groups of 4 or more kids. When everyone has a sheet of paper and a pencil instruct them as follows:

Write down a favorite phrase or a quote and pass the paper to the person on your left.
When you've received the paper from your neighbor, illustrate the new phrase or quote in about one minute.
Then fold the original quote under, so that it can't be seen, and pass the illustration to the person on your left.
When you've received the illustration from your neighbor, write a new phrase or quote that best describes or humorously captions the illustration.
Fold the illustration under so that it can't be seen and pass your new quote to the left.
Draw a new illustration for the new quote and the game continues until all player have their original papers back.
In the end, players take turns reading the thread of captions and showing the illustrations. Hilarity not optional!

Make a Big Noise!

2012-02-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand: Pots and pans and spoons!

Boredom Buster Description: When my son was young, one of our favorite boredom busters was simply to hand him some pots and pans and plastic ware and a wooden spoon. Instant drum set! He loved experimenting with what kinds of different sounds he could make, and, of course, he loved having permission to be LOUD!

Boredom Buster Bio: Laurie Thompson is a children's book author who specializes in nonfiction about social issues, math, and science. You can find her on Twitter (@LaurieThompson) or on the web (http://lauriethompson.com).

Thank you, Laurie Thompson, for this great idea!

Make-Your-Own Puppet Show

2012-02-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand: socks, yarn, felt, glue, paper bags, tongue depressors, fairy tale books

Boredom Buster Description: What better way to combat boredom than make a puppet show. Make puppets from socks, paper bags, or sticks and paper. Fairy tales are a great place to start for the story telling part. Read a simple story, like The 3 Bears, or the 3 Billy Goats Gruff and retell the story with puppets. Invite a friend to watch or help with the telling.

Boredom Buster Bio: As a child, my friends and I spent the summers entertaining each other with puppet plays. I highly recommend it for bumping boredom out of the house. Judith Snyder is the author of What Do You See? Check out her web site for activities that compliment her book: http//:judithsnyderwrites.com

Thank you, Judith Snyder, for this great idea!

Balloon Racers and Chasers

2012-02-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand: Balloons, Plastic Fly swatters

Warning: CHOKING HAZARD. Children can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Adult supervision required. Keep uninflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.

Boredom Buster Description: Once the balloons have been inflated, the children can race them or chase them, flick them long or high. It won't be long before the grownups decide to join in the fun.

Boredom Buster Bio: I am a Mother of 2. I also work in Early Childhood.

Thank you, Mary Preston, for this great idea!

Cookie Artistry

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand:
sugar cookie recipe and ingredients
confectioners sugar
food coloring
toothpicks
cookie cutters
lemon juice

Boredom Buster Description: Make cookies cut with a variety of cookie cutter shapes. Mix confectioners sugar with drops of food coloring & drops of lemon juice to make "paint." Then use toothpicks as paint brushes & paint away on cookies to make faces or the scenes of your choice.

Boredom Buster Bio: I live in Defiance, Ohio & have continued the tradition by making cookies with my 3 adorable grandsons.

Thanks you, Marianne Kiefer, for this great idea!

YouTube Karaoke

2012-02-16T09:11:00.005-07:00

Used to be that you needed a fancy Karaoke machine or video game to be a family room rock star. Not any more!

Have on Hand: Your computer with internet access and a microphone (or make one out of tinfoil and a toilet paper tube).

Boredom Buster Description
Search for your favorite songs on YouTube. Disney movie tunes are family sing-along favorites. Click on a karaoke version in the search drop-down list and take turns belting out those ballads. Spiff up the activity by adding judges, score cards and teams. Or just keep it simple and sing away the cabin fever blues.

And if your kids find themselves a little star struck by the end of it all, check out So You Want to Be a Rock Star from Audrey Vernick. Super fun!!

Free Form Art

2012-02-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand:
Glue
Paper
Scissors
Random craft supplies/materials (pom poms, feathers, pipe cleaners, fabric scrapes, leaves, sticks, dried beans, pasta, etc)

Boredom Buster Description: Give your kids a piece of paper and glue. Then set out all of the random craft supplies and let them go. They can combine, mix & match, and assemble their art collages however they see fit. This is great for any age. You can vary by doing like colors, different themes or even have the make a certain image (such as a self portrait) with all their materials.

Boredom Buster Bio: I am the stay at home mom to 4-1/2 year old twins and a 2-1/2 year old. I love doing crafts with my kids and watching them grow every day.

Thank you, Wendy Thornell, for this great idea!

Peanut Butter Playdough

2012-02-14T06:45:00.003-07:00

Here's another family favorite ...

Have on Hand:

3 1/2 cups peanut butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 1/2 cups honey
4 cups dry milk powder

Boredom Buster Description: My son remembered loving this idea ... but I honestly don't remember making it. Hah! So whether he played with (or ate) this play dough at home, at a friend's house or at school it obviously was a big hit. And it sounded like a great idea to me. Here's the best recipe I found online:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-playdough/

Let me know if you have a recipe you like better.

Skittle! Road Trip Game

2012-02-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand: A road trip and a handful of pennies

Boredom Buster Description: Every parent knows road trips can turn on a dime when bored kids get fidgety and restless. My daughter learned the "Skittle" game on a trip with friends and it has been a fun family distraction for trips both long and short. While riding, everyone keeps an eye out for yellow cars. The first to spot a yellow car yells "Skittle!" and earns a penny. We have a family rule that disallows school buses, construction vehicles and taxis, but you can choose a different color and make different rules.

Boredom Buster Bio: Cathy Mealey is a left-handed mom to two awesome kids and a lifelong Massachusetts resident. She is a prepublished children's book author and writes at her blog www.bildebok.wordpress.com.

Thank you, Cathy Mealey, for this great idea!

Cardboard Dollhouse

2012-02-12T08:44:00.001-07:00

Have on Hand: Home catalogs or magazines, cardboard or cardboard box, scissors, glue or glue stick.

Boredom Buster Description: My mom gave me this idea when I was young.I had a large piece of cardboard from a box, probably 3ft by 3ft. I divided it into rooms and them pasted furniture for each type room in the box. A flat dollhouse if you will, with sofas for the living room and rugs and end tables and lamps, baby furniture, etc. I loved playing with it.

Boredom Buster Bio: I love doing crafts with my 4-year-old granddaughter. Whenever I was bored as a kid, my mother always said, "You could go clean your room!" Some how I always managed to go find something else to do. Good advice from Mom!

Thank you, Pat Golding, for your great idea!

What Do You See?

2012-02-11T08:44:00.001-07:00

Have on Hand: Paper and pencil

Boredom Buster Description: Draw a simple shape. (could be a square, a lattice, two concentric circles, a series of strait lines, etc). Then turn the shape in all different directions and consider all the different things it could be. Spend time with each drawing, because the creative thinking process can sometimes take a while to evolve. Brainstorm with friends and discover all the unique ideas you never thought were in your head.

Boredom Buster Bio: Judith Snyder is the author of What Do You See? that uses this idea as the basis for her concept picture book. Check out her web site: http://judithsnyderwrites.com for additional activities that compliment her book.

Thank you, Judith Snyder, for this great idea!

Find Your Own Treasure Hunt!

2012-02-10T06:00:00.003-07:00

Have on Hand:
A treasure (anything a kid thinks is special)
Pencil
Notepad of paper

Boredom Buster Description:
Remember the old scavenger hunt? This is the same idea, but adapted for kids, even those who aren't yet reading.

For a trial run, the kid hides her treasure in a spot in the house or yard. On a single sheet of notepaper, draw the first clue -- a picture of the place she's hidden it (with a descriptive word). Then, find another place to hide this clue. Draw a picture of this clue hiding place. Find another hiding place for this clue, where you can leave it, and continue, leaving clues, till you think the kid has had enough -- (usually about seven clues works for a two-year-old) drawing clues and hiding each in subsequent spots. In the trial runs, you help the child, then, in a "real game," he or she gets to pick where to hide the treasure and each clue, and you're off and running!

Boredom Buster Bio: One of our daughters made up this game for those snowy days on the East coast, and we play it in sunshiny states, too. Kids love to hide things and find them, so they play it over and over. As a children's author, it's fun to see the joy of discovery dawn on their little faces! www.margosorenson.com

Thank you, Margo Sorenson, for this great idea!

From Boredom to Chefdom

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand: A computer, cookbooks (optional)

Boredom Buster Description:
My kids are older: ten and fourteen, and my anti-boredom busting tip not only ends up being fun for them, it teaches them an important, often neglected, skill. I make them chefs for the night.

They must come up with a complete dinner. The only rules are 1) they must use a recipe (though they can alter it if they wish); and 2) the dish must have a vegetable in it. If the two kids are doing it together, I add a dessert into the challenge. This week, my youngest made a tofu and veggie stir fry with a Teriyaki sauce. It was so delicious, I went back for seconds. Now, the kids may moan and groan about this at first, but they will get on board...(perhaps even a cutting board!)

Boredom Buster Bio: My name is L.B. Schulman. I have a book for teens coming out this fall (2012) called League of Strays (Abrams). The description's on my website at lbschulman.com and Goodreads.com. I love purple and princesses and books for little girls, which I miss now that mine are growing up so fast. But the neighbor across the street is starting anew with a little girl due next month--I hope to pass along your books to their family.

Thank you, L.B.Schulman for this great idea!

Magazine Mosaics

2012-02-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Have on Hand: Glossy magazines, scissors, small bowl or recycled container, flour and water paste, spoon or stick to mix, small paint brush and recycled jars or bottles.

Boredom Buster Description: Kids can design magazine mosaics to create beautiful vases from jars or candle holders from bottles. Here's how:

Cut your magazine pages into 1 cm squares- guesstimating is fine.
Mix 3 tablespoons of flour with water, that you will add slowly and stirring as you go, until you have a pancake batter consistency with your paste.
Dip your mosaic squares into the paste or use a small paintbrush,if you don't like icky fingers.
Press them onto your jar and repeat this and create patterns, or layers with your magazine mosaics as you go,until the whole jar or bottle is covered. Leave to dry and can then be varnished to give a shiny look.
Younger children with less attention span developed can decorate / design on a small babyfood type jar and older children love the challenge of a larger bottle or container.

Boredom Buster Bio: OSCAR rocks in NZ.
OSCAR - Out of School Care and Recreation is the best place between home and school for kiwi children aged 5 - 14 years.The OSCAR Foundation is my not for profit employer who has a mission to ensure all children have enriched childhoods. Checkout our website www.oscar.org.nz or look for us on our Facebook page - The OSCAR Foundation ..

Thank you, Julie King, for this great idea!