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

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 picture board 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.

Submit your best boredom busting ideas on my
Boredom Buster Blog Entry Form
and be entered to win $100 gift card to Amazon or the online bookseller of your choice or one of 3 autographed copies of the the TOO PRINCESSY! Board Book!
You can submit more than one idea, but please fill out a new form for each. Winners will be selected randomly on 3/1/13 from all the 2013 entries.

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. If you've already purchased your copy, let me know and I"ll send you FREE autographed bookplates!

Let Your Imagination Sparkle!

Jean

Daddy's Hair & Nail Salon

Have on Hand:    Nail polish, glitter,  1 dad, (or mom) siblings, hair accessories, wash-out hair color, clips, braids, headbands, combs, brushes, etc.
   
Boredom Buster Description:  Kids love using their imaginations.  At my home we pretend it is "Beauty Day."  My daughter picks up her pretend phone and makes a phone call to the beauty shop.  I answer it and we make an appointment.  I ask her what services she would like, as well as who she would like to perform the services.  My husband, my son, and myself all participate.  We set up a time and write down what services will be preformed.  She then arrives at the "salon" in our living room and receives her day of beauty.  It is a fun activity that the whole family can participate in.

Boredom Buster Bio:  My name is Stacey and I am a mom of two wonderful kids.  Steven is in 1st grade and he is 6 years old.  Alexa is in daycare and she is 3 years old.  I have been married to my wonderful husband, Adam, for 8 years.  I am a full time elementary school teacher.  I love my job and my family.  I think it is important to keep an open mind and always look for new and exciting things to do with my children, both in school and out. :0)

Thank you, Stacey Kevelos, for this great idea!

The 3 Bs

Have on Hand: Books, Board Games, Baking Ingredients

Boredom Buster Description:      Busting boredom is always the same in our house. First, we bake! Once our goodies are in the oven we play board games. When the goodies are done baking, we curl up on the couch and eat them while we read our favorite books.

Boredom Buster Bio:  Katie Clark has been writing stories since she was 7 years old. Her work includes picture books, picture book apps, magazine pieces, and more. She spends her time reading, writing, and of course busting boredom with her two awesome daughters. www.katieclarkbooks.webs.com

Thank you, Katie for this great idea!

Boredom Buster Ideas by Category

Tuned Into Fun With the TV Off

Have on Hand:
Nothing special. Maybe a video camera if you want to capture some of the fun.

Boredom Buster Description:
Even if your kids breakfast with Sponge Bob and snack with SportsCenter, TV turnoff time is a perfect time for kids to shine. Here are some ways to let them do just that, and still stay tuned to fun.

Live at Five
Families don't have to travel the globe to report breaking news. Did Spot have puppies? Did sister lose a tooth? Let kids anchor nightly news from around the world or around the block. Remind newscasters to report the “who, what, where, when, why and how." And don't forget the weather.

Only $19.95
Do commercials drive your family crazy? Here's your kids’ chance to pitch their own wacky products. How about brother's stinky sneakers or dad's ugliest tie? Have them compose a jingle to convince viewers that they must have that pre-chewed gum. The funnier, the better.

Junior Jeopardy
Fun is the grand prize on a kid-created game show. Kids can quiz viewers from categories like "Found in my Locker" or "Heard in School Halls." If shopping is their thing, ask viewers to "come on down" and guess prices on products found in catalogs or around the house.

Kids Can Do
Is your kid an expert bubble blower or locker organizer? Have him share his secrets on his own "How To" show. He can break down his skill into short, easy steps and teach viewers one step at the time. No skill too small.

As the School Turns
Let your kids create their own drama of forgotten locker combinations and smoking science labs. A school day provides the plot. Add touches of mystery and suspense. Throw in tears and fainting, and they’ll have their audience crying with laughter.

Suds 'Em Up Toy Wash

This is one of our family favorites!

Have on Hand: A tub of toys, mild dish soap or liquid baby soap

Boredom Buster Description: This was one of our favorite summer activities. We'd dump all the dusty, dirty toys into the plastic baby pool. Add dish soap, water, and kids. We'd have a splashing good time and clean toys to boot.  Well the idea works in the tub too! You might have to  squelch the splashing just a little but when the toys are clean, the kids are too!

Kaleidoscope Crayon Melting Art

If your kids are like mine, they refuse to use the little leftover nibs of broken crayons. And if you're like me, you refuse to throw them out. Well, a few weeks ago we posted a fun recipe for Broken Crayon Muffins that was one great use for those little buggers. Here's another.

Have on Hand:
Wax paper
Iron
Crayon scraps
Cotton fabric, pillowcase or towel

Boredom Buster Description:

1. Peel paper from crayons.
2. Combine crayon crumbs in interesting color patterns on a sheet of wax paper.
3. Cover with another sheet of wax paper of the same size.
4. Place this wax paper/crayon/wax paper sandwich between two pieces of cotton fabric and press with a hot iron.
5. Allow to cool and unveil your crayon melt masterpiece.