How to Create a Bored Jar (and Activities to Put Inside)

“Moooooooom I’m booooooooored” — sound familiar? 

As kids are home for the summer, it gets increasingly harder to keep them entertained.
Even further, it can be hard to keep them engaged in activities that are dynamic and can teach them life
essons and responsibility. 

To help your kids brainstorm fun activities and keep learning throughout the summer, create a bored jar!
Bored jars are fun, easy crafts that will keep your kids entertained for hours — and as a bonus, they’re
easy to make. 

All you really need to create your bored jar is a jar, shoebox, coffee tin or any other container that can hold
your ideas. Decorating the jar can be a fun activity in itself, so have your kids decorate it with paint, markers,
stickers, or any other craft supplies you have at home. 

Fill the Jar 

[image download]

[label/activities printable download]

When the jar is created, it’s time to fill it with fun activities for your kids. We’ve included a printable list of
activities below, but you can also write your own on popsicle sticks or sheets of paper. 

Fun Activities

1. 30 minutes of TV time
2. Make a pillow fort
3. Play dress up
4. Do a word search
5. Have a picnic
6. Make a puppet show with dolls or socks
7. 30 minutes of computer time
8. Play a board game
9. 1 hour of video games
10. Have a thumb wrestling battle
11. Pillow fight
12. Play charades

Crafty Activities

1. Draw a picture
2. Make paper airplanes
3. Finger painting
4. Make masks out of paper plates
5. Draw your favorite animal
6. Draw with your left hand
7. Make a collage from magazines
8. Do a puzzle
9. Draw a comic book
10. Draw with sidewalk chalk
11. Make a scrapbook
12. Create a time capsule

Healthy Activities

1. Play hide-and-seek
2. Play tag
3. Jump rope
4. Do 50 sit-ups
5. Do a handstand
6. Climb a tree
7. Have a dance party
8. Go swimming
9. Ride your bike for 1 hour
10. Make an obstacle course
11. Play basketball
12. Play kickball

Educational Activities

1. Read for 1 hour
2. Learn the alphabet backwards
3. Recreate a classic art piece
4. Write a short story
5. Write a poem
6. Draw a constellation
7. Draw the solar system 
8. Watch a documentary
9. Plant a seedling
10. Memorize a famous monologue
11. Learn the alphabet in a different language
12. Count to 10 in a different language

Download a printable label and list of activities including blank spaces to come up with your own here. 

Printable Activities

There are many ways to make your bored jar fun and engaging for your kids while also teaching them fun
lessons and getting the whole family involved! 

Time Capsule

[image download]

[PDF activity download]

A time capsule is a great, relatively simple family activity. The first thing you need is a tin or box that can
withstand being buried underground. Fill your box with fun objects from your current life, and be sure to
include letter to your future self. Pick a spot in your backyard and bury the capsule as a family, then decide on
a time that you’ll dig it up!

Puppet Show

[image download]

[PDF activity download]

If your kids has a knack of performing, have them harness that creativity to perform a puppet show!
They can create their own puppets from paper bags or plates, or use these printables ones.
Attach the puppets to sticks or straws, then create a makeshift stage from a box or table. Once they’ve written
the script, sit the family down to watch the performance. 

Plant a Seed

[image download]

[PDF activity download]

Planting seeds is a great way to teach kids responsibility, patience and the beauty of the outdoors.
Use these printable garden labels and  printable growth trackers to make your new garden into a fun art project.
Allow your kids to notice how the seeds grow week by week! Recommended seeds for kids: basil, radish, and
beet. 

Switch It Up 

To keep kids excited about their bored jar, only put 25-30 ideas in at once. Replace activities every few weeks to
keep things fresh!