Running out of ways to keep your children busy? Here are 10 fun games to play at home with your kids on a boring day!

Your little ones are out of school for the summer and, as much as you love them, you have to admit it is not easy to keep them busy. In the beginning, they played with their toys and their friends. They played with the dog and the cat. They watched television and used their imagination for things to do. They actually managed to entertain themselves quite well. That was in the beginning of the summer.

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Then the day came when your kids declared the inevitable “We’re bored. There is nothing to do!” You recited the normal suggestions, all struck down faster than you could say them. That is when the thought came to you “This going to be a long summer!” But it doesn’t have to be.

Have A Game Day With Your Kids!

Some of the games we are recommending were created long ago. That is fine. Fun games never go out of style and, if your children are young, they will be brand new to them.

So, do you have to drop everything to play? If you have an older son or daughter who would like to take the lead, game day may actually give you some time to yourself. If not, do plan to participate for the sake of your younger children.

Even if you are not a player, there are ways you can help to make things go more smoothly:

1.Help them learn the process. Rules, for little kids, may have to be more like “suggestions.” It is a great opportunity to teach your little kiddos about taking turns.

2.Provide snacks or drinks. Reserve the food for times that you take a break so that nothing gets spilled on the game itself.

3.Clean up can be a joint effort but ultimately you may be cleaning up most of the snacks, table, and toys when the children are finished. Tip: put on some “music to clean by” and make it fun!

Games You All Can Play

Touch and feel game

This is an easy guessing game that will keep your children busy with little help from you. Take a shoe-box with a lid, and cut a child size hand hole in the side. Select several items to place in the box, one at a time. The children must keep their eyes closed while you stuff the box. Each player takes a turn putting their hand inside to feel it and guess what the object is. When you have a winner, he gets the first try with the next item, Keep the item in the box until each child has had a turn, the change the item. You can set a timer and give the children 1 minute to guess, then move on to the next item.

Make straw bubbles

Children love to play with bubbles but you are not going to hand them a jar of bubbles and let them soak our house. Instead, have each child sit at the table. Using a small container, place a dime size dab of liquid dish soap. Add a few drops of water so that is thick enough to form soap around the end of a straw. Give each child a drinking straw. Have them dip the straw straight down in the solution and gently blow from the other end of the straw. You may need to test it to make sure it is the right texture. The child who blows the biggest bubble wins.

Balance beam

Your kids can help you prepare for this game. Grab some construction paper and masking tape. Tape a “beam” all over the place (avoid stairs, of course). Blindfold the kids and have them remove their shoes and stocks. The goal is to walk the beam using only their feet sensations to go on. They can have 3 mistakes, on the fourth, they are out. Have them write their name on the “beam” at the place where they fell off. At the end of the game, the one that made it furthest wins.

Make Paper Boats

Teach your kids how to fold paper into a boat and then float it in the sink, bathtub or kiddie pool. (Water safety is of utmost importance with kids. Do not ever leave a child unattended when playing in or near water.)

Scavenger hunt

Make a list of items your children will be looking for. Hide those items around the house. Set a food timer for 30-minutes. After 30 minutes, the person who found the most items on the list wins.

Traditional games

Pin The Tail On The Donkey

Simon Says

Musical Chairs

Duck, Duck, Goose

Hide and Seek

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