Beating The Boredom Blues   by V Brown

School holidays or even weekends can often be a test in your patience as kids the world over somehow find themselves with nothing to do. More often than not at some stage during a holiday break parents will hear a repetitive cry of 'I'm bored' and even though as a parent we offer our children a multitude of options it's never the right thing.

If you're children are suffering the boredom blues there alternatives to hooking them up to the computer or switching the television on just to give yourself a reprieve.

While most kids balk at the idea of doing chores, especially during their holidays, if you offer them the chance to help with tasks they wouldn't normally do many will jump at the chance. Having your child help cook the family meal for example is often a great way to not only spend some time with your child but gives them a feeling of maturity, particularly if given some say over what the meal is. Take it a step further and let them follow a recipe (there are a lot of recipes for kids, those that are easy to make and follow) and they'll get a great joy in presenting the evening meal.

Tell your kids to read a book to beat the boredom and a lot will screw their noses up at you, ask them to make a play out of it and it's a different story. The same with movies, if your child has a movie they are particularly fond of see if they can re-enact certain scenes from memory.

Going through old clothes can quickly be turned into a fashion parade.

Sorting photographs can become an arts and crafts activity as they design new photo frames for them.

Writing different lyrics to their favourite tunes is a great way to stimulate their minds.

These are just a couple of examples, with a little imagination and some preparation there are no doubt countless ways you can keep your children amused, often times with the simplest of ideas.

About the Author

For further information and ideas please visit V Brown at Fun For Kids For other Family related articles and information please visit Family Life