The Tennessee Home

May 9, 2006

The Bored Wheel

Do you ever find your children walking around with 'nothing to do'? Do they seem to run out of ideas to keep them busy, too soon after spring/summer break begins? They think they are BORED. This is my dc and then some! We don't watch TV at our house (see this post) so our dc spend all day during breaks looking for things to do/make/play. That's where our "Bored Wheel" comes in handy.

We made a cardboard spinner with 30 numbered divisions on it. On the back of the "Bored Wheel" we have listed #1-30 with an idea to do beside each number. Examples: play Lego, read, do puzzles, ride bikes, make a craft, wash the car, practice the piano, clean your room, go fishing...etc. As you can see, some things are more fun to do than others. Our rule is that if you choose to spin the "Bored Wheel" then you MUST do whatever it says. Fun or not so fun. This (sometimes) helps them to think of their own things to do without using the "wheel"...they are afraid they will have to 'dust the house' or some other such tragic job.

I got this idea from a friend who has a "Bored Box" where she lists on small slips of paper different ideas and her dc draw from the box when bored. I thought my 'wheel' idea would take up less shelf space.

Right now my dc (ages 11 and 8) are making race cars out of large boxes they found in the basement. Creativity stretches their minds. I love my job!
~Betsy

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Comments

May 11, 2006 - Great idea!

Posted by jenniferwells

I will try this out on my 9 year old. She is saying she is bored already. We just moved to TN 6 months ago. We live near Nashville. I enjoyed reading your entry. I am placing you on my friends list so I can check back.

In His Love,
Jen

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May 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

what a very fun idea! i may have to try that...

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May 13, 2006 - great!

Posted by Jimmie

That's a fabulous idea! And making the wheel itself could be the first boredom buster! Love it! Next time I hear "I'm bored," I'll pull out the cardstock and a paper fastener! :-)

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May 14, 2006 - Great Idea!

Posted by jmj403

We are in the middle of a break and I constantly hear this from my girls! This is a great alternative to sitting them in front of the TV.

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May 16, 2006 - Hi, it's me again..

Posted by iluvmy3chickiesandtheirdaddy2

I just left a comment on your "women's retreat" post and read this post. I love this idea!!!!!

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May 16, 2006 - Great Idea

Posted by jaminacema

This is really great. I always tell people my kids are not allowed to be bored! LOL If they ever say they are bored I can always find something for them to do! (Math, dusting, picking up dog doo in the back yard!) It's amazing how they can keep themselves busy when they know the alternatives! LOL Needless to say, I rarely ever hear that anyone is bored...

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May 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mrssulli

I think I'm going to borrow the "bored box" idea. If my girls say they are bored, I tell them it is time to clean. Maybe this will make it a little more fun when I tell them that!

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May 17, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by HouseMouse

I am going to have to give this a try! We homeschool year-round, in large part because if I don't school them I have to come up with something else for them to do! I'm thinking how to adapt the "wheel" to our house! Thanks!- HouseMouse

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May 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by writmm

Do you have to mow all 6 acres? With a push mower? Wow, you got me beat, we have 10, but only mow about 2, the rest is woods! But it does make the numbers go up on the pedometer;)

I am looking forward to walking on the beach next week!

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May 20, 2006 - sounds great

Posted by ClagettsFLStyle

My dd's are 12 and 13. They are all to happy to veg in front of the computer or TV. This sounds like a good idea. Giving them the chance to think of some things to put on the bored wheel - we might do the box idea though..

We are in a new house, so we have lot's of projects around here to do too. Mom just needs to get organized. LOL

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