SBBK - Boredom Buster 1

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Fun!

My kids enjoy playing with the weirdest things.

I found these cups in the clearance party section at Walmart. I spent a quarter for each package.

At school, in Gym, my son learned about cup stacking.

So, that is what we did today!

Everyone enjoyed playing with them.

I mean LOVED it!

This is fun for all ages, and they have asked several times to play with the cups since I pulled them out the first time!

Try it!

SBBK - Writing 4

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

A while ago, I was cleaning out my craft room and found these foam letters.

I can't remember why I bought them, but my daughters have begged to use them on their "projects."

So, that is what we did today! 

My little one would pick a letter, say it out loud, and then stick it on someone's paper.

 Then that kid would have to write 2 words that start with that letter.

 They loved this!

 We did it until the paper was filled up.

For my older son, I gave him a letter and he would have to come up with an alliteration for that letter.

He did 10 sentences and we called it good.

Just another way to stretch their minds, get their hands writing, and enjoy their imaginations!

SBBK - Writing 3

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

Something that is fun, and makes you "write" without thinking about it is LETTER WRITING!

First I printed out Parts of Letter Writing from HERE

and my gals colored it.

Then we talked about it a little bit more.

 Then they wrote to a Disney Princess of their choice. 

 Except my son. He wrote to his Auntie.

 Then we ran out to the mailbox. Each kid had 2 letters each.

 Not bad for a 5 year old.

The addresses to a princess/disney character are:

Walt Disney World Communications

P.O. Box 10040

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Or, if you'd prefer, you can receive a black and white photo if you write to your chosen character at this address:

Walt Disney Company

Attn: Fan Mail Department

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, CA 91521

SBBK - Writing 2

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

This is a Repost from OCTOBER 2012, still doing it today. 

The littler kids love it just as much!

Easy Canvas!

My kids love to draw(l). It is nice to not waste paper every once in a while. So, I bought these dry erase markers and gave each kid a paper towel and gave them my bathroom mirror.

These markers are for the mirror only.

To start, you need 3 adorable girls.

not a requirement. ;)

I let them get on the counter, and go to town on the mirror!

 They would have done this for hours.

This is a great place to keep them occupied while you are folding laundry,  or cleaning. :)

SBBK - Writing 1

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

I have to confess that I have my kids writing every single day. (including the weekend)

I want their handwriting/penmanship to be stellar, so I push it every single day.

Reading is the same way. They must read 20-30 minutes a day.

Okay, rant over.

Something I am using for my kids is Handwriting Without Tears.

They do this workbook probably 3x a week.

 Different levels, different activities, all quiet. They have to do 4 pages (of their choice) during quiet time/naptime.

My 3 year old and 2 year old enjoy coloring on the walls.

Literally!

We have a chalkboard and whiteboard system on our walls down stairs.

The reward for taking a nap without a fight (somedays) is writing.

My kids nap until they turn 5.

It is what works for them AND me.

I love seeing improvements in my children's handwriting over the summer.

I know everything is going to technology and cursive is a thing of the past, but not for my kiddos.

My son started cursive in May and is really enjoying it. I think I am the only person who still uses cursive, who is under the age of 35. Haha.

SBBK - Cooking 4

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - COOKING!

Here are previous cooking ideas from years PAST.

THIS IS A REPOST!!

Its original post date was : October 2012!

We like to have a little adventure and let the kids make their own dinner...sometimes.

Last night, I wrote a bunch of ingredients on different pieces of paper and the kids chose what we were having.

They chose: Mushroom, Garlic, Spinach, and Pineapples.

(We had pineapples on the side)

We made quesadillas.

 I sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and spinach and put them all in separate bowls.

The kids then built them.

 The kids were pretty happy with their creations.

 It was a fun family night, and made a perfect meatless monday!

*We do this kind of dinner at least once a month. I usually write what randoms I have in my fridge*

SBBK - Cooking 3

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - COOKING!

My 3 year old and I had a cooking date. We decided to make a sweet treat. This one was particularly easy!

And so good!

Cinnamon Chip Scones!  From FeedingBig.com.

Here is the recipe!

Ingredients

1. 3 cups flour
2. 2 1/2 tsp. Clabber Girl baking powder
3. 1/2 tsp baking soda
4. 1/3 cup sugar
5. pinch of McCormick Allspice
6. 1 stick butter, cut into small pieces
7. 3/4 cup Hershey cinnamon chips
8. 1/2 - 3/4 cup milk
9. 1 egg, for egg wash
10. Cinnamon Sugar to sprinkle

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix dry ingredients into a large bowl. Work in the cut butter until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
3. Add the chips and toss.
4. Add milk slowly until the dough comes together.
5. Remove from bowl and shape into a square that is 1 inch thick. Cut into triangles. Place each triangle on a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper.
6. Beat egg in small bowl and brush a small amount on each scone.
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Let cool.

By Cynthia L.

Try It! Let your kids help!

SBBK - Cooking 2

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - COOKING!

Have you heard of Super Healthy Kids?

I decided this recipe would be perfect for my 5 year old to make for family dinner.

I made a few tweaks.

 Instead of doing double beans I swapped the black beans for left over chicken and added green chilies to the chicken. Because of the chilies I nixed the salsa. 

My kids were big fans, and we will be having them again.

 My 5 year old did EVERYTHING except put in the oven, and take out of the oven.

Here is HER recipe:

• 6 tortillas
  
• 1 egg white
  
• 1 can refried beans (fat-free or mashed pinto beans)
• 1 can El Pato Salsa de Chile Fresco
• 2 tsp Oil
  
• Shredded Cheese
• Desired Toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, Cilantro, Salsa, Sour Cream, Plain Yogurt

Add egg whites to a bowl and mix with whisk.
Add beans to the middle of your tortilla, and sprinkle with cheese.
Begin folding your tortilla. Start with one side and fold up an inch and then fold sides and then add more egg white where you make the last fold.
Flash-fry chimis by placing in a pan of 2 tsp oil on medium-high heat. Heat on both sides for 1 minute until golden brown.  Place chimichangas onto a pan covered in foil, seam-side down.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

---

Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	12 minutes
Yield	6 Servings

Try it! Let your kids help!

SBBK - Cooking 1

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - COOKING!

My kids love to be involved in the kitchen.

How about yours?

This week, I have 4 simple ideas to get your kids in the kitchen with minimal mess.

First up, Scrambled Eggs.

My oldest will be 8 next month and I thought he should be able to handle scrambled eggs.

***

In my house during the school year, I have designated days for breakfasts.

Monday and Friday is cold cereal

Tuesday is Eggs (in some form) and toast

Wednesday is Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Cracked Wheat, 

or the like (my 6 year old says Porridge) usually served with fruit and milk

Thursdays is Muffins (which I make the night before)

Saturday is Daddy's Breakfast (usually fancy pancakes)

Sunday we have a Fun Breakfast for dinner so the morning is usually bagels or cereal.

This helps get good food into my kids, and helps us not go through 12 boxes of cereal a week.

Because my husbands favorite thing is cereal. He even eats it for dessert sometimes.

I am confident that my 6.5 year old could make scrambled eggs as well.
But, my almost 8 year old would like to try to make them regularly for the family. So here's what he did.

I usually have a plate near the eggs for the cracked ones to go. 

Less mess. 

We also had some left over strawberries so I had him cut those too.

No complaints!

I usually make all eggs with oil instead of butter. They fry up better, in my opinion.