The more kids are used to be scheduled, the harder it is for them to find ways to fill their time. It will take some “practice” with them being bored to learn how to entertain themselves. I have a 10 yo & also a 5 yo. They rarely ask for electronics because it’s not the default and not usually an option. My 10 yo really likes to have time to hang out at home.
Here’s some of the stuff they do:
-art/craft projects
-legos
-pretend school with their toys
-just play in general with their toys
-play in the yard together
-color/draw/write stories
-older kid does things like organize his books & label them like he has his own library
-play board games
-puzzles
-read books

Together, sometimes we:
-cook/bake
-do simple science experiments
-I have the older on practice cursive or math or something
-chores/cleaning

You can sit down with your kids & make a list together of things they can do when they are bored. They can refer back to the list as needed throughout the summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they are at camp all day, I don't see what the big deal is letting them play electronics until dinner. After dinner, you can take a walk or bike ride.

This, what is with the dcum extreme pearl clutching about "electronics"? What if they were doing drawing/reading, for example, on the dreaded electronics? Would it then be okay?

Call it pearl clutching, but electronics are a tool. I don’t want my kids using them as the default for passing the time. Hell, I don’t want that for myself, either.

Google pruning and the developing brain. The habits that you were creating in your kids now, are the ones that will stick. Is this how you want them spending their free time over the long-haul?

Anonymous wrote:This is not your problem, it's theirs, and they need to solve it. Just say no electronics until X time or only X minutes per day or whatever, and then let them figure out how to fill the time. Reading, drawing, writing, legos, painting, knitting, sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, science experiments, card games, magic tricks, etc. If they complain too much, give them chores to do. They'll figure it out, and their brains will be better for it.

+1

My kids know that if they don’t figure out something on their own, I have things they can play with, including a vacuum cleaner, a broom, sponges, mumps, the list goes on. There is also plenty of weeding to be done in the garden, and my kids start mowing the lawn at about 12 years old.

DS, 7, comes home from camp and wants to watch a video on YouTube. I let him watch one for 30 minutes. He has been at camp from 9-3 and is in aftercare until 4:30. That is a nice, solid amount of time playing and socializing. I have no problem with him chilling in front of the TV for 30 minutes. If he wants to watch more, he can do some work out of his workbook. Some days he chooses to do the extra work, some days he picks up a book, some days he sits on the couch and stares at nothing. And those are all just fine.

Anonymous wrote:If they are at camp all day, I don't see what the big deal is letting them play electronics until dinner. After dinner, you can take a walk or bike ride.

Totally agree

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not your problem, it's theirs, and they need to solve it. Just say no electronics until X time or only X minutes per day or whatever, and then let them figure out how to fill the time. Reading, drawing, writing, legos, painting, knitting, sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, science experiments, card games, magic tricks, etc. If they complain too much, give them chores to do. They'll figure it out, and their brains will be better for it.

NP I would love for my DC to do any of these but no siblings to play with. Does this approach work for just one kid? and how long can it keep them occupied?

NP (and I have an only), but why wouldn't it work for one kid? As long as they're not an extreme extrovert. And then, if they are, the kids we're talking about here should be old enough to get out and find friends in the neighborhood, or have them over... If that's not possible, you've got a *very* specific problem: an extreme extrovert with no way to hang out with friends.

Anonymous wrote:If they are at camp all day, I don't see what the big deal is letting them play electronics until dinner. After dinner, you can take a walk or bike ride.

This, what is with the dcum extreme pearl clutching about "electronics"? What if they were doing drawing/reading, for example, on the dreaded electronics? Would it then be okay?

Anonymous wrote:This is not your problem, it's theirs, and they need to solve it. Just say no electronics until X time or only X minutes per day or whatever, and then let them figure out how to fill the time. Reading, drawing, writing, legos, painting, knitting, sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, science experiments, card games, magic tricks, etc. If they complain too much, give them chores to do. They'll figure it out, and their brains will be better for it.

NP I would love for my DC to do any of these but no siblings to play with. Does this approach work for just one kid? and how long can it keep them occupied?

Backyard work
Cooking from scratch
Swimming
Library programs
Biking

Could you sign them up for aftercare at camp? We both WOH so aftercare it is. Rising 3rd grader gets to play more with friends, does private swim lessons, etc. in aftercare. Comes home around 5:30 and has an hour or so to kill before dinner--could be cartoons, reading, summer packet, etc. After dinner it's violin practice, shower, and bed by 8:30.

My boys fight with each other all afternoon and complain to me. It’s fun...

Anonymous wrote:and do math every day. This takes my 11 year old a good 1-2 hours. About 15-30 minutes of actual work and 45-90 minutes of laying on the floor saying that he can't believe he has to do math over the

A procrastinator after my own heart

If they are at camp all day, I don't see what the big deal is letting them play electronics until dinner. After dinner, you can take a walk or bike ride.

Chore list. Make 2 lists: A and B. Kid #1 does the A list one week and then switches to the B list the following week. Think of some daily chores. For example, help you with dinner, set table, empty garbage and dishwasher, clean bathroom, etc

Anonymous wrote:Have each child make dinner 1 night. They must prepare the menu, make a list, get the stuff with you on the weekend, and then make it on their assigned night, with their sibling doing the dishes. That takes up 2 of their nights. They should have chores, a book going, and outside time. You can fill up that time for them or they can - their choice - but your stuff won't be as fun.

Be careful with this. I once had my son clean the bathroom floor with a toothbrush and he enjoyed it so much he asked if it could be his job that he would do monthly. Weird little kid. I said yes, obviously, acting like it was a huge sacrifice on my part.