Wednesday, June 04, 2008

WFMW: "Mom, I'm Bored!"

"Only boring people get bored!"

That's what my mom used to say, anyway. So, of course, that's what I hear myself saying to my kids when I hear, "Mom, I'm bored!" Although that's not something I've heard them say much over the years, because by the time they finish that sentence a math book, toilet brush, Swiffer duster or Bible has been thrust into their hand.

This is "Mom, I'm Bored!" week at WFMW. It didn't take me long to think of something (besides the toilet brush and the Swiffer) that keeps boredom at bay at our house.

A few years ago I bought a book called "The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions." I thought it looked like something we might enjoy. I had no idea. One day, I asked the to look through it and mark some of the concoctions they thought looked fun. Here's what our book looks like now... Do you see all of the post-it markers sticking out all over? We have enjoyed this book to death!




We have made the spray sidewalk chalk (pictured), used the salt dough recipe for our salt maps, made numerous batches of silly putty, volcanoes, coffee play dough, flavored lip gloss, and so many others I can't remember them all. I just picked up the book to thumb through it to remind myself, and the cover fell right off! It has been well-loved! Recently I ordered Super Science Concoctions, but there is also an Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions 2 . While I was searching for the title on Amazon just now, I came across Kid Concoctions of Biblical Proportions which ties in Bible themes. (That one is currently residing in my Amazon shopping cart.) Apparently there is a whole series of these books. There's even a Kid Concoctions website. Fun!

One thing I like about the book is that it uses common, inexpensive ingredients and household objects. When the kids decided which ones they wanted to do, I made a list and went to Walmart and the Dollar store and stocked up on what they would need, and then kept it all together so it wouldn't be a big deal when we decided to make something.

So, for some relatively cheap, somewhat educational, boredom-busting fun this summer... try "Kid Concoctions." It works for us!

For more ideas, visit Rocks In My Dryer.

7 comments:

Llama Momma said...

This book looks great!! Thanks for the tip.

The Happy Housewife said...

We have that book and my kids LOVE it! It was one of the best presents they have ever received!
Great idea!
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I'm putting that one on my Amazon wish list. Sounds like tons of fun.

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

This is going in my shopping cart too. Cyndi, this looks great and something I can see my two older boys 11 and almost 8 enjoying. I have been on the hunt for some fun things to do this summer. Thanks for helping me.

Tricia said...

We love these books too! The "glow-in-the-dark slime" has been a hit at our son's birthday parties for several years running. They have a Christmas book as well.

Alycia said...

Thank you SO much for the book links! I know my kiddos will love them too! I already have a couple sitting in my shopping cart now :)

Family O'Foxes said...

We have that book somewhere! I should find it!

I was checking your homeschool blog (I have that one on feeds) and thought it has been awhile since you posted and then I remembered you have this blog also.
Congrats on your upcoming adoption. Seems like just yesterday I remember that post of you going camping and talking about adopting.
~Amy