I have a housefull of bored kids ages 12 - 16. All girls. No one drives yet. I can't seem to get them involved in sports or any kind of classes or anything. Three of them are in summer school, which ends at 1:00. The other one is at home all day. I work from home and could take them places but no one ever has any idea what to do. If their friends are busy, they are just lost. They lay around watching TV, listening to music or texting their friends. Yesterday, I forced my 12 & 14-year-olds to come outside with me and play basketball in the driveway. You'd think I was torturing the youngest one! The older one had fun with it. I need some ideas on free or cheap entertainment, projects, events, anything...especially things they can do while I'm working!
I'm not sure where you live but could you plan fun outings? The zoo is always a fun freebie. That's my first idea.
Second, and MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY, in my opinion, is that I personally would tell them that they better find some activity to participate in or you will find something for them! Bored teens are dangerous teens! If nothing else, you can make them volunteer somewhere, baby-sit, SOMETHING!
Unfortunately I don't have any advice, but am glad to see that I'm not alone. I have a bored 12 yr old as well, I hope someone has some good suggestions.
make them do chores to earn to do things. set a limit on how long they can watch tv or computer. take them to ride bike or go for walks and a picnic. There are gret parks around St Charles, wentzville, st louis, Quail ride have a alot of play things and a great place to walk and fisbee game. progress park has a pool. do some crafts with them.
Hi R.!
I used to work for a cable company and a lot of parents would cancel their cable subscription during the summer to force their kids to get outside and play. Not sure what to say about the phones except why would they need them if they don't go anywhere? You should take possession of the phones unless they are out and about and need to get in touch with you.
My mother forced me, my brother, and my sister to all get jobs when we were old enough (14) so we didn't sit around all summer. We wanted the name brand clothes and she refused to buy them, so I spent the summer working 40 hours a week so I could shop for nice clothes come back-to-school time. Looking back, it taught me a lot about money management, self esteem, how to treat people, how to WORK. While I complained about working at McD's (torture to serve your friends), I will make my kids work when they're old enough - for the same reasons my mother made me work.
Good luck!
Maybe some of those art kits at Circle of Knowledge. They have a lot of neat and different games. Board games maybe? One art kit involves making a mosaic stepping stone, and there are probably others. Might be expensive, but they might enjoy it.
