Bored Bucket Printable—120 Activities to Keep Kids Busy
Got bored kids at home this summer? Use this free bored bucket printable to make a bucket filled with activities to keep them busy.
When my girls were smaller, I spent a long time making them a bored bucket for the summer. I got some large popsicle sticks, painted them all black, and used a silver sharpie to write down activities they could do if they got bored.
One of my daughters in particular absolutely loved this. She routinely drew sticks out of the bucket and diligently did whatever activity that was given—even if it was a chore. Because, yes, I put both chores and fun activities in the bucket.
That same daughter is now 17 years old and still enjoys drawing from the bored bucket. Last summer, she even made her own bored jar filled with more teenage appropriate activities, and still uses it often.
She inspired me to make a bored bucket printable. If she loved it so much, I’m sure there are plenty of other kids out there that would love it, too.
I kept with the popsicle stick idea, and I even used all the old black painted popsicles to make the updated version. It turned out really cute!
Following are directions to make your own bored bucket using the printable I have provided. If you are just interested in finding activities to add to a bored jar without using the printable, those are included at the end of the post.
How to make a Bored Bucket
Supplies needed:
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- 120 jumbo craft sticks
- A small bucket(a jar out of your cupboard would also work just fine!)
- Scissors
- Glue—PVA glue is the best for gluing paper to wood
- The free bored bucket printable included in this post (scroll to end)
Directions:
1. Print out the printable by scrolling to the end of this post and filling out the form.
2. Cut out the printable activities. Recruit your kids to help with this part!
3. Using the PVA glue, glue each activity to the craft sticks.
Note: I used a regular glue stick on mine and they are not holding up well—I highly recommend getting the PVA glue.
4. Put the sticks into the bucket.
5. Turn bored kids into engaged kids!
120 Activities to Beat Boredom
Here are the activities I included on the printable. The printable also has a page of blanks so you can add your own ideas, too!
Download the Bored Bucket printable
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These activities include fun activities that can be done at home, chores, and some activities you may need to leave the house for or that may cost money. If you do not have the time or resources for certain activities, make sure you don’t include them in your bored bucket.
- Pack a picnic for the park
- Do an art project
- Write a story
- Blow bubbles
- Plan the weekly dinner menu
- Invite a friend over
- Plan a family game night
- Write a thank you note
- Bake cookies
- Do three pages of math
- Do a craft project
- Do sidewalk chalk
- Do 50 jumping jacks
- Clean out a dresser drawer
- Read a book
- Make a gift for someone
- Make slime
- Do a nature scavenger hunt
- Jump on the trampoline
- Walk the dog
- Learn 10 words in Spanish
- Organize the magazine bin
- Make a sock puppet
- Clean out the junk drawer
- Play a video game
- Play water balloon baseball
- Read a book
- Wash the car
- Play with Play-doh
- Make homemade popsicles
- Do a lemonade stand
- Clean out your closet
- Play hopscotch
- Run through the sprinklers
- Clean the baseboards
- Call grandma
- Weed the garden
- Go for a run
- Make a pillow fort
- Pop popcorn and watch a movie
- Build something with LEGO
- Dance to loud music
- Climb a tree
- Unload the dishwasher
- Have a paper airplane race
- Play a card game
- Go for a bike ride
- Plant some flower seeds
- Clean the bathroom
- Play catch
- Go to a friend’s house
- Water the garden
- Make a family tree
- FaceTime a friend
- Learn 5 vocabulary words
- Fold a load of laundry
- Make a comic book
- Sort the laundry
- Make a scrapbook page
- Mop the kitchen
- Organize the bathroom
- Watch a DVD
- Play football
- Finger paint
- Fly a kite
- Vacuum the living room
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
- Write in your journal
- Learn a new song
- Clean your room
- Do a science experiment
- Gather rocks and paint them
- Do 50 push ups
- Clean under your bed
- Make a funny video
- Make S’mores
- Make a pinecone bird feeder
- Write a letter to someone
- Play soccer
- Paint with water colors
- Make a vision board
- Do a sewing project
- Take some cool photos
- Play with the dog
- Redecorate your room
- Do a photoshoot with friends
- Pick wildflowers
- Bake a cake
- Go on a hike
- Clean out the fridge
- Make a sandwich
- Have a water gun fight
- Jump rope
- Play a board game
- Learn origami
- Make a stop motion video
- Play charades
- Dust the living room
- Play hide and seek
- Invent your own board game
- Learn 5 words in Korean
- Write a book report
- Go letterboxing
- Do 1 chore of Mom’s choice
- Make an obstacle course
- Do a service for someone
- Make a time capsule
- Have a water balloon fight
- Clean the toilet
- Water the houseplants
- Watch funny YouTube videos
- Go to the playground
- Learn how to tie knots
- Interview a family member
- Go roller blading
- Go swimming
- Build a fort outside
- Load the dishwasher
- Take a nap
There are plenty of things to do to keep kids from boredom—but remember that creativity is borne out of boredom, too. Sometimes it’s ok for kids to be bored.
Hopefully this bored bucket will help to inspire and spark their own creativity and keep your kids happy and busy.
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