“There’s Nothing to Do” Game

On long summer days our children often complain that “there’s nothing to do.” We found a solution to that problem: with the children’s help, we choose various activities, then write each activity on an index card. (Watching television is not one of the choices.) When a child wants something to do, he draws a card, then must do what’s on that card. Here are some examples:

• Color

• Make a present

• Read a book for twenty minutes

• Tell someone a story

• Eat a popsicle

• Practice piano or singing

• Weed the garden

• Organize your sock drawer

• Take your brother to the park

• Memorize a Bible scripture

• Draw your own maze

• Cook something

• Play with play dough

• Clean the bathroom mirror

• Memorize one Article of Faith

• Count your money

• Pick up your room

• Draw a picture for someone

• Work on Scouting

• Have a water fight outside

• Write a letter

• Rest and think for ten minutes

• Eat some fruit

• Sweep the kitchen floor

• Play a game on the computer

• Build a fort with blankets

• Listen to cassette story tapes

• Build something with blocks

• Do crossword puzzle or word find

• Look at photo albums

• Ride your bike around the block

• Talk or sing into a cassette tape

The cards can be modified for winter activities, and a different set of cards can be prepared listing appropriate Sunday activities.

Since we started this we rarely hear “There’s nothing to do.”—Janine Miller Lund, El Paso, Texas

Illustrated by Lapine Overy