Summer holidays is nearly upon us, which means updating our summer bored jar activities. We have had a bored jar for the last four years and it has become something of a tradition in the Mad House, but the boys are getting bigger, so in addition to a bored jar, I have got a fab printable too

I do not have an issue with my boys being bored, in fact I am more than happy for them to have time to become bored and to learn to occupy themselves. Contrary to popular belief, I am not supermum and I do not spend every waking minute filling my boys lives up with crafts and supervised activities. What I want to do is help the boys find things that they enjoy and to stop their first choice being a screen.

A lot of the boys’ summer is spent outdoors with friends, playing football, cricket, cycling and just generally having fun out and about. The bored jar comes in to its own on days when we are stuck inside and I have to catch up on some work.

I love that you can have a bored jar to suit all ages or type of child. I think they are a fab alternative to a summer bucket list.

Summer bored jar activities

Ultimate summer activities lists and bored Jar lists

Click to download this year’s Ultimate bored jar in PDF format

Download your free Summer Bored Jar Activities Printable

Why not print out our fab poster and put it on the wall for the summer.

Ultimate summer activities Letter

Ultimate summer activities A4

Make sure you are following our summer Pinterest board for more fab activities
Follow Jen Walshaw’s board Summer activities and crafts for kids on Pinterest.

28 thoughts on “Summer Bored Jar Activities”

Kim Carberry June 18, 2015 at 11:16 am

I think I am going to try one of these jars with my two over the summer holidays….It looks like a great idea x

Rebecca Smith June 18, 2015 at 12:15 pm

We will definitely be trying out one of these jars for the summer – we want to keep busy, busy, busy =)

Eva Cooper June 18, 2015 at 12:19 pm

The idea with the jar is really good. You’ll never get bored.

Liz Burton June 18, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Yet again, fabulous inspiration. I need to make one of these, the summer holiday seems so long!

angela hamilton June 18, 2015 at 1:18 pm

awesome ideas here loving the idea of the jar!! with 8 weeks of holidays ahead I need something lol x

Sonia June 18, 2015 at 2:21 pm

I think I’ll make a summer bored jar with the kids this weekend. We are unplugging for the summer so we may need it 😉

Sonia June 18, 2015 at 2:22 pm

When I say we I mean they 😉 I’ll still be plugging in when they are in bed lol

Michelle June 18, 2015 at 4:40 pm

What a great poster to have up on the fridge or wall for the summer hols! I’m sending my boy out to find a job this summer 😛

Erica Price June 18, 2015 at 4:59 pm

Great to have some ideas to hand for those bored moments.

Leona S Fisher June 18, 2015 at 6:09 pm

What a clever idea! Perfect for bored kids in the summer holidays!

Rachel June 19, 2015 at 11:31 am

This is such a brilliant idea, so clever x

Sarah Bailey June 19, 2015 at 9:21 pm

What a great idea, I wonder if I could stop the other half being bored with one. x

Pinkoddy June 20, 2015 at 10:44 am

Wow thank you for so many wonderful ideas

Kara June 22, 2015 at 6:39 am

What a brilliant idea!!

Donna @OrdCyclingGirl June 22, 2015 at 7:18 am

Some great ideas here! These are just what I was looking for in preparation for the summer hols. Where has the school year gone!!

Globalmouse June 23, 2015 at 8:01 pm

I love the idea of a bored jar…just what our summer holidays need, thank you!!

VaiChin @RamblingThroughParenthood June 23, 2015 at 9:52 pm

Great idea! I will be making one to keep us busy this summer. Thanks for sharing.

Charly Dove June 26, 2015 at 11:25 pm

So love the bored jar Jen, it’s such a brilliant idea. I was thinking we’re not quite there yet but we’ve decided Poppy should finish pre-school earlier so hopefully we’ll be able to squeeze in more fun things before she starts school. I’ll be coming back here I’m sure 🙂