For many of you, school is out and kids are excited to sleep in and not have homework to do. However, if your house is anything like my house, sometimes the “Mom, I’m bored or hungry” statement starts to rule the day. It seems like whatever I suggest for my kids, it’s not the right thing. Frankly, I get tired of coming up with
activity and snack ideas that mostly lead to never-ending debates.

A few years ago, I was attending a workshop on parenting ideas and someone in the class had this to offer. It’s called the “I’m bored jar” and I have extended it to the “I’m hungry jar.” The idea behind the jars is that you and your kids come up with activities, chores, work projects and food ideas (for the hungry jar). Some of the activities are fun and others are maybe not so fun, like loading the dishwasher or cleaning the garage. If your kids can’t come up with an idea themselves, then they go to the jar.

Now, they might end up getting a fun idea in which you have to follow up and provide that activity or they end up getting a project around the house. Bottom line is, you no longer have to debate with them about being bored or hungry—they just go to the jar and see what they get.

Here are some ideas that I have put in our family's “I’m bored” jar:

• Go to the pool or park.
• Paint crafts (usually this means a
  trip to the local craft store).
• Coloring pages of the Disney website.
• Help mom with laundry.
• Unload the dishwasher.
• Practice basketball or soccer in the
  backyard.
• Write a letter or draw a picture to a
  friend or family member.

I also have a list of healthy snack ideas that work wonders for the sudden munchies:

• Carrots (any veggie) with a dip.
• Cut-up fruit.
• Drink of water (often times hunger is
  really an indication of thirst).
• Frozen juice pops made in ice trays.
• Celery with peanut butter and raisins.
• Homemade muffins/bread (yes, I have
  to help with that one).
• Fruit smoothies.
• Make a dessert for after dinner.

You can decide what type of activities and snack ideas will work best for your family. In any case, it helps your kids either find their own creative activities or
they run the chance of getting house work. In addition, you are providing healthy
snack options for them instead of them rummaging through the pantry looking for
junk food.

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