Help..my ds12 is bored..

[JaneNickerson]

What do you do when the dc say they are bored? Ds12 is finished his lessons earlier than the others. He does his chores. He reads many hours a day. He plays outside. But he is bored. I don't know how else to describe it. He needs some adventure and fun in his life! Any suggestions for this summer? Maybe into the fall too ?!

[Carol in Cal.]

As long as they can't turn to something anesthetizing, like drugs, or TV, or computer games, they will probably figure out something cool to do.

My view is that kids should be exposed to all kinds of materials and tools, and have some free time to figure out how to use them, either from books or mentors or even from other kids.

Does he have wood working tools? Does he have wood?

Does he have a solar model car kit?

Does he have Snap Circuits?

Does he have a good place to build a club house or a tree house?

Does he have a basketball hoop? How about a small garden? Could he be an urban homesteader (that's a book I just bought for myself, but have not read yet.)

Does he want to start his own business? What does he know how to do?

How about a club that works through codes and spying? Or a board game day twice a month? How about Tuesday teatime?

Does he like to hike? Could he join the Sierra Club and participate in some of their hikes?

How about planning a camping trip?

[angela in ohio]

I have a 12 yo girl, so I may not have the best boy suggestions, but some I can think of...

Whittling (start with soap, then wood)
Making models (cars, ships, etc.)
Electricity kit (wires, batteries, etc.)
Gardening
Woodworking (build a stool, bookshelf, doghouse, birdhouse...)
Paint a room, the shed, the house...
Lend him out to friends who need labor done
Tear apart engines
Tear apart and diagram an old VCR, toaster, etc.