If you’ve ever heard the words “I’m bored!” five minutes into summer break (or a long car ride), you’re not alone. Whether you’re a parent looking for screen-free fun or a teacher trying to help families stay engaged over the summer, we all want simple, meaningful ways to keep kids learning and creating—even when school is out.
Over the years, I’ve seen how much kids love step-by-step drawing activities. That’s what inspired me to create a How to Draw workbook series filled with kid-friendly illustrations that are easy to follow and super fun to complete. While I’ll share more about those in a bit, I also want to offer something practical you can put together right away: a Boredom Buster Basket.
It’s a go-to grab basket filled with creative, open-ended activities for bored kids during quiet afternoons, road trips, hotel downtime, or rainy summer days at home.
Here’s what I recommend including:
Whether you’re packing for a vacation, prepping for summer break, or just want a go-to solution for screen-free time, this little basket of creative tools can be a game-changer.
Directed drawing builds more than just art skills—it helps children develop focus, creativity, fine motor skills, and confidence. Unlike many summer activities, you don’t need an internet connection, a big budget, or lots of prep time.
Using a workbook with specific drawing examples also makes it easier for kids to get started right away, taking away the guesswork of what things to draw.
Choosing kids drawings with easy step-by-step instructions, simple designs, and ample page space will allow the little ones to work completely independently—limiting both the number of items you’ll need and the amount of interruptions you get!
My How to Draw series of books features basic shapes and simple lines that children can easily follow. With picture instructions at the top and drawing space at the bottom, kids have a clear format to create their masterpieces all in one place.
Here’s a look at the format and more details about the types of drawings included:
These books are great for home use, road trips, and classrooms. I designed them with kids (and busy grown-ups) in mind, so they’re easy to use with minimal mess and maximum creativity.
Grab a basket, or if you’re traveling, consider a zippered pouch to hold the items for easier transport. Place a fun label on the front so kids can easily identify it when they’re searching for a ‘boredom buster’, and toss in some of your favorite creative items.
Children’s books would also make a great addition to this creative set of boredom-busting activities. If you need some ideas, check out a list of my son’s favorite book series. Let the fun begin!
Whether your kids are drawing animals at the kitchen table or sketching palm trees at the beach, they’ll be building memories and skills simultaneously. For days filled with screen-free, mess-free fun that encourages creativity, grab a copy of my How to Draw books.
Save this post for your next road trip or summer planning session—and don’t forget to tag me if you build your own Boredom Buster Basket. I’d love to see what you include!
Hey, y’all! My name is Amy Lemons and I am passionate about providing students with both engaging and effective standards-based Math and ELA lessons.
Sample a day of Rooted in Reading with these lesson plans and activities for Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Grammar!
One Response
Where did you get the container of little animals?