Boredom Busting Tips for Kids

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Sep 13, 2012) - (Family Features) As a mother of four, there's never a dull moment for celebrity mom Tori Spelling. But even as a mom on the go, Spelling still hears those dreaded words -- "Mom! I'm bored!" -- from her kids. So, to beat the boredom blues, she has developed a few tips and activities to keep kids entertained all year long:

Monogram Art
Kids love things that are personalized, so why not make a crafty monogram? Help your children trace their first initial in block letters on a piece of poster board. Then, use glue to fill in the letter with colorful buttons, crayons or even shells.

Create a Time Capsule
Preserve some of your favorite family memories with a time capsule. Start with a sealable plastic box and have each child contribute a few items with a note about why those items are special to them. Don't forget to include several family photos. Bury the capsule in the backyard (or a far corner of the basement) and set a date to "uncover" the capsule.

Painted Glass Jar/ Pencil Holder
Clean and dry an old glass jar. Add white glue to acrylic or liquid tempera paints so the color sticks to the glass. Help kids paint a design on the jar using brushes or cotton swabs. To erase a mistake, just use a paper towel to wipe off the paint before it hardens. After the paint dries, seal the masterpiece with a coat of clear glaze.

Cardboard Cuckoo Clock
Encourage kids to draw a house on a piece of paper and color it in with markers. Next, glue the paper house on a piece of cardboard and cut it to fit the shape. Using a clock kit (available at many local craft stores), cut a hole in the middle of the house and fit the clock-face according to its instructions. Before you know it, you'll have a working clock that kids created.

Recycled Sprinkler
Start with an empty, clean 2-liter soda bottle and use scissors (or a drill if you have one) to poke small holes in the bottoms and sides of the bottle. Next, connect a hose to the bottle using duct tape or pick up a converter at your local hardware store. Turn on the hose and have fun in the yard.

Scenic Snow Globes
Start with a small, empty jar; such as a clean baby food jar. Remove the lid and glue a small figurine to the underside of lid and allow to dry. Fill the jar with water and add some glitter and a little glycerin. Add a drop of food coloring to the water for a more unique globe. Encourage kids to think of fun themes, like under the sea. Screw on the jar lid tightly and turn over the jar to complete the snow globe.

When crafting with children, take care to supervise them with sharp objects, and use non-toxic ingredients.

Never Be Bored Again
The Lunchables team wants to make sure all kids can amp up the fun and bust boredom. Now through February 2013, kids can enter the "Never Be Bored Again" Instant Win Game at www.Lunchables.com/fun for a chance to win one of over one million boredom-busting prizes. No purchase is necessary to play the Lunchables Never Be Bored Again Instant Win Game. Open to residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., 6 - 13 years as of 7/9/12. To enter online and see Official Rules, visit www.Lunchables.com/fun. Ends: 2/27/13. Void where prohibited.

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