Where To Take Your Kids When They Say "Mom I'm Bored!"

"Mom, I'm bored!"

How many times have you heard your ten year old exclaim this on a Saturday afternoon, only to follow you around while you tried to do laundry or iron or cook dinner? Children may expect you to be their entertainment committee, but there are things you can do to keep them entertained for hours without eating up your entire Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the process.

The roller rink is a perfect place to take your kids on a Saturday. Almost every town has a local rink, and it is good for many ages. For about $10.00 a child, skate rental money if they don't own their own, and perhaps some extra money for snacks or lunch, you can usually bet on a good three or four hours of entertainment. Many of the skating rinks have video games and a café as well, so if your child is done with skating he or she can still be entertained. If your child is young, a chaperone will obviously be needed, and perhaps you and a neighbor can take turns and alternate weekends. If he or she is of the age where "dropping off" is appropriate, there is usually an open skate complete with the music of the moment that your kids will surely enjoy. Of course, he or she is getting exercise along with having fun so you can rest easy that this is a positive activity all around.

Another good place, depending on the season and your locale, is your local commercial dairy farm. True, it is a bit different, but it can be packed full of things to do for children of all ages. For the little ones, a simple tour of the farm can be full of wonder and amazement. Usually all you need to do is ask and those in charge will be more than happy to show your little one around. He or she can see the cows up close and even pet them in their stalls. They may get a tour of the production facility if they are a bit older and it can hold their interest, which can take a good amount of time. Often there will be other animals on the farm, and both younger and older kids will enjoy visiting with the barnyard animals. If your child's boredom occurs during the warm spring or summer months, it may be strawberry season and you may be lucky enough to have a farm that honors the age-old tradition of strawberry picking! If it's October and pumpkin season, perhaps you will be able to find your next perfect jack-o-lantern with your kids or even take a haunted hayride if it's close enough to Halloween. A hayride might just be possible no matter the season, so it can't hurt to ask! Of course, before you leave the farm don't forget to get a taste of their sure-to-be-homemade ice cream. The tour guide will probably give a cone to your little ones for free. Again, this Saturday or Sunday treat will be an educational source of entertainment for your children and cost you almost nothing.

Almost every parent falls back on the movies or the mall, if their child is old enough, but what about getting them outside for some fresh air instead? Surely you can open your back door and let the kids play in the yard any day of the week, but if you physically take them to a playground it will be something different. Bring the dog, if you have one, and get the most ‘bang for your buck' - your dog will be worn out by the end of your visit, and the kids can help with the wearing-out process! Both your children and your pet will have the benefit of a new play yard, and there will likely be other children to join in the fun, or even other dogs. There is bound to be a swing set, sliding board and jungle gym. Even if you own these and have them in your own backyard, they will likely be different than your own and hence more entertaining for your youngsters. Bring a ball or your dog's favorite toy to play fetch, bring some snacks for the kids, and get out there and play with them yourself! If you are fortunate to share the park with a pond or lake, you may need to bring some bread and you can feed the ducks there as well. Just getting outdoors to the park really can be a good hour's worth of fun at the least.

Any of the above recommendations will force your child to stop the "I'm bored!" exclamation. By the time you get home from any one of the three, your little boy or girl will most likely be ready for a nap and you may too - so look forward to your relaxation.

Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about childcare and parenting topics, similar to what consumers read in Women's Day