A bored jar for teenagers.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family

Over the years, we’ve had various different bored jars that have kept the kids occupied during the long Summer Holidays but this year, I’m very aware that, at 13 and 15, the kids are too old for the bored jars we’ve made and used so much in the past. That’s why I thought I’d do an updated version with a bored jar for teenagers!

I absolutely HATE the words “I’m bored’ and ever since the kids were old enough to say them, I’ve tried to be prepared with ways to keep them occupied. My favourite things to do this have without question been our bored jars and we’ve had a few over the years which have been filled with activity ideas for whatever age the kids were at.

Our first bored jar was filled with brightly coloured lolly sticks and I wrote various different activities on each one (not all were fun though 🙂

Our next version was a bored jar fit for a tween which took into account that they had a little more freedom to go places and make things without full supervision.

And during the fidget spinner craze last year we even had a fidget spinner version too!

I know they think they’re probably a bit too old for a bored jar now so I wasn’t going to bother with one for this Summer but then someone left a comment on one of my other bored jar posts and suggested that I make a bored jar for teenagers which I thought was an inspired idea!

I bought a cheap pack of lolly sticks from Amazon (I think they were about £1.19 with free delivery) and wrote a different activity on each of them. My activities are tailored to the things I know my children enjoy but you can easily tailor yours to your children.

Here’s 60 ideas to get you started on your bored jar for teenagers:

Make something you find on Pinterest.
Go swimming.
Take the dog for a walk.
Go for a picnic.
Make tea for the family – homemade pizza for example.
Go to the park.
Facetime a friend you haven’t seen in a while.
Go for a run.
Message all your friends and go somewhere.
Make sand castles on the beach.
Go geocaching.
Watch YouTube.
Rearrange your bedroom.
Sort some things out for the charity shop to declutter your room.
Write a poem.
Make friendship bracelets.
Make a YouTube video of your own.
Make Slime or gloop.
Have a water balloon fight.
Have a sleepover.
Sleep in a tent in the garden.
Go on a photo walk.
Give yourself a fun makeover.
Sort your wardrobe out and make some new outfits from what you have.
Customise a piece of clothing.
Offer to babysit.
Bath the dog.
Learn to hula-hoop.
Play Swingball.
Go to the gym.
Watch an old film on TV.
Sort some things out to sell at a car boot sale.
Do some homework.
Tidy your room.
Go fruit picking.
Go to the pictures.
Paint a picture or do some sketching.
Do some gardening.
Make a fairy garden.
Make ice lollies.
Make cupcakes.
Make lemonade.
Go bowling.
Start your own blog.
Start your own YouTube channel.
Read a book.
Make our own savings jar.
Start your own bullet journal.
Plan your dream holiday.
Find some presents to make on Pinterest for gifts for people.
Think of some acts of kindness – and do them!
Go through the cupboards and find some things to donate to the food bank.
Have a board game marathon.
Go on a photo walk.
Go for a bike ride.
Ask your parents if you can help them with anything.
Go for a photo walk.
Write a book.
Make Ice cream floats.
Wash the car.

I’m hopeful that my two will make full use of this. 😉

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