6 Little Activities While You Wait With The Kids | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

6 Little Activities While You Wait With The Kids

Fill in those "in-between" moments and never hear the word "bored" again!

373
6 Little Activities While You Wait With The Kids
Dreamstime

After being a camp counselor for three years and the sister of an elementary school teacher, you learn a couple of tricks to keep kids entertained. I was always thinking of ways to keep my campers occupied, especially during the "in-between" moments. For example, there's always that kid who, while you're waiting 10 minutes for the next electives to start, yells, "I'm BORED."

Want that to stop? Here are some ways to keep your group occupied.

1. The Human Knot!

This is probably my favorite pastime. You get a group of kids, typically five or more, and make a circle. Everyone puts their right hand in and holds onto another hand that is not next to them. Next, everyone puts in their left hand and grabs someone else's hand.

Now, untangle the knot. This is a great team building skill and can take anywhere from five minutes to as long as 20 minutes (that was only one time, though, and it was with 15 kids). If you have a big group, I recommend making two smaller knots and racing to see who can finish first. This really gets them motivated to work together.

2. Lanyard!

Others may call this "gimp", and this craft can be taken anywhere. Even as a camp counselor, I always do new lanyard ties!

Anyone of any skill level can do it; it just takes a little bit of patience and a lot of string. You can look up different stitches, or better yet, have your campers teach you.

3. Hand Games!

You know those hand games you played on the playground when you were little, like "Down by the Bank" and "Shame, Shame, Shame"? It's time to bring them back!

Go ahead and teach it to your kids, and watch them share it with their friends. They'll keep themselves entertained! Find hand games to teach your kids here.

4. Trivia!

You can pick up a stack of cards with trivia facts just about anywhere. If you have a few minutes, pull them out and see how much your kids know. If you wanted to, you can even make a competition out of it.

You can also make your own based on where you are! Ask them trivia questions about the school or camp you're at or their favorite teachers or counselors.

5. Have A "Question Of The Day"!

Go ahead and ask a kid one of those "deeper" questions. You have a minute to get to know them. Have a different question ready for every day.

How many siblings do they have? Why do they wear purple every day? What's their favorite elective? This simple thing can make a kid's day. It shows them that you really do care about them.

6. Sing A "Repeat-After-Me" Song!

This will help your kids get energized and thinking. Once they get the hang of the song, too, they can lead it themselves! Find some "repeat-after-me" songs here.

Don't hear "I'm bored" again! Now, go fill those in-between moments!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1103
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2603
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2741
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments