The next time you are faced with a long car ride or wait, these boredom-busting ideas will save the day:

What’s Changed? One player covers his eyes while something is changed either in the room or on another player (a player’s baseball cap could be turned around, the part in his hair could be switched to the other side, etc.)  The player who is “it” must guess what’s different. Mom’s Pocketbook The first player says, “Mom’s pocketbook is so heavy because it holds … an airplane” (or any object that begins with the letter A).  The next person repeats the first player’s word and adds a second object that begins with the letter B.  Continue through the alphabet until no one can remember the whole list – or Mom’s pocketbook breaks! Link Up The first player says a word.  The next player must think of a word that begins with the last letter of the first player’s word, and so on.  For example, if player one says “cat”, player two might say “turtle.”  Words can only be used once.

Clowning Around One player is “it” and tries to make the others laugh.  No touching allowed!  Whoever laughs first loses – and becomes “it”. Balancing Act Challenge your children to balance vertical objects (combs, twigs, spoons, etc.) on their fingertips.  Players compete against themselves to increase their balancing time and, of course, beat yours.

Nonsense Numbers Substitute a silly word for a number, such as “zap” for four.  Players then count off to 100, making the appropriate substitutions (14 becomes “zapteen”, 44 becomes “zapty-zap,” etc.)   In the next round, select an additional number to replace with a silly word.  Continue this way until counting is full of nonsense.

Follow Me The first player performs a simple act, such as snapping his fingers.  The next player repeats that movement and adds his own.  Play continues until no one can remember all the moves in sequence.

If you want to know something about parents, just ask their child. Children are so innocent and honest. They haven’t been taught to hide their feelings; they just tell it as it is. What do you think they would tell us about the way we live our lives today? Here are some thoughts:

• We are too busy.

Rushing from one thing to the next is not ideal for a child. If your child is saying, “I’m bored,” it is probably because they have been programmed to go constantly. Children, as well as adults, need to know how to “be still and know I am God.”

• My ball games and school programs are very important to me.

Parents are not as faithful in attending the regular events their child participates in because of work schedules or other activities. Kids need a “cheering section,” encouragement and support. This is a detail that sometimes goes unnoticed but makes a huge difference.

• I want to be just like my parents.

What kind of example are you? Your children watch everything you do and hear everything you say. Their moral values are formed by the time they are nine years old. Does your home life match the life you display to others in public? Do you say you love God and obey His Word, but never read the Bible, pray or talk about God at home? Remember, your child will one day be teaching your grandchild the same way you taught him or her!

• I wish we could have more fun!

When is the last time you laughed? Life is hard and troubles come, but kids need to know that home is a safe place where laughter is     common. When the home is tense, the child can become stressed and begin all kinds of physical and emotional problems. Tell silly jokes, laugh     at each other, watch funny movies together and just play. God created a wonderful world for us to enjoy and the sound of laughter can make any day better! Above all else, children need to see parents who love God, love each other and love them.

Grace: If you ask your family what they know about this word you may get one of these answers:

• It is what we say before we eat.
• It is the name of that girl in my class. (It is the name of my precious oldest granddaughter – Abby Grace!)
• It is part of that old song my grandmother sings – Amazing Grace.

We think grace is too abstract for children to learn, but grace is the key to understanding Jesus’ loving sacrifice and God’s abundant forgiveness and love. Here is an example to teach your child about God’s grace: Tell kids they have to make a basket from the middle of the basketball court. They can try all day and all night, but they will rarely score. Then along comes the star player. He shoots and scores every time; and he even gives you the points. Then he tells you that you can stop shooting because he will always be there to make the shot for you. Our sins are like our failed attempts at scoring. We will always fall short and never be good enough. But God sent Jesus to die for us once and for all so we can live in God’s amazing love. We don’t ever have to earn our salvation—Jesus will always be there to take up the slack! Amazing Grace!

Jesus Rules!

Children want to live for Jesus each day; sometimes it is hard to remember how to make the right choices when they are “in the moment.” Use this easy object lesson using school items to remind them to be a shining light.

Ruler – Jesus is my ruler. Because we live for Jesus we can make the right decisions, love our enemies, and treat others as Jesus would.

Eraser – Jesus erases my sin. We all make mistakes. Jesus forgives us so we should forgive others.

Pencil – Jesus writes His Word on my heart/Jesus writes the story of my life.

It is important to learn God’s Word so we will know how to live. Jesus has a plan for my life. Tape – Jesus sticks with me all the time. Jesus is my best friend. He will always be with me. Talk about these items with your child and discuss ways they can remember how Jesus rules at school and everywhere!

 Finish Your Fun List     Hang a “Happy School Year!” banner that has a pocket for each of the letters in the word school.     Inside each pocket put a slip of paper with an end-of-summer activity—something you meant to do over the summer break but never got around to. Just before school begins, draw one slip a day and have some fun before it is time to get in the routine of school.  Make homemade ice  cream; visit an old fashioned soda shop, or have a craft day. Finish the summer with fun!

Get Decked Out     Pick out a new outfit to wear on the first day of school. On the first day of school each year, measure your child’s height on one of the doors of your home. Always take your child’s picture, preferably with a poster with their handwritten name and grade. Collect the pictures each year to compare the differences. Celebrate!

The night before school starts, put streamers and a poster on your child’s bedroom door. Make a special breakfast and a send a treat bag for the teachers.

School Supplies  Give new rulers to your kids and write “The Golden Rule” in a sharpie marker to help them remember how to treat others.

New Friends  Encourage new friendships and have a get-to-know-you sleepover soon after school starts.

Back to school can be a fun time of learning and new friendships.