7 Ways to Bust Boredom And Keep Your Kid Busy This Summer

NEW YORK, NY - Bid boredom farewell this summer with these 7 fun-filled activities. Whether your child is an athlete, an artist, an avid reader or an animal lover, NYC is brimming with family-friendly ways to stay busy and spend time together.

Create memories with your kids this summer! Make a note of these different NYC activities and keep boredom at bay.

1. Kids Crafternoon! Spend a summer afternoon creating a unique take-home craft, courtesy of the New York Public Library. Splatter paints on a canvas, sketch out a masterpiece or play games with friends. Kids Crafternoon is designed for kids ages 5 - 12, and all skill levels are welcome.

Where: New York Public Library - Inwood Branch (4790 Broadway)

When: Wednesday afternoons, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

2. Get swept away at Story Time.Take a family trip to your local Barnes & Noble for a morning of interactive storytelling. Story Time takes place in the colorful and vibrant Children’s Department and is led by a trained Barnes & Noble staff storyteller. Kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in group artistic activities that accompany the story — singing, dancing and craft projects help to bring the story to life every Wednesday morning. Find a store and a story time near you. Don’t forget to pick up the books from your summer reading list while you’re there!

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

3. DIY Summer Craft: Popsicle Ice Chalk. Break your child out of a summer rut without breaking the bank — or even leaving the house. Check out this easy recipe for Popsicle chalk:

Step 1: Grab a medium sized mixing bowl and combine 1 part water with 1 part Cornstarch. Stir until smooth.

Step 2: Slowly pour the mixture into popsicle molds one at a time. Disperse evenly and lightly tap the bottom of the molds on a hard surface 3-4 times.

Step 3: Add several drops of food coloring to each popsicle mold. For variety, try mixing different colors in a single pop for a vibrant ice chalk surprise.

Step 4: Place the Popsicle molds in the freezer overnight.

Step 5: Chalk it up! Remove your popsicle ice chalk from the molds then head outside and start drawing!

4. Youth Open Basketball. Make your way over to the Chelsea Rec Center this summer for an afternoon of hoops. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, young athletes are given full access to the center’s regulation size court, for free. Shoot around, play HORSE or get a pickup game going with friends. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Where: Chelsea Recreation Center (430 West 25th Street)

When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

5. Shop a book fair and support local nonprofits. Whether you’re picking up your child’s summer reading books or snagging the latest bestseller for the beach, shop a Barnes & Noble Book Fair and a portion of your business will go towards supporting students in grades K-12 in your district. Find a Book Fair near you to contribute to local fundraising efforts for nonprofits and schools in your area.

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

6. Imagination Playground. Schedule a summer play date at one of New York’s new innovative outdoor kid’s spaces. Imagination Playground is designed to stimulate intellectual growth through unstructured “free play.” Trained staff members provide the youngsters with scenarios, and children are encouraged to use different everyday materials (milk crates, for example) to create solutions through a collaborative, problem-solving process.

Where: Imagination Playground (Find a location in your neighborhood)

When: July 4 - Labor Day, hours vary

7) Bronx Zoo Quests. Take your family trip to the Bronx Zoo to the next level with an interactive animal quest. See if you’ve got what it takes to be a Zookeeper by signing up for Activity Trail. Participants complete everyday animal upkeep tasks alongside Bronx Zoo Staff. Budding zoologists can also take part in Adventure Club to learn how scientists study animal behavior in the wild.

Where: Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Boulevard)

When: July 4 - September 5, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Image via Unsplash; Photo by Ben White