This was the scene in our driveway last night: kids, chalk, a hose, and a bottle of dish detergent. It wasn't planned. It wasn't an activity I had read about. It wasn't one they had seen on-line and wanted to try. It was good old messy, concocting, creating fun. The kind of thing that is often sparked by boredom and ends up evolving into something pretty cool. It started with a hose fight and turned into a colorful scene on our driveway which is still there today (it turns out chalk mixed with water and dab of liquid soap turns into paint). There wasn't any bickering or teasing. And I didn't do a darn thing except sit back in the lawn chair and read my book. Like the garden, I had big plans for our summer. I envisioned daily art and science projects and perhaps even an art group for older kids in the neighborhood. But none of that really happened. In fact, we haven't done any "projects" all summer. And I actually think that's been a good thing. There is a lot to be said for boredom induced creativity and taking a break from structure. We only have about a week and half until school starts and I can honestly say that I am sad to see summer coming to an end.
I'm sad too - I love everything that comes with summer! I like the title of this post, and I'm totally with you on the concept of self-induced creativity.
how lovely to see children can still enjoy simple pleasures.
Completely agree, boredom is an incredible fuel for imagination, though sometimes tricky to find that balance between bored and imaginative and bored and turning feral lol lucky yours didnt go the latter :)
Ahhh...the simple pleasures. Love it!
i was sad to see summer come to an end too. I truly enjoyed it this year.
Jan
No activities? No trips to say, England?? :)
I had project ideas and trip ideas and all sorts of ideas, but somehow my business ideas made it so my kids had a lot of that boredom induced creativity. It's nice to find a school set up with stuffed animals for students when I come downstairs sometimes, instead of video games.
So so so true! And kudos to you, I think many parents are terrified of their kids getting bored. Or they plug them in when they do. I say learning to keep yourself entertained is a lost art.
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