The "What Can I Do?" Jar

Jena Muhr shares a simple strategy to help kids (and parents) enjoy unstructured summer fun. Download and print this list of great ideas!

I’m not sure about you but as I sit down to write this my kids have been on summer break for just two weeks. And I am tired already. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my kids and definitely enjoy the lighter summer load and more down time. Something that is much needed after a busy school year full of school and church events, sports and hurried mornings. Mama has definitely been ready for a break.   

Before the school year ended I made plans for summer “Mommy School,” made travel plans and tried to schedule appropriately timed play dates but with less structure also comes more screen time and so many more questions of “What can I doooooo???” (because it is always said with a whine). This year it is coming most frequently from my soon-to-be 6-year-old in full force. And oh my goodness, these endless questions have me nearly batty already.  

My 6-year-old is my number 2, and I remember these days with my oldest daughter. She drove me to distraction for weeks before I finally had an idea that helped her and me retain our sanity. Enter the “what can I do?” jar.  

The "What Can I Do?" Jar

In this spare jar I had in the cupboard I put slips of paper folded inside, each with a different, totally doable activity or task for her. The rules are that she gets to choose one and has to do what it says on it. If it is something that cannot be done at the moment (if the paper indicates a water balloon fight but it's only 7:15 AM) we can do it later and she can pick another paper. And then she has to do the task before she can get another paper.  

For her first round, the paper said 10 minutes of reading. I have been struggling so hard to get her to read each day, and because the paper said so she skipped off to pick out books to read — taking her brother with her. I couldn’t believe it. Results may vary, but I am definitely impressed.  

Here are a few ideas from those I put in my jar. I tried to have a mix of things that are fun, small jobs to do around the house, and Mommy School activities. These are all things that are easy for me to make happen in a moment's notice. I hope this little idea helps alleviate some of the frustration with the 87,452 times you’re asked what to do this summer.  

"What Can I Do?" Jar Ideas: 

• Help clean the car 
• Mommy reads you a book  
• Make your bed 
• Do the dishes 
• Play with the dog 
• Take a nap  
• Listen to a saint podcast 
• 10 minutes of reading 
• Help vacuum the car 
• Vacuum the family room 
• Facetime a family member 
• Water flowers outside 
• Make cookies with Mommy 
• Help Mommy make a salad 
• Let’s go for a walk 
• Go to the park 
• Water balloons 
• Dance party 
• Play baseball 
• 20 minutes iPad time 
• Tidy room 
• Play with Legos 
• Craft of Mama’s choosing  
• Send a card to someone 
• Give dog a bath 
• 5 math problems 
• Tell Mama a story with your figurines 

Summer is fun, but making the plan is often the hardest part of the day. Hopefully this can help both our summers be a little more peaceful, planned and, with any luck, the house can be tidied a bit too. 

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Copyright 2024 Jena Muhr
Images: Canva