We have an “I’m bored” jar with my kids, and honestly, it works way better than I expected.

The rule is simple: if you come to me complaining that you’re bored, I hand you the jar. Inside are popsicle sticks with activities written on them. Some are fun (“build a blanket fort,” “draw a comic,” “dance party”), some are independent projects, some are things we can do together, and some are chores.

You have to pick a stick and do the activity before coming back to complain again.If you come before you are done... I dig out a chore one and you get that one.

Turns out my kids are deeply motivated to suddenly become creative and self-sufficient once there’s a chance they might pull “sort the sock basket” or “wipe down the baseboards.”

The funniest part is that it actually helps them learn how to entertain themselves. The second they hear “go pick a stick,” they magically remember ten things they want to do instead.

Highly recommend for anyone stuck in the endless summer loop of “Mommmmm, I’m boooored.”

For many of us, this season is the worst. It's nice enough that your children want to be outside.. but cold or rainy enough that maybe they shouldn't be.

They have been cooped up all winter, and that lack of vitamin D and fresh air is starting to get to you all.

Here is my tried and true idea for how to get those wiggles out.

Build an obstacle course

Use masking tape, chairs, hoola hoops, pots and pans, anything really. Masking tape can make balancing lines, chairs can be obstacles to go over or around, hoopa hoops can be used to signal where you need to do jumping jacks or spins, pots and pans can be places that you need to bounce a ball into, or maybe a place they need to make a song. Be as creative as possible, and when in doubt, ask the kids, they'll think it's great.

Spread them across an area, and don't be afraid to spread across your entire house. When it comes to the kids doing the activity, cheer, heckle, and be hilarious. Put on your best broadcaster voice and get way too into it. Let them know it's ok to be silly and let those wiggles truly go.

Let them know... if they try really hard at it... you will make it worth their while. They have exhausted their store of energy and ability to entertain themselves. Now's the time for you to prove that you can rouse it. I know you're exhausted too. But just think. They'll sleep so well tonight.

Good luck, parents. You can make it through this!

Have you guys seen the trend going around on social media right now with the "Tower Of" game? This game is incredibly adaptable for kids.

The idea is you think a particular category, and the other person has to guess it by asking "Can I have?". If the thing fits in that category, they can have it. If it doesn't, you say no.

For example: My category "Mammals". I can have a beaver, I can't have a lizard.

The examples are endless and it's such a fun way to get kids thinking and playing together.

What resources are you wishing you had as a parent that we, as the Keeping Kids Busy subreddit, could help compile for you?

I'm looking for board games that you can play with a crowd of kids. I have a group of kids ages 4-13 who love to play together, but often we are scrambling trying to find games that everyone has fun with. What are your favourite games for a crowd of varying ages?