View Full Version : I need good (very) cheap ideas.
CoruptedAngel
May 9, 2012, 02:14 AM
I'm having my youngest son down for the summer. He is 11 years old. And I am looking for very cheap things for him to do. You know projects etc. Making ecojars... experimental things. Anyone know of anything at all.
Thank you very much :)
joypulv
May 9, 2012, 02:39 AM
I would think that he might need someone his own age around as much as projects to do (that of course too!) so I would start asking around to see who has 11 year old kids. Someone might even be willing to lend you a bike, or check with Goodwill and Habitat. By 11 many boys are in that 'oh mom' stage of wanting to be with other kids. Also, ask him what he likes before he gets there! And be prepared: he might want to hog your computer, LOL. So have a plan in place for rules.
I'm 65 and most of us post WW2 kids had nothing much planned for us to do or to play with so we invented our fun. Everything from forts to treasure hunts to going to the library. A lot of it is just imagination, even at 11. And with other kids around, it's free.
CoruptedAngel
May 9, 2012, 04:09 PM
Well yea he would have friends of course... but I was looking for something me and him could do.. just ideas... not a huge deal was just hoping someone could give me something me and him hasn't done already
LadySam
May 9, 2012, 04:47 PM
I've been trying too think of the inexpensive things I did with mine when they were young.
Most boys like to fish and if you already have rods it's fairly cheap, even the little Mickey Mouse rods I think are only about $10 if you had to buy one.
But then there is the whole baiting the hook, kind of yucky, but boys are generally into yucky.
On a low key day you could go try a picnic, I always let mine help to fix the food and pack the basket. He may think he is a little old for that, but it's an idea for quality time together.
A local park that has ducks or geese to feed, total cost=a loaf of bread and the gas to get there.
My son at that age liked model planes, the glue can be a little messy, but it's something that you could work on together.
I don't know what your son is into, but mine really enjoyed planting things and watching them grow, especially things he could eat, peppers, squash, onions.
Really all depends on what he is into. I always preferred to get mine outdoors (if you can't tell) I found that if they stayed in too much, they became obsessed with, TV and games.
Chardel
May 9, 2012, 05:43 PM
11 year old boys are sssoooooo easy to entertain! If he is the bookish sort, go to the library and find books on bugs, reptiles, fish, birds, etc... then take that and go for a walk... you don't even have to go to a green space to find bugs and birds. There are books about cottage and outdoor activities that use recycled goods to make things... At night go to a place where there is little light pollution and watch the stars see if you can see any satilites moving across the sky... fishing is huge with boys that age. If you don't have poles or money for poles then you can pretend you are Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn and make your own out of what is at hand, Make a few phone calls and see if you can get guided tours through factories in your area. Use your internet and find games like disc golf, ladder ball, bocce ball, find the rules, then modify them to fit the equipment you have on hand, e.g. balls, bottles, paper plates, etc, Ever try to throw a paper plate like a frisbee? not as easy as it sounds...
Pretty much anything you do with your guy will be OK, as long as you don't try to hard, talk lots and really listen to what he has to say.
JudyKayTee
May 10, 2012, 09:53 AM
It depends on his interests. I'm guessing his interest is spending time with you, not necessarily what you'll be doing with that time.
I realize you work at flea markets and are opening a store - can he "work" with you?
CoruptedAngel
May 13, 2012, 03:10 AM
I know plenty ways of entertaining him. I have 3 kids. I was simply looking for scientific projects etc for him to do and with him. Not the basics etc. That's simple know how after raising 3 kids :)
LadySam
May 13, 2012, 04:57 AM
Ooooh! In that case try this site, lots of simple experiments.
Fun Science Experiments for Kids - Cool Projects & Easy Ideas for Children (http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html)