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    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
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    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
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    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
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      • family fun
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fun at-home activities for bored tweens and teens

home / family life / family fun / fun at-home activities for bored tweens and teens
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Who isn’t looking for fun, at-home activities for their kids?

And who doesn’t want cool things to do for their bored tweens and teens?

Aren’t we all sick and tired of watching our kids play XBox, Playstation, or PC?

Am I the only one feeling defeated when I see our teenagers are raking in 4, 6, 10 hours a day on their devices?

Please tell me I’m not the only parent carrying loads of guilt when I extend Screen Time Limits one. more. time?!

Friend, it’s hard to be a parent right now. Heck, it’s hard to be a human right now.

So after much thought and deliberation, after many falls and many wrong turns, I decided to do something about this bored-tween, bored-teen, electronic-addicted world we live in. I decided to create an activity pack that kids would want to do.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Fun At-Home Activities for Bored Tweens and Teens (Really ANY Kid!)

Were you around when I ran the Smart Summer Challenge? I did it with my kids for years and years and years.

And I think I hosted the challenge here on teachmama.com for close to 8 or 9 years. YEARS.

The Smart Summer Challenge Years

My focus with the Smart Summer Challenge was always the same: to make learning a natural part of my kidsโ€™ every dayโ€“something that the kids actually want to do.

I never created full-day summertime mom-camps. I know there are plenty of places you can get that kind of thing, and I know some really great people who do that. Honestly, I love my kids and love the summer, but I didn’t want to spend all day engrossed in activities with my kids.

18 summers count teachmama.com

The Smart Summer Challenge was simple. It was all about giving kids something fun and exciting to do each day. On their own time.

That’s it. So I had a job to do: put out something cool for my kids to do.

And they had a job: find time throughout the day to work on the activity.

And the s.m.a.r.t. boost was born

I wanted to create something that kids could do any time of the year that they wanted–not just in the summer.

And I wanted something that would ‘boost’ their brains in fun and clever ways. I wanted something that kids would be excited to do and would choose to do–instead of reaching for their electronics.

So? The s.m.a.r.t. boost packs were born!

How does the s.m.a.r.t. boost work? Simple.

Each boost pack challenges YOU (the adult in charge!) to provide your kids with engaging, exciting opportunities for stem, movement, arts, reading, and thinkingโ€”that they complete on their own time.

All the activities are in the s.m.a.r.t. boost packs. I gathered everything.

All you have to do is set them out each day!

Any time throughout the day when your kids feel compelled, they complete the activity.

Everyoneโ€™s different. Some of us are more motivated in the morning. Some of us are highest energy in the afternoon or evening. Kids will explore the activity when they are able. Make sure they show you, or the adult in charge, their creations! 

Tell me more about the s.m.a.r.t. boost packs

This is the s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 1 & Varsity 2 versions.

The s.m.a.r.t. boost is just that–a ‘boost’ for your kids’ brains.

The idea is that the boost is something that families can put out on a table or counter every single day (or any time they need it!) for their kids, and whenever the child is moved to jump in, he does.

The s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 1 and s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 2 are each:

  • a set of specially curated and specifically designed activities;
  • absolutely perfect for long summer days, weekends, mornings, afternoons, or evenings–any time of the year!
  • geared toward kids ages 8-14+ yrs old;
  • an opportunity for kids to work at their own pace, on their own time;
  • a great reason to collaborate as a family, learning something new or creating a project together;
  • focused on ‘boosting’ kids in s.m.a.r.t. areas: stem, movement, art, reading, & thinking;
  • 10 ‘packs’ of activities, each containing a main info sheet, multiple resources, videos, & more;
  • available digitally AND pdf hardcopy: it’s on Google Slides, so you can set it up on your student’s tablet or iPad AND hardcopy–it can be printed out and be completely tech-free;
  • packed with activities that are: varied, unique, new, old, refreshed, familiar, unfamiliar, simple, involved, challenging, and easy-breezy;
  • available all year long;
  • kid-tested and teacher-approved!

The s.m.a.r.t. boost is NOT:

  • a summer ‘camp’;
  • an online babysitter;
  • a replacement for online school;
  • a random assortment of crafts, worksheets, or youtube videos;
  • a spammy, ad-filled, thrown-together mix of junk from the internet;
  • a waste of your time or money!

What’s the cost? (click images below to head to shop)

  • s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 1 = $14.49
  • s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 2 = $14.49
  • s.m.a.r.t. boost BUNDLE = $24.49

Here’s a look at s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 1

BUY s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 1 NOW!

Here’s a look at s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 2

BUY s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity 2 NOW!

Here’s a link to grab both boost packs!

BUY s.m.a.r.t. boost Varsity BUNDLE NOW!

Not convinced?

Try the s.m.a.r.t. boost for FREE and see how you like it!

The s.m.a.r.t. boost FREE is EVERYTHING that the full version is, but:

  • 5 vs 10 activities;
  • only about half of the printables vs 24+ in other versions;
  • a little taste of the awesome vs the full-fledged awesome!

Give it a try–click the link above!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
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Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
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(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

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How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
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Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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