“Mom, I’m bored!” “Mom, the Wi-Fi isn’t working!!” (This legit just happened to us the other day, modem and router died at the same time and it was practically the end of the world as we knew it, lol!) “Mom is it cool if we surf down the stair on sleeping bags?” For those moments during Summer Break when you need to bust their boredom, when the Wi-Fi goes out, or when their imaginations highjack all common sense, busy bags to the rescue! So, what exactly are Busy Bags?
Busy Bags are bags filled with age-appropriate activities, arts, crafts, games, etc. to occupy your kiddos. If the thought of having to research various activities and purchase all those supplies to place in your kiddo’s busy bag sounds overwhelming and totally something you don’t want to be doing I am right there with ya!! This is why I invited other mommas to participate in a Summer Busy Bag Swap, after all, many hands make for light work! A couple years ago was our first Busy Bag Swap and it turned out so successful that we did it again and again…and with so many families opting to Staycation for Summer Break this year I’m looking to do this again! Who’s interested?
How it Works:
1-Invite Families to Participate
Invite 5-10 families with children around the same age as your kiddos-if you have school-aged children invite other families that have kiddos all school-aged (5 & up), if you have toddlers and preschoolers invite other families with toddlers and preschoolers, etc. Also, instead of putting together a busy bag for each child, we put together a busy bag for each family. This way everything is equal and fair because let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be cool to have a family with one child be expected to buy bags for each child in a family with four children. Once you have a confirmation from the families put together a Facebook group message or Facebook event where everyone can communicate easily.
2- Decide on a Budget & Activity to Swap
First, indicate what the budget is for each activity. This will ensure that any awkward moment like one family bringing 10 $30 board games to swap while another brings 10 $1 coloring books doesn’t occur. For our swap, we keep the budget at $1-$5 per activity. Once you have established the budget request everyone share what activity they plan on contributing to the swap in order to ensure that there aren’t duplicate activities. Need some ideas? 
- Playdough
- Water balloons
- Magnets
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Marshmallow & Toothpick construction
- Paints
- Highlights Magazine
- Make your own Silly Putty
- Make a Tornado in a Soda Bottle
- Paper Airplanes
- Moon Sand
- Legos
- Coloring books
- Crossword Puzzles
- Mad-libs
- Dominos
- Uno
- Finger Paints
- Scavenger Hunts
- Stamps
- Origami
Remember your activity need only be as complicated or time-consuming to collate as you wish. There is no shame in grabbing a kit already assembled at 5 Below, like we did last year and again this year….meanwhile the other mommas really brought it with Salt Painting, Scavenger Hunts, etc.
3-Pick a Date, Time, & Location for the Swap
Because this is supposed to be an activity that helps moms it is recommended that you meet at a park. This way no mom feels obligated to clean her house, kennel a rambunctious puppy, or give the illusion of a tidy playroom. 
Added bonus, kiddos can go run and play on the playground while moms assemble bags. Chances are everyone will not be available on the same day and time that is okay! Just have that mom drop off her activities and bag with another mom and she can pick it up at a later date.
Bonus-
If the first swap runs smoothly organize a second and third, this way you have enough activities to keep your crew busy all summer long! Want to add to the fun? Make each swap a theme! Arts & Science, Math, Camping, History, etc. the possibilities are endless! Have fun with it!!
Happy Swapping!!
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 