The Cure From The Dreaded “I’m BORED!!” Thank You Target!
Sometimes doesn’t it feel like summer vacation won’t ever END!??!!? Like when will the kids finally go back to SCHOOL!!?!?! Now, that really is a double-edged sword right there. I remember when my baby Zachary graduated from school and moved into his first apartment. That empty nest hit me HARD. I walked into Target intent on doing my shopping when I saw the Back To School sale had started. OHMYYYYYYYYGOSH!!! I totally broke down. We are talking THE UGLY CRY!! I was a solid mess. IN. THE. MIDDLE. OF. WALMART. Let’s just say more than a few heads turned that day. I rushed out of the store, sat in my car, and sobbed. So…. do enjoy them while they are little. ALSO, take that first day of school and do something for YOU!!! Enjoy that peace and quiet. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Okay, so this post went on a weird turn there. What I really wanted to write about was some fun ideas to keep the kids happy during these last few days of summer vacation. Let’s head back to Target shall we?!? (BTW, I can shop even during the Back To School sales. It only took me 24 years. ACKKKK!!! The baby has been out of school for 24 YEARS!??!)
Target has some great toys, games and LEARNING toys!! I even hesitate to say this one is a toy. It’s a LEARNING activity from Smithsonian.
I am giddy over this one. This is the Smithsonian Mars Dig. A STEM activity. (Science Technology Engineering and Math) I always look for at least one STEM activity or project when I send Alice gifts for holidays.
Smithsonian Mars Dig is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Check this out. You can dig and collect the same type of rock found on Mars. Alice is an avid collector of rocks (she’s obsessed!) so it’s a PERFECT activity!! You get to assemble a scale model of the Perseverance Rover. You will learn about Marian Geology and Space Exploration. Also included in the box is a 23″ by 17″ color poster. Seriously, for the space lover HOW PERFECT is this?!!?
The backside of the poster has all the instructions you need to assemble you miniature Perseverance Rover.
Also on the back of your poster are instructions to help you dig up your Mars Rocks. Since the rocks are in a sand block trust me… COVER your work area or have the vacuum handy. I was really pleased to find that Smithsonian includes a pair of safety goggles with our Mars Dig. Also included in the kit is a mallet and a wooden dowel.
Another great feature if the SOLID sand block that the rocks are encased in. You have to really wack that mallet. (Can you say RELEASE some tension?!) It’s also a project that takes some TIME!! You will be hammering for quite some time to get to your Mars Rocks.
We are having a great time digging for our Mars Rocks. When the Mars Rocks are all dug out, you can learn all about Mars from the poster. There is also a link for NASA to learn even MORE!!
This project would work in a classroom as well. So much to learn!
$12.99 at Target. Also a TON more Smithsonian kits are available! Alice and I have decided we want to try the Magic Rocks next. I’d love to know which kit you and your bored crew would love to try.
While you’re at Target be sure to grab a couple of Wubble Groovy Glow BUBBLE BALLS!! These things are SO FUN!! Roll them on the floor and they go WUBBLING every which way. Toss ’em. really ya just don’t know where these things are going to go. The tiny is so squishy! The Wubble isn’t as bright as the picture shows HOWEVER, the color was NOT the most important thing to Alice. She wanted glow in the dark for night tag. The Wubble did not disappoint. The Tiny Groovy Glow Wubble is $6.99 at Target. Bear the fur baby was NOT a fan. I rolled the Tiny Wubble Ball towards our 150 pound big-ole-baby she yipped and went to move away from the ball and of course the way she went is the way the Wubble went. MAN why wasn’t someone filming that!? (BTW, if I disappear it’s cause Bear smothered me in my sleep for that one!)
The Tiny Groovy Glow Wubble and the Groovy Glow Wubble Ball each come with a nozzle that makes them a breeze to inflate. You do need something to help you get the nozzle into the Wubble it does not come with the suggested petroleum jelly but other things work fine, grapeseed oil, olive oil etc.
The Tiny Groovy Glow Wubble will expand to 12 inches.
Using your Wubble outside. Watch for sticks or other sharp objects it can pop. Also don’t leave them outside they will deflate in the heat.
The larger Wubble Ball does include a patch kit. The Tiny does NOT.
The larger Groovy Glow Wubble Ball DOES arrive with petroleum jelly which was a great addition.
The larger Wubble colors are brighter than the Tiny. This makes me think that I may have over inflated the Tiny?
Leave the Wubbles in sunlight or bright light for at least 10 minutes to activate the GLOW!
FUN! If you’ve never played with a Wubble Ball before you are missing out. They are fun. AND ADDED bonus they do NOT hurt when they are thrown at your face. EVEN with glasses on.
The larger Groovy Glow Wubble Ball is $13.99 at Target
Both Wubbles ARE AWESOME Glowing FUN!!
For the record both Wubbles are still fully inflated 3 weeks later!
Last but not least is the All Pro Passer
This does require C batteries.. unfortunately no where on the box does it say that. (Which is my only whine)
This game allows you to send the football flying in the direction you want. THIS is a game that will wear the kids out.
The football is not a standard football its a sturdy foam, but doesn’t hurt if you get hit with it.
I really can’t wait for Thanksgiving Family Football game. I will be the hit of the game!!
Thank you Target for curing our “I’m Bored” summer break.
(ReviewDisclaimer)
![Mentors](https://peanutbutterandwhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/qtq80-vurYZM-75x75.jpeg)
![Let's make a Dead and Breakfast sign](https://peanutbutterandwhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220815_121959-scaled.jpg)
25 Comments
Shannon Victoria Holmes
These are some great toys! Thanks for sharing them with us.
DEBBIE P
Really cool ideas and I still love Magic Rocks!
Tammy O'Hagan
When my daughter, my niece and nephew say that they are bored. My sister and I say in unison that when we were your ages….. “We would come home from school, do our homework and immediately go out side and play with all the kids in the neighborhood. We had a kickball, a skateboard, bike, and tennis racquets. We made due with those things and played all night until our mom screamed out that it was too dark and we had to come in. NO electronics back then. Want us to take them away?” They disappear and we laugh because we sound so old!
Terri Quick
I love Target. Some great stuff
Clem
Nice ideas for kids to combat boredom
Shelly Peterson
STEM toys are great.
Sarah L
I love good STEM ‘toys’. The Mars one looks very fun.
Connie: The Head Peanut
I think STEM toys are the best. Mars is COOL!!
l p
Target has a great array of ‘toys’ which promote learning and fun at the same time. and they’re often more reasonably priced. thanks
Veronica Lee
These are marvelous ideas.
They look like so much fun too.
Kate Sarsfield
Love your Wobbly Boob thingummy!
Connie: The Head Peanut
ROFLMAO OHHHMMMMGGGGG I thought it looked like a boob too!
Michele Soyer
So many great creative projects to do..
gloria patterson
all ready posted on this on August 22
Over the years I have heard so many school stories and tears 🙂 🙂
Connie: The Head Peanut
Thank you Gloria
Tamra Phelps
Oh, I get it. But I would have been LMAO at you as you wept in Target, lol.
Connie: The Head Peanut
See??? We are truly sisters.
heather
These are some great gift ideas for the holidays gotta add these to my list thanks for sharing.
Maureen
There are so many items to see at Target. I have said that I will be going there and say I will return shortly–then an hour later and I only live about 10 minutes from the store.
Connie: The Head Peanut
Oh I would be so dangerous living that close to Target. Mine is over an hour away soooo my wallet is pretty safe.
Tamra Phelps
Lol, good thing it didn’t happen in Walmart–you would have freaked out the greeter!!
gloria patterson
I don’t have this problem but there is some fun looking things here. In March my great niece got to start pre-k her mother was all ready for it. Zay wanted to ride the bus on the first day her mother followed in her car, parked and watched her walk in the building. She sat there and bawled! This year starts kindergarten and I am betting mommy will cry again LOL
Tamra Phelps
OK, you know that one Wooble looks like a boob, right??? But these do look like fun. Adult kids would love these, too, lol.
l p
thanks for these great ideas. they look like so much fun.
heather
These are some great toys that I had not seen before. I love the space activity set that is so cool