Whether it is a rainy day, or a scorching hot one, or the kids just need a break from the great outdoors, at some point this summer you are bound to spend a day inside. How do you keep from going bananas within the confines of your living room without resorting to an entire day of television time? The following are some Inside Day activities that won't have the kids running around with nothing to do.

4 Indoor Boredom Busters To Try This Summer:

Coloring Contest: This is one everyone can participate in, regardless of age. Set aside enough prizes for all participants, or have the kids create medals out of ribbon and card stock. Use a coloring sheet or blank piece of paper and then provide kids with all the materials they will need to make a fantastic piece of art including, pencil crayons, felt pens, crayons, glitter glue, and stickers. While the kids are coloring (and you too, if you're participating) think of a variety of categories in which you will award the prizes. Prizes could include staying in the lines, best use of color, originality, creativity, best use of paper etc. Set a time limit, or let the kids color as long as they want, and then when all the pages are handed in, hold an award ceremony and reward the kids for their hard work. Kids of all ages like to color, even mom and dad, and who doesn't like the thrill of winning?

Boardgames: Turn the afternoon into family game day. Whether you play your old favorites, or pick out a new game from the store, the kids (and mom or dad if they need help) will enjoy an afternoon of friendly competition. Choose board games that are age appropriate and that everyone wants to play. If fighting ensues while picking the game, you could have each child pick a game to play, either that day, or for each day. In terms of who goes first, common rules state that the youngest goes first but you could have the kids take turns if that means less screaming and fighting. You can even turn a simple game into a contest with prizes including best out of three, most sportsmanlike, and best loser. Or, add a fun twist to the competition by declaring it backwards day and playing the game from the finish line, or by making the winner the person who comes in last. It could be barrels of laughter as the kids try and keep from winning and they could learn a very valuable lesson as well: that sometimes the fun of the game is in the playing.

Make Believe: Whether you set up camp in the living room and have the kids pretend to roast marshmallows over the coffee table, or the play store at the kitchen table, allowing the kids to play make believe is great for their imaginations and can keep them busy all morning long. Store, school, and house are common make believe games but you could have the kids play zoo, camping, prince and princess, or super heroes as well.

Put on a Show: Whether you choose to do a circus, a play, a talent show, a movie, or a dance recital, the kids will love being in the spotlight at the end of the afternoon. Older kids could write a script for a play or a movie, while younger kids can go on the spot with their imaginations. Have the kids make props and decorations, find costumes, and think of something to perform and then it is practice, practice, practice. Show time could be after dinner when everyone is home for the day.

Inside days don't have to turn into constant rounds of “I'm bored” and “there's nothing to do”. And even if they do, it is a lot easier to battle the boredom blues when you have a variety of fun ideas stored inside your mind. Or, write down all the fun inside things your kids like to do and put them in a hat so the next time someone comes running with that bored-what-shall-I-do-today face you can combat it by having them pick an activity out of the hat.