If You're Bored...Idea #1

Our summer days and nights have been packed full of recitals, ball games and sleepovers and such. All through the spring and the first weeks of summer vacation we have been running at a crazy pace. But now that are between baseball and soccer seasons our pace is slower and I find my kids saying "I'm Bored...".
I actually think my kids are pretty good at entertaining themselves. They have great imaginations and still find many adventures to get caught up in. We live in a neighborhood full of kids and they are independent enough this summer to ride their bikes to their friends houses and play in backyards and at the park or the school playground. Yet still, with all the hours of free time they have on their hands...I hear from time to time..."I am bored..."
If you are finding yourself in a similar situation here is an idea...

Go to Bonneville Mill in Bristol.

We took a picnic up to Bonneville County Park on Friday with our cousins, The Galls and The Millers (who are visiting from Nevada). The kids had a wonderful time...and so did the adults. Steve scheduled a private tour of the mill by calling the Elkhart County Parks Department. The cost was $1.00 per person. We had a group of 12. The tour of the historic mill that grinds corn, wheat, rye and buckwheat was interesting and kept moving at a good pace. The tour included many nuggets of education not only about history, but of gears and pulleys, machinery, agriculture and even nutrition. There were hands on activities and they turned the mill on so we could see one of the original giant stones grinding corn.


The park is a beautiful place with a look out tower to climb, a stream to wade in and plenty of areas for a shady picnic. This county park is located in the heart of Elkhart County. The park is open everyday from May - October from 10am - 5pm.

If you are in Northern Indiana this is a great close by, get away for the day.