For most parents after school time, especially in the summer isn't always a "midsummer nights dream" with the kids

If it's inspiration you seek as the summertime approaches and the after school boredom sets in then read on. We have some great boredom busting ideas for you today which we hope will keep the kids (but more importantly you!) sane during the long summer months.

Organizing simple but fun after school activities means you can still do the things you want to do AND keep the kids happy

So it's 3:00pm, you know what you'de like to be doing but you have to rush to meet the school bus or to do the car pool. Your kids get home, sweaty and thirsty and of course.....bored! With just a little forethought and some clever planning you can arrange great after school activities a few times a week that can get you through to the best time of the day...Bedtime!

1: Bonfire & BBQ

There's nothing kids love more than going with family and friends to the mountains or the beach, gathering firewood and cooking marshmallows on sticks. What you also have to remember is that kids love surprises so why not surprise them. Pick them up from school all ready for the trip with some hot dogs, potatoes and cold drinks, a box of matches and you're good to go. It doesn't have to be expensive and can be done any where and anytime in the hot summer months.

2: Bug Collecting

Collecting hobbies are great for giving kids purpose and direction in life and can be incorporated cleverly as an after school activity. Many kids, young and old, like bug collecting for example. You can set them a dedicated time after school, before dark sets in, to see if they can find certain common (safe!) bugs and bring them home. With just a few minutes research on the web you can give them all they need to know, a couple of nets and a few glass jars and they'll be all set.

3: Vegetable Garden

Depending on the season you can grow some great garden vegetables easily keeping the kids engaged and giving them something to nurture themselves. You could also incorporate small gardening projects with this to build flower beds or learn how to pot plants. Being outdoors, breathing fresh air as the sun goes down can be very relaxing which will also help them to wind down after a busy day at school. You can get some good advice on how to grow your own vegetable on homeandgardensite.com.

4: Scouts & Brownies

Whether your kids are younger or entering their teens the scouts is a fantastic after school activity for them. Building self confidence and proficiency and learning a variety of life skills the scouts and brownies are a great weekly activity and also a great social arena for your children. You can find all the information you need on the boy scouts at their website.

5: Treasure hunting

Treasure hunts are a great budget way to kill a few after school hours. Again, with a little planning you can arrange great, fun treasure hunts for the kids. You can do this in your local area, at a park or play area or even in your back yard and home. What you'll need to do is to set up clues which lead the kids, working either alone or in groups, to different locations. This activity is good for getting the kids thinking as well as running around looking for clues. No doubt they will have a good nights sleep after a good hunt. You can find some excellent treasure hunt ideas and printable sheets on the parents.com website.

6: Sports

Keeping fit is vital for youngsters and it's a great thing to get them into the habit of doing regular sports at least once a week if not more. It doesn't matter if it's baseball, football or basketball, giving them the time after school to let their energy and possibly their teenage frustration out on the sports field is a great thing to do. Track and running is also a good option but it is preferable to have your kids join a local club so the competitive aspect is there. Children love being part of something, a team or little league so it's well worth looking into this for them.