Busy kids are happy kids

By Mir

May 23, 2011

School’s out, here, and even though we finish our year pretty early, even those of you in the frozen north will be finishing out the school year pretty soon. And then what? Kids! Underfoot! Whining about being bored! And we can’t have that. (Pro tip: As soon as school ended I both gave the kids new chores and assigned them each a night to cook dinner. Because I’m a giver. But guess who is not complaining of boredom?)

But back to you. I have in my possession a trio of keep-’em-busy books from Downtown Bookworks, perfect for a summer of peace, harmony, and happy little kids. Sounds good, right? The winner of this week’s contest will receive Eye Q Picture Puzzler, The Do It Myself Kids’ Cookbook, and The Lonely Sock Club. All three of these books are rated for ages 4-8 and look like they’ll be a lot of fun.

So! Want to win ’em? Of course you do! First go review the contest rules and regulations, then come on back here and leave a comment on this post by 8:00 a.m. Eastern (that’s 5:00 a.m. Pacific) on Thursday, May 26th, 2011 for an entry. I’ll choose the winner via random number generation, or possibly I’ll allow my pet sock puppet to select the winner.

Ready? Go!

185 Comments

Rebecca on May 23, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Books!
Mary O on May 23, 2011 at 2:39 pm

OOOh, these look fun!
Nina on May 23, 2011 at 2:40 pm

My daughter would have love these!
Lisa P. on May 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm

I’d love to win! The kids’ first week of summer break starts today. How long before I’m wishing for back-to-school??
pam on May 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm

Oh yay! Three books Three Grands. Perfect.
Suzanne H on May 23, 2011 at 2:43 pm

Great giveaway!
Courtney on May 23, 2011 at 2:43 pm

Of course, we do!
Christina on May 23, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Oh my! Of course I want to win them! Here’s to a good start to summer.
GrandeMocha on May 23, 2011 at 2:46 pm

I would LOVE these!
squorkymama on May 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm

These look like fun!
Amy on May 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm

read!
Kyallee on May 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm

I have two kids who would be very happy to have these! Thanks for hosting another great giveaway!
Mary Fran on May 23, 2011 at 2:50 pm

I’m sorry, but June 27th isn’t “pretty soon”. Maybe winning will make me feel less sad that everyone else starts summer so much sooner than we do.
Tara on May 23, 2011 at 2:52 pm

Feeling lucky!
Dawn on May 23, 2011 at 2:53 pm

My kids would love these!
Katie on May 23, 2011 at 2:53 pm

My kids would love these!
Jodi on May 23, 2011 at 2:54 pm

These look great! Please pick me!
Bren on May 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

Books!
ste on May 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

I need my kid to be busy while her baby brother is sleeping!
MamaChristy on May 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

School let’s out Wednesday. This would be fab.
Missy on May 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

Thank you!
Kate on May 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

My poor kids don’e get out until June 22 but start their new school in Brazil on Aug. 4! But, yay for me, anyway. Need books for the plane ( I did snag a few of those woot kindles, too-thanks!)
Emily on May 23, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Me, please! We’ve got a long summer ahead of us, including a 40 hour (round trip, without traffic) road trip! We need all the help we can get!
TheresaAK on May 23, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Thank you!
erika kar on May 23, 2011 at 2:56 pm

I woke up in a sweat last night counting the days until school is out for us. Please! I beseech you, oh random.org, pick me!
Diane on May 23, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Looks like fun!
RebeccaL on May 23, 2011 at 2:57 pm

My daughter is a bit young for these, but my niece and nephews would love them!
alison T on May 23, 2011 at 2:59 pm

Yay for summer fun!
Lenetta on May 23, 2011 at 2:59 pm

Sounds great – thanks for the chance!
teya on May 23, 2011 at 3:01 pm

what a great idea!
Melissa on May 23, 2011 at 3:02 pm

Ohhhh I NEEEEED These!
Erika on May 23, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Summer vacation starts this weekend, so we definitely need this! Hope I win!!
kakaty on May 23, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Nothing like some extra summer reading!
Missy on May 23, 2011 at 3:05 pm

These would be perfect for my daughter, do you think six is old enough to cook supper??
Tracy on May 23, 2011 at 3:06 pm

Looks great!!
Lisa on May 23, 2011 at 3:09 pm

We would love these!
Amelia on May 23, 2011 at 3:10 pm

how much fun! my daughter would love these!
Katie in MA on May 23, 2011 at 3:10 pm

Ooh! Ooh! Guess who has two kids in the 4-8 year age range? >This girl!< True, I am mean and force my kids into daycare while I work full time. But still – there are those weekends that I sometimes think I might not survive.

Thanks, Mir!
Kristie on May 23, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Oooh, my 4 and 7-year-old granddaughters will be here for the summer! These would be great!
Alicia on May 23, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Books 🙂
Tina on May 23, 2011 at 3:14 pm

My boys would love these! (And I’m already working on making a new chore chart in anticipation of school being out next week.)
Shelly on May 23, 2011 at 3:14 pm

This would work well with my plans for my daughter to read more this summer!!
Sheryl on May 23, 2011 at 3:17 pm

Yay books!
Sherri on May 23, 2011 at 3:20 pm

I need these for our summer vacation. Please pick me!
Kristine on May 23, 2011 at 3:20 pm

How fast can you get them here? One week left of school and this past weekends cries of “I’ve got nothing to do!” have me worried for next week.
Cheryl S. on May 23, 2011 at 3:25 pm

Oooh! Books. We love books over here!
Holly on May 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm

Yes, please! I’d like to have happy, busy kids.
julie (etsy stalkers) on May 23, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Can i win someone to read these to my kids too?

http://etsystalkers.blogspot.com/
lauren on May 23, 2011 at 3:37 pm

This looks great!
Jennifer on May 23, 2011 at 3:38 pm

That cookbook sounds just perfect for my daughter.
Meisha on May 23, 2011 at 3:39 pm

sounds great
mere on May 23, 2011 at 3:44 pm

I don’t know who would have more fun – me or the kids! Thanks for the opportunity!
Sarah on May 23, 2011 at 3:49 pm

4 kids home all under 7, yep we need books like these!!!
Ani on May 23, 2011 at 3:51 pm

6-yr-old is unhappy that his 10-yr-old brother is off to sleep-away camp soon. We need entertainment, stat!
beth s on May 23, 2011 at 3:52 pm

sock book looks cool for cub scout projects
Lacey on May 23, 2011 at 3:59 pm

My daughter loves to cook.
sherri on May 23, 2011 at 4:00 pm

Yes please!!
Damsel on May 23, 2011 at 4:02 pm

My son would love these!
susan b on May 23, 2011 at 4:03 pm

These would be great for summer days with the grandkids!
Binky on May 23, 2011 at 4:04 pm

My sock puppet would very much like to be selected by your sock puppet.
Crisanne on May 23, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Love this contest!!
Heather S on May 23, 2011 at 4:06 pm

That would be perfect! Summer is long and hot here!
Heather on May 23, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Keeping them busy sound great and these books look like activities they’d enjoy! thanks for the contest.
Katie on May 23, 2011 at 4:13 pm

This would be rad, I have three rugrats to keep busy 🙂
Jennifer B on May 23, 2011 at 4:13 pm

My soon to be 5 year old would love these!
Natasha on May 23, 2011 at 4:14 pm

Would love to have these on hand this summer!
Valerie on May 23, 2011 at 4:17 pm

My kids would love these books!
EG on May 23, 2011 at 4:17 pm

“The Lonely Sock Club” makes me chuckle. I want to start a singles bar called “The Sock Drawer.” You know, ’cause you’re always looking for a match in the sock drawer?
Anna on May 23, 2011 at 4:22 pm

We have been in vacation mode for over a week already. I know my kids would love these. Thank you for the contest.
curls on May 23, 2011 at 4:26 pm

Would be perfect for my nephew!!
shifra on May 23, 2011 at 4:26 pm

My kids will make good use of these books…. So will I! Thanks!!!
preete on May 23, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Awesome idea…put me in the drawing!
JulieB on May 23, 2011 at 4:32 pm

Perfect for a rainy day!
Nicole on May 23, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Must keep kids buys!
Daisy on May 23, 2011 at 4:37 pm

These books are for ages 4-8? The exact ages of my kids– hope it’s a sign that I’m going to be a “winner”!!
kim on May 23, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Oh yes, I would love this one. My five year old was just last week trying to talk me into a $20 kids cookbook.
Kat on May 23, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Yay for books!
Sue V. on May 23, 2011 at 4:56 pm

This would be so wonderful for the summer. Thanks for the chance.
Aimee on May 23, 2011 at 5:00 pm

I am all for not having boredom. Because after boredom comes whining. Then comes REALLY grumpy Mom.
Diann on May 23, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Wow! This sounds great!!!
Laura on May 23, 2011 at 5:07 pm

My kids would prefer the books over chores – I’m sure LOL!
LeAnna Wilson on May 23, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Oh please pick me random generator! I’ve been so faithful to you!!!!
Jill on May 23, 2011 at 5:12 pm

I need busy kids! 🙂
Dawn on May 23, 2011 at 5:14 pm

Ooh, ooh!
Dawn on May 23, 2011 at 5:14 pm

Me!!!
Mandy on May 23, 2011 at 5:17 pm

always love books
Kris on May 23, 2011 at 5:25 pm

I have 2 kids in that age range that will be bored within 2 days of school ending! Hope we win!!!!
Melissa on May 23, 2011 at 5:34 pm

We loooove books in our house!!!
liv on May 23, 2011 at 5:35 pm

these look fantastic!
Christy on May 23, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Cute!
Emily on May 23, 2011 at 5:37 pm

So this will stop the fighting between my 7 year old and 3 year old? Please SAVE ME!
Selena on May 23, 2011 at 5:53 pm

We’d love to have these, especially the cook book. Thanks!
Robyn on May 23, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Totally fun! Winner me! 🙂
ELena on May 23, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Sounds fabulous for my just turned 8 year old girl~pick me (her, us, whatevs)!
Trish on May 23, 2011 at 6:26 pm

yay books!
Tina on May 23, 2011 at 6:30 pm

pefect!!!
Golden on May 23, 2011 at 6:39 pm

What fun!
Nowheymama on May 23, 2011 at 6:52 pm

These would be PERFECT.
Maria on May 23, 2011 at 7:15 pm

YAY!! You should totally pick me!
Antonella on May 23, 2011 at 8:04 pm

Oh this would be great— 3 days into summer break and I am already searching for more things to keep them busy!!
Anna on May 23, 2011 at 8:43 pm

Summer? What summer? I needed a down parka at yesterday’s BBQ. Thanks!
Tanya on May 23, 2011 at 9:09 pm

Hey, I’ve got a kid that falls within that age group! Maybe she’s feeling lucky!
Rebekah on May 23, 2011 at 9:12 pm

Yeah, keep that kid out from under my feet before I make slippers out of him!!
Mar H on May 23, 2011 at 9:24 pm

These look like fun for my boys and me!
Tzivy on May 23, 2011 at 9:33 pm

This will occupy the kiddies!
Eva on May 23, 2011 at 9:34 pm

I have kids! And need to keep them busy!
may on May 23, 2011 at 9:39 pm

Heck yes! Hooray for books!
Elizabeth on May 23, 2011 at 9:44 pm

Yes, yes, count me in! Summer is upon us!
Jenn on May 23, 2011 at 9:46 pm

These look great!!!!
Katie on May 23, 2011 at 10:09 pm

Those do sound fun!
Liza on May 23, 2011 at 10:11 pm

Books! Books! Books!
d on May 23, 2011 at 10:31 pm

It’s been a week and I’ve lost my mind already!
When does school start again?
My 5 yr old is killing me
Colleen on May 23, 2011 at 10:40 pm

Hooray! We’d love these!
tory on May 23, 2011 at 10:45 pm

I want busy kids!
dallimomma on May 23, 2011 at 11:12 pm

Oh, please! My granddaughter would totally flip if I handed her these books.
Sarahtoo on May 23, 2011 at 11:15 pm

Ooh please, pick me! Thursday’s my birthday and the last day of school, at which point, my 8yo and 5yo will need distracting!
Krista on May 23, 2011 at 11:32 pm

4 children under 6 – we need books! 😀
jen on May 23, 2011 at 11:37 pm

please! 🙂 it would make 4 kids and 1 mommy very happy!!
Lisa on May 23, 2011 at 11:59 pm

Thanks for the chance! 🙂
Lippy on May 24, 2011 at 12:02 am

I am so afraid of the boredom, these sound like fun.
Lori Smith on May 24, 2011 at 12:52 am

Need. These. Books.
Pretty Please 🙂
Heather R. on May 24, 2011 at 1:19 am

The kiddos last day of school is Friday! I need boredom busters STAT!
Michele on May 24, 2011 at 1:50 am

I have 3 kids in that age range! Yay pick me!
Thorny on May 24, 2011 at 3:14 am

Oh my goodness, I am desperate for anything that will keep my twins busy this summer! Please pick me, O Pretty Random Number Generator!
Bonnie on May 24, 2011 at 6:03 am

me please 🙂
emily on May 24, 2011 at 6:55 am

Yes, please! I’m going to need something to keep them occupied this summer!
Heather M. on May 24, 2011 at 7:04 am

Great for summer!!!! Love them!
Margaret on May 24, 2011 at 7:25 am

wow-great prize
Elizabeth on May 24, 2011 at 8:15 am

:pve the chores idea! thanks for the parenting tip for pretty moms!
Kassie on May 24, 2011 at 8:19 am

I have 2 in the 4-8 category and I am scared of the end of next week. Seriously. I NEED these!
Janice on May 24, 2011 at 8:31 am

Perfect for my daughter – Thanks!
Stacey on May 24, 2011 at 8:59 am

These look fun! Thanks Mir!
Beachgal on May 24, 2011 at 9:04 am

my son would enjoy these…and my husband, who is home with him all summer. Thanks for the opportunity!
Robin on May 24, 2011 at 9:20 am

boo hoo. they cancelled summer school here, so we need all the help to chase away the boredom. pick me pretty please.
jayshree on May 24, 2011 at 9:38 am

Perfect ! One more day of school, this will be great…
Kelly E. on May 24, 2011 at 9:38 am

We never have enough books!
Candy on May 24, 2011 at 9:41 am

Books would be great for my kid
Rachel on May 24, 2011 at 10:03 am

Oooh these look awesome!
Grace on May 24, 2011 at 10:18 am

Perfect! My kids would have a blast!
gretchen on May 24, 2011 at 10:23 am

love! <3
Holly on May 24, 2011 at 10:53 am

I want some books!!
Betsy on May 24, 2011 at 10:53 am

I need something to keep these kids busy this summer
Keryn on May 24, 2011 at 10:55 am

My brother and his three kids will be living with us this summer, so we will have 8 kids under the age of 10 in my 1600 sq ft house, plus the three adults. (Hold me.) So I could really, really use such a prize. Here’s hoping the random generator will favor me this time ’round.
Hollie on May 24, 2011 at 10:56 am

This would be fantastic!
Lori_S on May 24, 2011 at 10:59 am

We are huge readers and would give these books a loving home.

Thanks!
stephanie on May 24, 2011 at 11:02 am

This looks like fun for a loooong car ride to Florida next month!
Karen on May 24, 2011 at 11:05 am

My daughter loves to read! Thanks for the chance to win.
Joanne on May 24, 2011 at 11:17 am

Perfect for summer time!
Jessica on May 24, 2011 at 11:27 am

Have 3 kids who would love these!
Katie in CA on May 24, 2011 at 11:58 am

Sure!
susan on May 24, 2011 at 12:33 pm

These look fun!!
chesney on May 24, 2011 at 1:21 pm

My 7yr old would love this
Kyung on May 24, 2011 at 1:57 pm

These look great!
Annette on May 24, 2011 at 2:34 pm

I have 2 in that age group… Count me in!
Sarah on May 24, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Want them!! My kids will for sure!
Candi on May 24, 2011 at 3:42 pm

All these books looked great on Amazon – the reviews were so good! I would love these for my son.
Jerrie Waits on May 24, 2011 at 3:50 pm

My daughter (and my nerves) would love these. She is in first grade and the top reader in her class. Very excited about books in general these days. OH GREAT RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR PICK ME UMMM I Mean Morgan. LOL
Melissa on May 24, 2011 at 3:52 pm

I have 3 kiddos that would enjoy these!
Jerrie Waits on May 24, 2011 at 3:52 pm

MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WOULD LOVE THESE. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE MIR..
Alison on May 24, 2011 at 5:27 pm

Perfect for summer!
Faith on May 24, 2011 at 5:34 pm

These would be GREAT for summer! 🙂
Christina on May 24, 2011 at 5:55 pm

pick me number generator!!
sarah on May 24, 2011 at 5:55 pm

These look fun!
Sarah on May 24, 2011 at 5:55 pm

Yes, Please!!
anna on May 24, 2011 at 8:03 pm

kids guess what we are going to do
JessicaD on May 24, 2011 at 8:32 pm

My kids would love! Thanks – Jessica
Mimi on May 24, 2011 at 10:37 pm

This teacher needs those books!
Tracybeeeee on May 24, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Pick me….please.
Jenn on May 25, 2011 at 3:47 pm

These would be fun for my soon to be 2nd grader, though we still have a month left of school…
dee on May 25, 2011 at 3:53 pm

Have kids, need diversions. Thanks for the offer!
Beth A. on May 25, 2011 at 4:10 pm

The resident 6 year old of my house NEEDS these books!
Chrissy on May 25, 2011 at 4:19 pm

Fun! Thanks!
Dawn K. on May 25, 2011 at 4:23 pm

School ended yesterday for us, and I’m woefully underprepared. These would be a big help!
Jenny on May 25, 2011 at 4:38 pm

Productively busy kids are the best!
m on May 25, 2011 at 6:36 pm

yes please!
Michele D on May 25, 2011 at 6:58 pm

Well last day of school was yesterday and I am already counting down the days until school starts again…..
Sue on May 25, 2011 at 7:48 pm

GREAT prize!!!
Katherine on May 25, 2011 at 9:49 pm

Ooooooh! Please pick me! These books could save us on the epic drive we are undertaking this summer. I’m crossing my fingers…
Lori Acci on May 25, 2011 at 10:05 pm

please pick me.
Amanda on May 25, 2011 at 10:05 pm

Oh, this is a good one! Perfect for my oldest 🙂
Jo on May 25, 2011 at 11:27 pm

Thanks for the chance!
Lisa S on May 26, 2011 at 12:03 am

random comment!
Southern GAl on May 26, 2011 at 7:15 am

I will always throw my hat in the ring for books! Thanks!
Sarah M. on May 26, 2011 at 7:23 am

These books sound great! Thanks Mir!
Stacy R on May 26, 2011 at 7:59 am

I could really use these this summer. Thanks!!

Busy kids are happy kids

185 Comments

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