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Original poster

DS shouldn't be bored at lunchtimes?

27 replies

quickscribble · 10/05/2022 19:13

He's in yr 7, so whereas in primary school the kids would all play a game of manhunt or hopscotch or on the apparatus, this doesn't happen in secondary school and once they've eaten their lunch they just sit around. I've suggested he find another club to join and also maybe take a pack of cards in. Does anyone know and quick easy to teach card games that would be good for him to get a few others playing easily? I think part of the problem is he doesn't have a lot of friends yet.

He was taking a Rubik's cube in for a while, which he was able to entertain a few others with....what else could I get him, small and entertaining, obviously not electric or noisy or likely to be confiscated? Any small toys or tricks to learn, modern equivalent of marbles I guess. I thought about teckdeck but I think that phase has passed also.

They're only allowed on the sports pitch if they change intro their PE kit, so that doesn't happen.

Any ideas much appreciated.

OP posts:
OceanAtTheEnd · 10/05/2022 19:26

What about a Euclidean cube star cube - Amazon have them.

Or Usborne have a really nice pack of cards set of optical illusions.

Or Top trumps?

It's a tricky in between age. Are there any lunchtime clubs he could go to? Can they go to the library and muck about on laptops or PCs?

Theunamedcat · 10/05/2022 19:28

Most of my ds friends have phones sit and chat or wander around chatting

OceanAtTheEnd · 10/05/2022 19:28

Flip books are good too - you could get him some printed ones (e.g. butterfly metamorphosis), and some blank ones too for him to have a go at.

Hyvsvaar · 10/05/2022 19:36

My son did magic tricks and got such a crowd he was given a room at lunchtime for others to join in 🤣 by yr 8 though he had used up all his tricks, he loves a rubik cube too it’s done in seconds no matter how much you twist and turn…it’s an algorithm apparently
ask the head of year what the options are? There is usually art club or quiet space

reluctantbrit · 10/05/2022 19:36

DD and her friends played Snap with a normal deck of cards. Uno and Dobble are also games she plays.

They also talk about TV and some of the boys she knows outside school spend their lunchbreak discussing sports a lot.

Clubs are a good idea if there is a reasonable amount of time, DD gave up as the break is short and she wants time to eat in peace.

Rogue1001MNer · 10/05/2022 19:38

Amazed the school doesn't have lunchtime clubs.

Double.

Uno (can be played with regular cards)

Rummy

Spit

Whist (my personal favourite)

Rogue1001MNer · 10/05/2022 19:39

Dobble, not double. Thanks auto correct 😳

FrankLampardsBrokenHand · 10/05/2022 19:40

Has he said he wants to join a club, or dislikes just having downtime?

itsgettingweird · 10/05/2022 19:41

Another saying uno!

Ds and his mates were still playing it at lunchtimes in year 11 Grin

Savingpeoplehuntingthings · 10/05/2022 19:41

Some of the classrooms are open at lunchtime at dc's a book for children interested in the area to use unsupervised, music and drama rooms and chapel, might that be a possibility or specific lunchtime clubs?
Failing that a book to read, marbles, a small game?

Savingpeoplehuntingthings · 10/05/2022 19:42

Dc's School not book!

FlissyPaps · 10/05/2022 19:43

Card games:
21, Black Jack, Poker (obviously the gambling side of it wouldn’t be allowed in school), Shithead (yes this is an actual card game)

Pokemon Go if they’re allowed their phones out.

If he’s into art, a sketchbook and pencils.

SheWoreYellow · 10/05/2022 19:44

Can you check the PE kit thing is right? And if so I’d be questioning that policy. Shoes, fair enough, but the whole kit?

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 10/05/2022 19:45

we used to play 'scabby queen' (old maid) at school. Complete with 'scabbing' (skinning the knuckles of the loser with the card deck 😰🤣

Motherhippo · 10/05/2022 19:47

Seems a bit silly that they have to change into their PE kit to head onto the sports field. Like another poster said I'd double check this and maybe even challenge it.
At my secondary school a large majority of the lads would be playing football of a lunch time. In the bad weather they had permission to play basketball in the gym.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 10/05/2022 19:51

Cards can be disapproved of. It might start as snap, pontoon or patience, but it turns into blackjack and poker with real money for stakes very easily (it's how I supplemented my dinner money for some time aged 13).

He needs to find more clubs. There's almost always something going on somewhere.

skgnome · 10/05/2022 19:51

Uno, dobble, exploding kittens
guessing he can always join a club, or start one
he can take a book, a sketch pad, juggling balls, rubicks cube (there are some with different shapes - like a star instead of a cube to make them harder) - even a travel sized chess set
end of day, he’ll need to find a group of friends, it’s all part of growing up, but with you if he has something he can play and involve others he’ll soon get more friends

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 10/05/2022 19:52

Our year 7s seem to still run around playing tag and burning off energy! We’ve got outside table tennis tables the year 7s play with, football/basketball outside, clubs most days

carefullycourageous · 10/05/2022 19:54

He's yr7, I think it is time for you to back off and leave him to navigate this issue himself.

Being bored is an important part of the creative cycle, that's what I remind myself anyway when mine are bored.

It'll come good. I would encourage him to look at the club's.

BaaMoon · 10/05/2022 19:56

We used to run around the school looking for one person and then when we'd found them someone else's turn. A massive game of hide and seek.

WreckTangled · 10/05/2022 20:01

DD's school only has 25 minutes for lunch Confused just enough time to eat and have a quick chat and not much else.

axolotlfloof · 10/05/2022 20:03

Motherhippo · 10/05/2022 19:47

Seems a bit silly that they have to change into their PE kit to head onto the sports field. Like another poster said I'd double check this and maybe even challenge it.
At my secondary school a large majority of the lads would be playing football of a lunch time. In the bad weather they had permission to play basketball in the gym.

My son's y8 and y10 play football at lunchtime.
I would definitely query with school.

Original poster
quickscribble · 10/05/2022 20:04

Thanks all. We'll have a go a learning some more card games (shithead is the only one he knows - taught him and DD several years ago!) and give him Uno. Yes the school has lots of lunchtime clubs, I was asking in addition to that. I know I need to leave him to it - I just want to help a bit.

I think half the he problem is he's lost without his phone / a screen. Although he's always been a bit rubbish at amusing himself.

OP posts:
Sososobored · 10/05/2022 20:08

The school day is very structured with lunch being the only down time. Are you worried he is lonely? DS also year 7 had that for a while. It was really difficult not to try "fix" it for him. He eventually found his way. He still finds himself at a loose end occasionally but I think that's what drives him in making the effort to make friends

saleorbouy · 10/05/2022 20:15

Uno or backgammon. Why not ask to start a chess club.