The only suggestion I have is to not take school agers...

I do NOT take them for the very reasons you listed.

If not taking them isn't an option, how about making up some sort of activity jar...every time they fight, rough house or misbehave or say they are bored, have them pick an activity from the jar.

Have the activities be things like start a game of hide and seek, collect 10 things that begin with the letter A, read for 20 minutes, etc....

Depending on their behaviors, I would consider making a few choices be similar to "chores"...you know, like putting them to work. Have them sort out your crayon boxes (taking out the old ones), sort through your toy boxes, organize the books, etc....

I don't know...I really don't have anything to add....just tossing ideas out there....

Like I said, I don't take kids that old....they drive me crazy and NO amount of money is worth giving up my sanity. LOL!