What is what to do when kids are bored?

Tackling Kid Boredom: A Guide for Parents & Caregivers

Boredom in children is a common experience, and while it can be frustrating for both kids and adults, it's also an opportunity for growth and creativity. Here's how to approach it:

• Acknowledge and Validate: First, acknowledge your child's feelings. Saying things like "I understand you're bored" is better than dismissing their feelings. Avoid immediately jumping to solutions. Let them sit with the feeling for a moment.

• Resist Rescuing Immediately: It's tempting to fill every moment with structured activity, but resist the urge. Allowing children to experience boredom encourages them to develop their own problem-solving skills and independent play.

• Brainstorming, Not Directives: Instead of giving specific activities, brainstorm a list of possibilities together. This empowers them and makes them more invested in the solution. Keep a "boredom buster" list handy. Ideas could include:

  • Creative activities: Drawing, painting, writing stories, making crafts, building with blocks or LEGOs. Link idea creative%20activities
  • Outdoor activities: Playing in the backyard, going for a walk or bike ride, visiting a park. Link idea outdoor%20activities
  • Household chores (with a twist): Make it a game! Put on music and have a cleaning dance party.
  • Reading: Encourage them to explore different genres and authors. Link idea reading
  • Learning something new: Using online resources to learn a new skill or topic.
  • Helping others: Doing something kind for a family member, neighbor, or friend.

• Limit Screen Time: While screen time can be a temporary distraction, it often exacerbates boredom in the long run and hinders the development of self-directed play. Link idea screen%20time

• Encourage Self-Reflection: Help children identify why they're bored. Are they lacking stimulation? Are they tired? Are they lonely? Understanding the root cause can help them find more meaningful solutions.

• Provide Resources and Opportunities: Make sure children have access to art supplies, books, toys, and other materials that can spark their imagination.

• Embrace the Mess: Sometimes, creative play can get messy. Be willing to tolerate a little bit of chaos in the name of exploration and fun.

• Model Resourcefulness: Show children how you handle boredom. Let them see you reading, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in activities that you enjoy.

• Don't Over-Schedule: Leave plenty of unscheduled time for children to relax, daydream, and explore their own interests. Too many structured activities can actually contribute to boredom.

• Be Patient: It may take some time for children to develop the ability to entertain themselves. Be patient and supportive as they learn to navigate their own boredom.