Why I’m Okay with My Kids Being Bored

Do you feel like you are constantly trying to entertain your kids? It’s exhausting. Find out why I’m okay with my kids being bored and how it actually helps them in the long-run, PLUS get our list of favorite activities for kids if your kids need some ideas to help them get started entertaining themselves.

I live in an area where it’s common for kids to live very scheduled lives. Most kids have 3-4 outside activities behind school so when people find out my kids aren’t in organized sports or outside activities beyond the things we do together as a family (and yearly swim lessons) they are shocked.

My kids must be deprived! I’m denying them a childhood!

Here’s the thing though. My best memories of childhood happened when I was free to explore and figure out what I was interested in. I needed time to do that. I needed to be given the chance to be bored.

I’ve been asked more than once, “Don’t your kids get bored”.

My answer to that is, yes. Yes, sometimes they do. And I’m okay with that.

Necessity may be the mother of invention but boredom is the mother of creativity.

My kids have come up with the most creative games and activities when they have been bored. They’ve played with younger siblings and strengthened bonds. They’ve read books that they’ve already read and played games that they’ve already played. They’ve cleaned their rooms and run around doing nothing in the backyard. They’ve made things out of cardboard and drawn pictures in chalk on the driveway.

 

Growing up, whenever I would complain that I was bored, my dad would say, “only boring people get bored.” I’ve repeated this to my kids, and they hate it when I do, but it is true. If they put in a little effort, they can ALWAYS find something to do.

Pay Attention:

There’s a caveat to this. Sometimes when kids say they are bored, what they are really asking for is some attention from you. It takes a bit of practice telling the difference between the two, but it is so important to answer that need for attention when kids reach out to you. I have one child who is frequently “bored”, but what he usually needs is a few minutes to talk to me. He isn’t craving something to do, he’s craving my full attention so he can tell me about the things that are important to him.

I’ve had to learn to notice the difference when my kids come to me saying they are bored, because I don’t want to turn a kid away who really just needs some attention from me.

When my kids complain to me that they are bored and want me to entertain them I come back with 1 of 2 things:

1. Here’s a chore that needs doing . . .
2. Go. Find. Something. To. Do.

They usually opt for choice #2.

Either way, it’s a win.

If they need a little practice finding something to do, you could start them off with this list of activities they can do.

Kids Bored? Here’s a List of our Favorite Activities for Kids

1. Make sandbox volcanos 
2. Magnifying Glass Science (This one requires a bit of supervision)
3. Make a fort
4. Soda Bottle Compost
5. Bubble Wrap Stamp Painting
6. Balloon Rockets
7. Draw a huge sidewalk chalk creation
8. Water Marbles
9. Pool Noodle Marble Racetrack
10. Egg Carton Butterflies
11. Firework Salt Painting
12. Go on a nature walk
13. Citrus Stamped Canvas Art Project
14. Make a pool noodle play house
15. Salt Writing
16. Math War Multiplication Card Game
17. Corn Starch and Water Goo
18. Read a book (keep kids motivated with this free printable summer reading chart)
19. Make sidewalk squirt paint
20. Paint with homemade egg tempera paint
21. Homemade paper top
22. DIY water wall
23. Learn to bake something new
24. Make sand art with homemade colored sand
25. Make a fingerprint picture
26. Hot Rocks art for kids
27. Make your own recycled paper
28. Plant a flower garden
29. Cookie sheet printing
30. Build your own sprinkler
31. DIY Pool Noodle Swords
32. Glue Suncatchers
33. Handprint Flowering Cactuses 
34. Rainbow Cloud Craft
35. DIY Unicorn Pen Holder
36. Printable Paper Flower Garden
37. Make homemade slime
38. Fingerprinted Snap Dragons
39. Make something creative with paint chips
40. Make Washi Tape Beads
41. Take a neighbor’s dog for a walk
42. Paint without a paint brush
43. Marble painting
44. Make pattern art
45. Make Wavy Paper Weaving Art
46. Paint with water
47. Make Coffee Filter Suns
48. Make Painted Paper Weaving
49. Pull weeds in the garden
50. Make Q-tip Skeletons

If that doesn’t keep your kids busy, nothing will!

 

Resources for “Bored” Days

Made By Me Create Your Own Sand Art by Horizon Group USAMelissa & Doug Stained Glass Made Easy Activity Kit: Butterfly – 140+ StickersThe Dangerous Book for BoysThe Daring Book for Girlswhat to do when there’s nothing to doMelissa & Doug On the Go Origami Animals Craft Activity Set – 38 Stickers, 40 Origami PapersKlutz Make Clay Charms Craft KitALEX Discover My Giant Busy BoxCreativity for Kids Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium – Science Kit for KidsALEX Toys Craft Rock Pets Turtle, MultiKlutz Make Your Own Soap Science KitKlutz LEGO Chain Reactions Craft KitKlutz Sew Mini Treats: More Than 18 Food Plushies to Stitch & StuffElmer’s Glue Deluxe Slime Starter Kit, Clear School Glue & Glitter Glue Pens, 3 Count4M Recycled Paper Beads KitMelissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Race Car Craft KitArtSkills Activity Bucket, Arts and Crafts Supplies, 10 Project Ideas, Assorted Colors and Shapes, 404 CountALEX DIY Knot A Quilt4M Crystal Growing ExperimentScientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science KitScientific Explorer POOF-Slinky Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit, (9) Activities, 0SA247The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the4M Kitchen Science KitSnap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit | Over 100 STEM Projects | 4-Color Project Manual | 30 Snap Modules | Unlimited FunSnap Circuits Snaptricity Electronics Exploration Kit | Over 75 STEM Projects | 4-Color Project Manual | 40 Snap Modules | Unlimited FunScientific Explorer Tasty Science KitMasterChef Junior Baking Kitchen Set – 7 Pc. Kit Includes Real Cooking Tools for Kids and RecipesCrazy Forts,Purple, 69 piecesFantasy Fort Kit Pretend Play Construction Building Set Indoor Playhouse Heavy Duty Faux Wood Panels Each Panel 22 x 22 Inches 32 PiecesAir Fort Build an Inflatable Fun Kid’s AirFort inflates in Seconds. The Easy Play Tent for Kids of All Ages! Mod About GrayMelissa & Doug On the Go Sequin Art Craft Activity Set: 500+ Sequins and Gems and 4 Scenes – MermaidsGreen Toys Jump Rope – BPA Free, Phthalates Free, Green Handle Skipping Rope Better Health, Increased Concentration. Fitness Equipment

 

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