Parents often hear the dreaded words, "I'm bored!" But what if we told you that boredom isn't the enemy? Instead of rushing to fill every idle moment, consider this: boredom can be a springboard for creativity, resilience, and essential life skills that children will carry for a lifetime.
Rooted in current research and personal experience from an educator and parent, this article explores how reframing boredom can positively impact child development. I'll also share open-ended play ideas and provide tips for parents adjusting to a hands-off approach.
Why Boredom is Good for Kids
Boredom often gets a bad rap. However, research shows that it can actually benefit children in surprising ways. According to a study by Dr. Sandi Mann, boredom stimulates the brain to seek out creative solutions. When kids are left with unstructured time, their minds wander, prompting them to develop new ideas and explore possibilities.
Even more, boredom builds resilience. Dr. Teresa Belton explains that tolerating boredom helps children manage discomfort and develop patience. These are critical emotional regulation skills that prepare kids for real-life challenges, where instant gratification isn't always an option.
The Link Between Boredom and Creativity
Psychologist Jamie Jirout from the University of Virginia highlights that boredom fosters curiosity, which often leads to innovative thinking. When children are tasked with coming up with their own entertainment, they venture into uncharted creative territory. For example, the classic empty cardboard box becomes a spaceship, a race car, or a fortress in the hands of a bored child with a vivid imagination.
Resilience Through Boredom
Learning to sit with the discomfort of boredom without immediately seeking external solutions strengthens a child's emotional stamina. Over time, they become more confident in their ability to self-soothe, find joy in small moments, and approach problems with a solution-focused mindset.
The Lasting Life Skills of "Finding Their Own Fun"
Research and real-life experience both affirm that when kids are given the chance to overcome boredom, they're not just passing the time. They're learning how to:
• Solve problems creatively
• Handle frustration and failure
• Build independence and self-initiative
• Develop emotional resilience
• Collaborate during group play
These are not traits children can easily gain from following instructions on a digital screen or coloring inside the lines. They emerge when we, as parents, step back and allow the unstructured to unfold.
Boredom Busting Tools That Encourage Open-Ended Play
Naturally, boredom becomes a breeding ground for creativity when kids have access to open-ended materials. The right toys and supplies don't dictate how they should be used. Instead, they inspire children to decide for themselves.
Here's what I recommend:
• Building materials: Legos, wooden blocks, and magnetic tiles allow endless construction and innovation.
• Figurines: Action figures, animals, and doll sets encourage imaginative storytelling.
• Art and craft supplies: Paints, markers, pipe cleaners, glue, fabric scraps, and beads give kids the tools to create masterpieces.
• Nature and loose parts: Sticks, rocks, leaves, buttons, invention kits, and recycled items (bottles, cardboard boxes, cans, etc.) inspire designs, inventions, problem-solving, categorizing, and creativity.
• DIY kits and tools: Kits for invention or simple hand tools can inspire engineering and problem-solving skills.
Stocking your home with these versatile items gives kids the tools to explore and master independent play.
We often gifted our sons DIY kits that we assembled to help bust boredom and build creativity. We put together art kits, spy kits, invention kits, "survival" and exploring kits for the woods, toolboxes with tools, and copious amounts of duct tape for cardboard box creations.
How Boredom-Busting Activities Differ by Age
The developmental needs of younger kids and older kids vary, so boredom-busting strategies should evolve as children grow.
Younger Kids' Activities (Ages 4–9)
Younger children thrive on imagination and tactile, hands-on activities. They enjoy opportunities for make-believe, sensory experiences, and interactive play. Some ideas include opportunities for:
• Creating obstacle courses indoors or outside
• Engaging in themed pretend play, like running a "restaurant" or a "jungle safari"
• Building with blocks, creating with clay, or using loose parts for open-ended exploration
• Scavenger hunts outdoors or around the house
More scaffolding, which may include adult supervision, guidance, or prompts to spark creativity, may be needed for younger children. Present them with engaging materials or an interesting challenge, and watch as they gradually build confidence to take on bigger challenges.
Tweens and Teens' Activities (Ages 10–16)
For older kids, boredom-busting activities should align with their deeper curiosity and growing independence. Activities for tweens and teens might include:
• Mastering skills, like learning how to bake, sew, make jewelry, build a bird house, or fix a bike
• Exploring personal hobbies or interests, such as photography, podcasting, or coding
• Taking on leadership roles, such as organizing a kickball game, planning a neighborhood cleanup, or organizing a garage sale
• Spending time outdoors, whether through free play, hiking, biking, or exploring
• Doing volunteering or small jobs for neighbors and friends (pet walking, taking our trash, getting mail, mowing, watering plants, babysitting, etc).
• Exercising or playing a sport
Older kids tend to appreciate more autonomy in choosing how to spend their time, so empowering them to take the lead is helpful.
Building Brain-Friendly Boredom Practices
For all children, and especially for children with ADHD, it's important to strike a balance between offering support and allowing autonomy. While they may lean on you for guidance initially, encourage your child to take the lead progressively. Celebrate their ability to initiate activities and overcome the anxiety or frustration boredom can bring. These moments of independence can help foster self-esteem and build resilience.
Boredom Tolerance Challenges in Children with ADHD
As a former teacher and mom to a child with ADHD, I understand that children with ADHD face unique hurdles when it comes to managing boredom. ADHD brains tend to have a dopamine deficiency, which leads them to crave stimulation. For a child with ADHD, boredom can often feel overwhelming or even unbearable. However, we can approach this as a valuable opportunity to build essential executive functioning skills, such as self-regulation, task initiation, and focus.
Strategies for Supporting Kids with ADHD
- Break Big Tasks into Smaller Steps: A blank, unstructured stretch of time may seem endless and daunting for a child with ADHD. Coach them to set small, manageable goals like building the base of a LEGO tower or drawing the outline for an art project.
- Keep Supplies Easily Accessible: Organize calming and engaging materials in a dedicated space, so they can quickly grab items like fidget toys, puzzles, or sensory bins. Note, for kids with ADHD, out of sight often means out of mind. Sometimes they need visual reminders of activities that are available.
- Encourage Active Breaks: Physical activities, like jumping on a trampoline or dancing to music, are great energizers for kids with ADHD. These breaks reset focus, provide a natural dopamine boost, and can lead to new brainstorming ideas or get them through the next step in a task.
- "Body Double": Having someone around often helps people with ADHD jump into action and stay focused and motivated.
- Co-Create a Boredom Toolkit: Collaboratively build a list of go-to activities that spark their interest. For example, they might add activities like making slime, building a fort, or working on a mini comic book.
Real-Life Examples of Boredom-Inspired Creativity
As a parent of two active boys, I've witnessed the power of boredom firsthand. During many summer afternoons, my kids and their neighborhood friends transformed our backyard into an obstacle course; they’d scavenge for hula hoops, wading pools, pieces of wood, logs, cones, and more to create challenging obstacles for hours of competition and rearranging.
On rainy days, tubs of random Legos became the foundation for impromptu building challenges. Each child raced to construct the tallest structure, the coolest spacecraft, or the most intricate fantasy world.
On many occasions, our living room morphed into a fort-building zone. Pro Tip: Big clips were super helpful for them to secure bedsheets to chair backs, and giving them flashlights and lanterns made the experience even more magical.
One glorious summer, the kids on our street overcame boredom by spending weeks building huts in the patch of woods behind us. They devised an intricate system to trade and barter for supplies and assigned jobs (like potter, gatherer, security, and even held an election for mayor) in their forest village.
These moments weren't planned. They emerged organically when the kids had nothing to do. They weren't just filling time; they were solving problems, negotiating rules, collaborating, and exercising creativity.
Help Me, Help You - Turning Household Contributions into Fun and Rewarding Activities to Beat Boredom
Household chores don't have to be the enemy; they can be reframed as engaging and meaningful ways that relieve boredom while contributing to the family and building life skills. When approached creatively, chores teach children responsibility, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment.
Tips for Making Chores an Appealing Choice
• Gamify the Task: Turn chores into games. For example, play upbeat music, set a timer, and challenge your kids to "beat the clock" while tidying up their rooms. Create competitions like "Sock Sorting Olympics" or "Dust Bunny Hunts" to make cleaning entertaining.
• Provide Choices: Give your child options for which chore they'd like to tackle. Having a sense of control makes the task feel less like a punishment.
• Reward Their Efforts: Use a simple reward system, such as stickers or tokens, that kids can exchange for extra money or a special privilege like picking a family movie or choosing what's for dinner.
• Make it Social: Work alongside them! Chores become far less mundane when they feel like teamwork. Use the time to talk, laugh, and bond.
• Let them do special chores to earn extra money or privileges.
By presenting chores as opportunities to contribute, work towards a goal, and have fun, children can begin to see them not as punishments, but as valuable ways to relieve boredom, help, and as an overall beneficial way to fill their time. I'm not saying chores will be their first choice, but at least they become a viable option.
Overcoming the Unease of Letting Your Kids Experience Boredom
For parents, stepping back and allowing children to experience boredom can feel uncomfortable. We're used to being activity directors, orchestrating days packed with structured activities. The shift to a more hands-off approach can be a little uncomfortable, but it's worth it. Here are some tips to ease the transition:
1. Reframe Your Perspective
See boredom as an opportunity rather than a problem. Instead of instantly responding to complaints with activity suggestions, try starting off by saying, "I can't wait to see what you come up with!"
2. Create an Activity Menu
Preemptively collaborate with your child to create a list of fun, open-ended activities they can turn to when boredom strikes. Place it somewhere visible, like the fridge, so they can reference it independently.
3. Limit Screen Time
It's tempting to use screens as a quick fix for boredom. However, passive entertainment doesn't engage creativity or problem-solving. Encourage kids to explore other options first.
4. Model Unstructured Time
Show your kids the value of slowing down by engaging in your own hobbies, like reading, gardening, or crafting. When they see you enjoying unstructured time, they'll mirror your behavior.
5. Set Boundaries
If your child gets overwhelmed by decisions or resists entertaining themselves, try giving them a choice between two or three options. This gentle nudge helps them take some ownership of their boredom without overwhelming them.
6. Celebrate Effort
Acknowledge their creativity when they tackle boredom head-on. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and motivates them to keep pushing boundaries.
It's time to give boredom the credit it deserves. It's not an enemy to be vanquished but a powerful tool for growth. By equipping children with the materials for open-ended play and trusting them to find their own fun, we empower them to develop the skills they need to thrive.
The next time your child says, "I'm bored," pause before jumping in with solutions. Take a deep breath, smile, and remember that in this uncomfortable moment lies the seed of their next great adventure.
Find more summer tips in our blog: 10 Summer Hacks to Keep the Family Fun Going (and Meltdowns at Bay!)
About the Author
Anji Audley is a former teacher and tutor with experience spanning preschool through middle school, bringing a deep understanding of child development and the power of playful, hands-on learning. As a mother of two boys, an artist, a nature lover, and a passionate advocate for learning through play, she thrives on blending creativity, nature, and fun to spark engagement and curiosity in young minds.
With a fondness for both science and ELA, Anji believes in the power of using integrated, multi-sensory learning to create meaningful and accessible educational experiences. She advocates for learning that is engaging, immersive, and filled with wonder.
You can find her hanging with her family and dog, exploring nature, diving into good books, painting, creating, and continuously searching for new ways to educate the whole child.
Resources:
- Breen, Audrey. "Why Boredom Can Be Great for Kids." Phys.org, University of Virginia, 2 July 2024, https://phys.org/news/2024-07-boredom-great-kids.html.
- Richardson, Hannah. "Children Should Be Allowed to Get Bored, Expert Says." BBC News, 23 Mar. 2013, www.bbc.com/news/education-
- Sandi, Mann. "Why Boredom Is Anything but Boring." Scientific American, 2024, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-boredom-is-anything-but-boring/.
- Burton, Neel. "What Does Boredom Do to Us—and for Us?" The New Yorker, 20 March 2020, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-does-boredom-do-to-us-and-for-us.
- University of Virginia. "Boredom Can Be Great for Kids." Curry School of Education and Human Development, 2 July 2024, https://education.virginia.edu/news-stories/boredom-can-be-great-kids.
- ADDitude Editors. "ADHD and Dopamine: What’s the Connection?" ADDitude, 2024, https://add.org/adhd-dopamine/.
- Smith, Sharon Saline. "Why Boredom Feels Unbearable for People with ADHD." Psychology Today, 5 May 2025, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/promoting-empathy-with-your-teen/202505/why-boredom-feels-unbearable-for-people-with-adhd.
- Cherry, Kendra. "ADHD and Body Doubling: How It Works." Simply Psychology, www.simplypsychology.org/adhd-body-doubling.html.
