“Mom, I’m bored!”

Isn’t that one of the most annoying sentences in the world? We know our kids have plenty of toys that they enjoy. Many kids have siblings or even neighbors and friends to play with. So how can they possibly be bored? What can you do to help them play independently without relying on electronics?

You’re in luck, because we have some ideas!

5 Fun Boredom Busters

The next time your kiddos need something to occupy them, try these:

1. Ice Cube Shapes: Playing with ice cubes can be a fun sensory experience, especially on a hot day! Amazon has dozens of options for ice cube trays with fun shapes that kids will love (this set of three is only $8!). Kids can play with the ice cubes in the bathtub or in an empty bin. And, even if they get the floor a little wet, at least it’s only water! This activity does take some prep work, as you have to freeze the water (duh!), but if you have room in your freezer to keep the trays refilled all the time, you can easily pull them out when needed. Pro tip: Mix in food coloring to give your ice cubes different colors!
2. Puffball Cardboard Marble Run: This activity is fun making and using! Take a sheet of cardboard (can be cut from the side of a box) and glue toilet paper and paper towel rolls onto it at different heights and angles (hot glue is recommended for quick drying, which may require some adult supervision). Once it’s dry, slide puffballs (a great sensory item that is often less dangerous than marbles) down the tubes and watch them go! If your kids are engineer-minded (as in, they like Legos, Magnatiles, building things, fixing things, etc.), they could play with this for hours! Pro tip: Puffballs make great bathtime toys.
3. Balloon Punching: This is a great activity for kids who need to get some energy out on a rainy day. Simply blow up balloons, tie on long strings, and hang them from the ceiling with tape. Let your kids go at them! Pro tip: If your kids are Bluey fans and you have a hard time getting them to turn off the television, simply show them how to play Keepy-Uppy like the Heelers!
4. Streamer Obstacle Course: This is pretty easy to set up. Simply tape streamers across a hallway at various angles and heights so that kids have to crawl and hop over them. If the streamers rip, show the kids how to tape them back themselves and encourage them to build their own course! This is another great energy-burning game with lots of room for creative story-telling (think booby traps, jewel heists, cursed temples – anything Indiana Jones would do). Pro tip: You could combine streamers and balloons to make an easy indoor volleyball game! Tape the streamers across the hallway to act as the net and use the balloon as the ball! Easy peasy!
5. Foam Painting: Kids can get bored with regular water color paints, but with a little ingenuity, they can find joy in art again! Try mixing food coloring with a foam base. You could try whipped cream for something edible, or shaving cream for a bathtime activity. The new sensory element – the foam – can change everything in their minds. What once was dull is now exciting! Pro tip: This is a good time to practice letting them be messy. If they are in play clothes and in a spot that is easily washable (like the bathtub or outside), let them have fun without reminding them to be clean. Simply hose them, and the artwork, off when everyone is done.

Boredom Isn’t Bad

It’s important to remember that boredom isn’t inherently bad. According to the Child Mind Institute, “Kids often complain about being bored. But boredom can actually help them develop skills, creativity, and self-esteem. Both little kids and older ones often need some help coming up with things to do with unstructured time. But once you’ve got them going, they can take the boredom ball and run with it.”

The article, The Benefits of Boredom, also says:

Boredom also helps children develop planning strategies, problem-solving skills, flexibility and organizational skills — key abilities that children whose lives are usually highly structured may lack, adds Jodi Musoff, MA, MEd, an educational specialist at the Child Mind Institute.

It’s not the boredom itself that helps children acquire these skills — it’s what they do with the boredom. “Typically, kids don’t plan their days, but when they work on a project to fill their time, they have to create a plan, organize their materials, and solve problems,” Musoff explains. “Developing these skills helps children better manage a variety of academic tasks, such as planning for long term assignments, and flexibility when working on group projects and social skills.”

Additionally, boredom fosters creativity, self-esteem, and original thinking. “The key is to help kids learn how to manage their boredom so they can develop independence and feel agency over their own happiness and well-being,” Dr. Lee advises.

When you’re helping your kids work through boredom, remember to be patient. Keep their interests in mind. Have sensory objects on hand and let your kids figure out what to do with them. Don’t jump in to “fix” crafts or games if they aren’t “playing right” – just let them run with it (unless someone is getting hurt or a destructive mess is about to happen). Embrace the trial-and-error method. Over time, they’ll get into a groove and learn how to entertain themselves with their own imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

In truth, your allowance of boredom will help them shape their personalities, educations, and futures! There is so much for them to discover and learn when they are bored!