97 things to do when you're bored

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Few things are more frustrating for a parent or kemhamysophie.comgiver to lớn hear from a child than the dreaded “I’m bored!” Maybe it’s because we know there’s a pile of perfectly good toys in their room just waiting lớn be played with. Or maybe it’s because they’re clearly looking to lớn us to lớn solve the problem for them.

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No parent or kemhamysophie.comgiver wants kids to sit around bored for hours, so what’s the right way to handle the situation? We spoke khổng lồ experts lớn get their thoughts on the best ways to lớn help kids get active and giảm giá with boredom.

First, know that being bored can be good for kids

Experts agree that children today are overscheduled & over-stimulated và recommend parents & kemhamysophie.comgivers view bored kids as an opportunity, rather than a burden. Heidi McBain, a family and play therapist, says boredom is essential for kids because it leads to increased creativity và helps them lớn grow in important ways.

“When a child is bored, they are learning that they need lớn create their own fun và entertainment,” McBain says. “They need to lớn explore their world. They need lớn learn new things on their own.”

When a child is forced khổng lồ come up with their own ways to entertain themselves, it gives them the opportunity lớn look inside and think about their own interests & passions.

Ari Yares, a licensed psychologist and parenting coach, suggests that children who say they’re bored may also simply be looking for parental or adult engagement.

“It’s important to remember that a child saying that they are bored doesn’t really mean that they have run out of fun things to do,” Yares says. “It means that what they see in front of them isn’t stimulating or interesting. It may also be a sign that they just need some adult attention.”

Cuddling for a few moments on the couch with a child may be enough to lớn reset their busy minds and recharge their batteries.

Then, create a ‘Boredom Jar’

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Image via Kitchen Counter Chronicles

A “Boredom Jar” full of fun activity ideas, like this one from Kitchen Counter Chronicles, is one way to lớn get ahead of the boredom trò chơi without completely solving the problem for kids. Work with the child khổng lồ come up with a list of things they like to do. Write each thành phầm down on a slip of paper & put all of the papers in the jar. The next time you’ve got bored kids on your hands, tell them lớn choose a slip from the “Boredom Jar” & let them work on whatever idea they’ve picked.

Here are 30 ideas khổng lồ get you started.

Boredom-busting ideas for active kids

1. Play a thể thao outside

This is such a simple idea, but sometimes kids just need someone lớn put it in their heads. You can make several menu items out of this one — basketball, wiffle ball, soccer or football are just a few options.

2. Wash the car

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Kids love doing tasks that make them feel grown up và accomplished, and this idea fits the bill perfectly. The bonus, of course, is that you get a nice clean oto out of it, too.

3. Go for a xe đạp ride

Depending on the child’s age, a bike ride can be up & down the driveway (with you keeping an eye on them) or around the neighborhood. Older kids with more freedom may even run into neighborhood friends along the way và end up having fun outside for hours.

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4. Vì chưng ‘mindful movement’ videos

Apps like GoNoodle are full of mindful videos that are designed to release pent up energy in kids while helping them learn at the same time. Kids may be familiar with GoNoodle from school, and it’s easy for parents lớn create a family account ahead of time so that kids can use them whenever they need khổng lồ dance their boredom blues away.

5. Play hide-and-seek

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An oldie, but a goodie. This works for families with siblings and can be done inside or outdoors. If they are playing this outside, mix parameters for how far they can go to find a hiding spot.

6. Make a fort

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Image via Raising Paynes/Instagram

Kids love making blanket forts, such as this dễ thương one from Raising Paynes, và it’s a great idea for summer or winter days when you’re all stuck inside. Let them use pillows, blankets & anything else that is hanging around lớn create their own private fort. Bringing in a flashlight & some stories will keep them busy for quite a while.

7. Have a dance party

Create a playlist with kids ahead of time and then put it on when they choose this option. By the time they’re done dancing và singing along to their favorite songs, they’ll be bored kids no more!

8. Make an obstacle course

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Image via Hands on as We Grow

If you have a bored toddler or preschooler on your hands, they will need your help for this, but elementary-aged kids can handle making an obstacle course on their own. Older kids will feel accomplished creating it themselves và will be excited to show you what they’ve done. Looking for inspo? Hands on as We Grow has a simple-yet-challenging obstacle course for the backyard.

9. Clean and re-organize their room

Depending on the kid’s taste, you may hear some groans if they pick this one. If they seem less than excited to tackle it, offer up cleaning the kitchen as an alternative. Odds are they’ll make a beeline for their bedroom và end the day with a clean room that they feel good about.

10. Vị a yoga or fitness class

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There are tons of yoga và fitness classes online that are geared toward kids of all ages. Make a playlist ahead of time so that it’s ready khổng lồ go when they choose this option. Take a look at Cosmic Kids và Kidz Bop for child-friendly đoạn phim options.

11. Go on a Lego hunt

You’ll need four pieces of paper and an assortment of Lego blocks that match in màu sắc for this Lego hunt activity. Start by laying out the four pieces of paper & hiding the Lego blocks somewhere in the home — or have older siblings hide them. Kids must then go find the Lego pieces and place them on the matching colored paper until all of the pieces have been found.

12. Go on a scavenger hunt

Have an older sibling create a scavenger hunt danh mục that younger siblings have lớn find in or outdoors. If you’re playing with an only child or young children, you’ll have to trang điểm the các mục yourself, but it will keep them busy scouring for a good amount of time.

Boredom-busting ideas for kids who love to lớn be creative

13. Write your own story

Put together a box or jar of storytelling prompts ahead of time & tell the child to lớn choose one to lớn use to create their story. Ask them to make a cover picture for the story, as well.

14. Draw murals outside with colored chalk

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Bring out a big box of colored chalk & let them go crazy on the driveway or sidewalk. If you have an elementary school-age kid who likes a challenge, tell them khổng lồ draw you something that tells a story & then have them narrate it for you when they’re done.

15. Put on a play

In this activity, children can create simple plays (depending on their age) & use clothes from around the house khổng lồ put on their show when they’re ready.