Does it feel like you spend every waking moment trying to keep your kids entertained? If your kids are anything like mine, you’ll hear “I’m bored” at least a few times a day… then you hit them with the classic – “Hi bored, I’M DAD!” 😄

But seriously, between playdates, screen time, extracurriculars, and more, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being your child’s full-time entertainment manager.

But what if boredom is actually a good thing for them?

In this post, we’ll explore why letting your children get bored is one of the best gifts you can give them – and how it can help them develop into creative, independent, and resilient individuals. We’ll also look at the psychology behind boredom, backed by real-life anecdotes, to see why boredom is beneficial for kids in ways that constant entertainment simply isn’t.

Why Kids Need to Get Bored

Boredom Breeds Creativity

When kids are bored, they’re forced to use their imaginations. Without constant stimulation, they come up with their own games, stories, and activities – often leading to amazing creativity. Psychologists have found that boredom can spark divergent thinking, which is the key to creativity.

Dr. Sandi Mann, a psychologist at the University of Central Lancashire, states that boredom can act as a trigger for creativity (Journal of Creative Behaviour), pushing children to seek stimulation through their own imagination. In one study conducted by Dr. Mann, participants who engaged in a boring task showed increased creativity in subsequent activities compared to those who were not bored.

So letting boredom get the better of them can be beneficial!

Learning Problem-Solving Skills

When your child faces boredom, they learn to find ways to entertain themselves, which is a fundamental life skill.

My 5-year-old daughter is going through the “there’s nothing to do / I’m bored'” phase at the moment – where I used to pander to this behaviour, I’ve learned to let her take control of her actions. It only takes her a few minutes to gather her arts and crafts supplies and create something new.

Boredom gives children a chance to build autonomy by making their own decisions on how to spend their time. As another example, my youngest daughter and son got bored last summer, after asking me what they should do.

I told them to work something out together (I had to mow the lawn – yay). They ended up constructing an obstacle course in the garden using random objects as well as the slides etc – something I wouldn’t have thought to suggest myself!

Building Resilience

Life isn’t always entertaining (don’t we know it). Allowing children to experience and cope with boredom teaches them to handle downtime and discomfort without feeling stressed or anxious.

While my children struggle with varying levels of neurodiversity, and ‘tablet time’ can be an instant dopamine fix, removing access to tech often results in them grabbing arts and crafts or building blocks.

Different children may react differently to removal of “easy comfort” and these strategies need to be adapted based on your child’s needs.

Experts suggest that learning to tolerate boredom builds emotional resilience, something that is crucial for navigating life’s challenges. Dr. Teresa Belton, a researcher on childhood development, emphasizes that children need to face boredom to develop intrinsic motivation and self-reliance (BBC News).

The Dangers of Over-Entertaining

Dependency on External Entertainment

Constant entertainment can create kids who are reliant on external stimuli – whether it’s screens, parents, or structured activities – to be happy or occupied.

For example, a child who is constantly handed a tablet during every car ride or while waiting at a restaurant may struggle to cope without it, becoming anxious or frustrated when they have to wait without digital entertainment.

You may have seen some children “meltdown” in public places when tabbies are taken away. This dependency can hinder their ability to be self-sufficient and to develop intrinsic motivation.

Reduced Attention Span

Endless stimulation can lead to shorter attention spans. Something particularly prevelant in children with ADHD and neurodiversity. Kids may struggle to focus on any one thing when they grow accustomed to constant variety and excitement.

Boredom, on the other hand, encourages sustained focus on one task or activity.

I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of a doom-scroll binge or two. But I’ve learned to leave my tech to the side when interacting with my children, because they learn from us, and I don’t want to raise my children as mindless zombies, who can’t function without a phone in their hand.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Sciences found that children who spent more time engaging in unstructured (ScienceDirect), boredom-inducing activities demonstrated improved attention spans compared to those who were continuously entertained.

The study noted that children who were given time without structured activities learned to focus on self-directed tasks for longer periods, enhancing their ability to sustain attention.

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Over-scheduled lives can cause children to feel stressed and pressured. Sometimes, the greatest joy comes from the simplest, unplanned activities. When every moment is scheduled, children miss out on the spontaneous joys of childhood, which can be the most memorable.

For example, an afternoon of unplanned play in the park can sometimes lead to the best adventures – something that just doesn’t happen with an overly packed schedule. Conversely, those with neurodiversities can struggle with unplanned outings. I find it challenging to get the balance right for my children.

While it’s easy to just stay at home, finding the right balance for all my kids – though tricky – is ultimately worthwhile.

Providing flexibility in how each child approaches boredom ensures that they can have the best possible experience without feeling overwhelmed.

I don’t always get it right, but parenting isn’t about being perfect right?

How to Encourage Healthy Boredom

I’m listening, I hear you say. So what can I do for my children to help them on their boredom journey!?

I’m glad you asked! Here’s a few helpful tips to help your kids on their new and exciting journey to boredom.

Limit Screen Time

Set daily screen time limits to encourage your kids to use their free time for other activities. I know this is easier said than done, and there’s nothing wrong with letting your kids have tech, but do set boundaries, especially with younger children.

Otherwise it’s too easy for the kids to get sucked into day long tech binges. I’ve gone over this in more detail The Pros and Cons of Screen Time for Kids: Raising Children in a Digital Age

Alternate activities include:

• Reading
• Drawing
• Simply daydreaming
• Planning / Jotting / Scrapbooking

Reducing reliance on screens creates a space for creativity and independent thinking.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 6 years and older should have consistent limits on the time spent using media, ensuring they have plenty of time for sleep, physical activity, and other healthy behaviors (AAP Guidelines).

There have also been a lot of studies linking increased ADHD symptoms in children who have excessive screen time (Enlightened Minds).

If you’re struggling for ideas, especially for your older children, then head over to our post on Fun Activities for Your Teenager That Aren’t All Technology-Based.

Create an Unstructured Environment

Simply having the toys or equipment in place for your child to do with what they will can inspire young minds. We home educate our children, so we have an abundance of craft supplies and sensory / building toys at our disposal.

These are always out for the taking, and more often than not, simply saying “magna tiles” will get the kids rushing for the boxes!

If you’re struggling for ideas, provide an environment rich in:

• Art supplies
• Building blocks
• Physical activities (climbing walls / trampolines / door gyms)

The idea behind this is to let them come up with activities without you steering the ship and to help encourage them to experiment and make decisions on their own.

Last week, we were decorating and doing halloween craft but once the lesson was over, I left out some cardboard boxes, tape, markers, polystyrene, and plastic “nails” – and within an hour, my 3rd and 4th children had built a fort and a polystyrene boats (they also snuck upstairs to fill the bath to watch them float).

Granted it was an absolute pain to clean up the polystyrene, but it was amazing to see what they had come up with when left to their own intuition.

Encourage Outdoor Play

Studies show that nature encourages imaginative play, which is a perfect antidote to boredom.

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• Allow your child to explore the garden, park, or backyard without any planned activities.
• Encourage unstructured outdoor play to foster imagination.

Studies show that nature encourages imaginative play, which is a perfect antidote to boredom.

A 2021 study published in Nature Play & Child Development found that children who spent more time in natural environments exhibited greater creativity and problem-solving abilities compared to their peers who had less exposure to nature.

I remember being outside most days as a child (I was so desperate to be a footballer, but weren’t we all back then?) – my children are less inclined to go outside as a default choice when given the option of their tablet, but when it’s not available to them, one of their first instinct is to get in the garden.

Real-Life Examples of Boredom Leading to Great Things

Famous Innovators

Many well-known creative minds attribute their success to boredom.

• Steve Jobs often spoke about how his times of boredom led to his best ideas.
• Albert Einstein also valued idle time, believing it led to some of his most significant insights.
• One famous story involves Sir Isaac Newton, who developed his theory of gravity while sitting idly under an apple tree.

As a parenting blogger, I’ve come to value boredom through both my research and personal experiences with my own children, seeing first-hand how it can lead to unexpected creativity and growth.

When your child faces downtime, who knows what genius idea might be brewing?

I find it so sad, watching them stare off at their tech for hours on end, missing the world around them. Sure there’s a time and place for zoning out, but watching it day after day genuinely breaks my heart.

Parents’ Stories

We’d love to hear from you! Do you have any anecdotes about the surprising outcomes of letting your kids get bored – like building elaborate forts, creating art, or coming up with their own games?

Have you noticed specific ways in which boredom has benefited your children? I’d love for other parents to share their experiences to help add additional perspectives to the conversation and inspire other parents.

*Yawn* In Conclusion

Boredom isn’t the enemy; it’s an opportunity for growth. By stepping back and letting your kids experience boredom, you’re giving them the space to be creative, build resilience, and learn to entertain themselves.

There is a caveat to this tale (isn’t there always?) – it’s important to acknowledge that different families may experience varying outcomes when allowing boredom, as every child is unique and may respond differently.

For more insights into raising creative, independent kids with neurodiversities, check out our Home Education Tips & Resources for Children with ASD & ADHD.

The next time your child says, “I’m bored,” consider it a sign that they’re on the brink of discovering something amazing. You don’t have to be their full-time entertainer – sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply let them be.

Do you let your kids get bored? Have you noticed any benefits or challenges in doing so? Share your stories in the comments – we’d love to hear how boredom has sparked creativity or independence in your home!