Things To Do When Your Child Says “I’m Bored”

17 Things To Do When Your Child Says “I’m Bored”

ByJennifer Jones

Have you ever been in a situation where your child comes to you in the middle of the day saying, “Mommy, I’m bored!” Although we all experience boredom from time to time, when you’re little one regularly complains about boredom it can lead to restlessness or even destructive behavior. If you are fresh out of ideas on how to keep your child busy when they complain of boredom, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll highlight 17 things to do when your child says “I’m bored”.

Table of Contents

What does it mean when a child says they’re bored

If a child says they are bored, it can signify that they need more stimulation or engagement in their life.

Boredom is a feeling of being uninterested, restless, or frustrated from being inactive. It’s not just something kids experience—adults get bored too!

When children feel bored, they may misbehave or get into trouble because they don’t know how to deal with their boredom. They may also become withdrawn or act aggressively when tired or uninterested in what’s happening around them.

How to respond to a child who says they’re bored

 When a child says they are bored, it’s important to remember that they’re not just saying it to complain—they’re trying to communicate that something is wrong.

The first step in addressing boredom is to listen carefully, ask questions about why the child feels bored and what might help them to feel better, and then offer options for how you can fix it together.

If your child has access to screens (phones or tablets), giving them those as an immediate solution may be tempting. But while giving them a phone may work for a little while, varying the activities that they do can teach them how to properly channel their energy and help them as they grow older.

Without further ado, here are 17 things to do with your kid when they complain about boredom…

Create a scrapbook

Creating a book to record your child’s life is a wonderful way to keep track of all the wonderful things that happen to them as they develop. A scrapbook is an excellent keepsake that your children will love creating and will appreciate for years to come. Plus, they can continue to work on it whenever a bout of boredom strikes.

Puzzles

 Puzzles are a great way to make your child happy. They can be as simple as a jigsaw puzzle or as complicated as a Rubik’s Cube. Puzzles are great for all ages and help children learn problem-solving skills, which are essential for their development.

The best part about puzzles is that you can do them together! This is an excellent opportunity for you and your child to bond over something fun while also learning new things and strengthening your relationship.

Coloring books

Drawing and coloring books are a great way to let your kids express themselves creatively and release some of their energy. It’s also fun for them to spend time with you, which should make them feel better about being stuck inside!

If you don’t have any unused coloring books at home, you can print your free coloring pages from Awesome Coloring Pages or find more on Pinterest.

Let them bake with you

Baking is a great way to bond with your child and show them that they are loved while also giving them a chance to learn something new. Let them help make the dough, roll it out, and sprinkle the sugar on top. They’ll love getting their hands in there and learning about how things work!

Read, read, read

Reading allows children’s imaginations to run wild, and it allows them to learn about other people and places. Reading is also an excellent way for children to spend time with their parents, which builds strong bonds with loved ones.

Reading together can be fun, educational, and even help develop language skills in children who aren’t yet able to read themselves.

Help you with some household chores

 You can help your child be happy by doing household chores with them, such as folding laundry, sweeping the floor, or washing dishes. This will give them a sense of accomplishment and make them feel more grown up.

Family movie time

Nothing can make a child happier than spending time with their parents, especially if it’s doing something fun and relaxing like watching a movie. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and helps your child feel less bored. You can watch any movie you want—just make sure it’s age-appropriate! If you’re looking for a great movie to watch with your little one, check out our list of the best Disney movies for toddlers.

Create an obstacle course

The best part about this is that you can make it as simple or complicated as you want. You can use the furniture in your house or set up obstacles outside with things like cardboard boxes and blankets.

The goal is to get your child moving around and engaged. They’ll be having fun, but they’ll also stay active and learn about how their bodies work in different situations.

Go to the beach

 If your child is bored, try taking them to the beach. The ocean is full of fun things to play with, like sand and shells. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even take a walk through the waves!

A beach is also an excellent place for children to get exercise. And who knows? Maybe if your child gets enough exercise on the beach, she’ll be so happy that she won’t even be bored anymore!

Volunteer together

If your child is bored, they’re probably looking for something to do that’s also meaningful. You can help them out by volunteering together! It can be as simple as donating canned goods at a food bank, or it could mean helping out with a community garden or other project. If you have time and the inclination, consider reaching out to your local parks and recreation department to see if there are any volunteer opportunities that interest you both.

Garden together

Gardening is an activity that allows children to get their hands dirty and be creative. It also gives them something to do—and if you’re lucky, it’ll even give you something to do as well. Once you’ve planted some seeds, it’ll be easy for both of you to sit back and watch them grow.

Try a science experiment

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your little one entertained (and learning), try setting up a science experiment in your backyard or inside the house. If you do it outside, it might be best to have an adult around at all times to ensure safety.

Here are some science experiment ideas:

  • Make a rainbow (use food coloring)
  • Make a volcano out of vinegar and baking soda
  • Make slime out of borax, glue, and food coloring

Make homemade ice cream

Make your own ice cream at home. It’s easy and fun. Plus, you can add any number of ingredients to make your homemade treat even more special. 

Here are some ideas:

  • Add a little bit of chocolate syrup to make chocolate mint ice cream
  • Sprinkle some M&Ms on top to make rocky road ice cream
  • Add a few drops of peppermint extract for mint chip ice cream

Get Crafty

Getting crafty together is the best way to make a bored child happy. It will keep them entertained for hours, and you’ll have a new piece of art that you can hang up in your house or give as a gift. 

Here are some ideas:

  • Make paper airplanes and fly them outside
  • Doing origamis

Play games together

If you have a child having trouble focusing, try playing a game with them that requires active engagement. For example, if your child loves games like Fortnite or Minecraft, then go ahead and pick up the controller yourself! You’ll both have fun, and it will help them focus.

Another great option is board games. While many board games available today are designed specifically for families with children, there are also many older board games that can be just as fun for kids! Try going through some old boxes in your closet and see what treasures you find!

Sign up for martial arts school

Martial arts is a fun way for kids to learn self-discipline, focus, and respect. It also teaches them how to use their bodies in ways they never thought possible. Martial arts is also a great way for children to make friends with other kids with similar interests.

As a parent, you’ll love watching your child’s confidence grow as they learn new skills and becomes more comfortable trying new things.

Learn an instrument

If your child is bored, try teaching them how to play a musical instrument. Music is one of the essential elements in life. It helps you stay calm, relaxed, and focused. It can also help children develop better social skills and communication skills.

Go for a walk

This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a bored child happy. It’s also enjoyable!

You can walk anywhere—the park, your neighborhood, or even down the street. If you have access to a yard, you can even take them out there and let them run around! 

Take Aways

The good news is that there are strategies you can use to counter boredom, even when they are still young. In other words, most of these ideas can be used sooner than you might think. 

Some activities will develop your child’s social skills, while others will help them understand the fundamentals of science, art, physics, and more. 

Even better, getting your kids involved in these fun and educational activities will provide them with a sense of freedom and open their minds to the world around them.

Jennifer Jones

Jennifer Jones is a work-from-home mom of 2. She's a bookkeeper by day, a blogger by night, and a mom at all times. She writes about important resources, ideas, and tips for single moms at happysinglemommy.com.

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