Few things are more frustrating for a parent or caregiver to 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 to be played with. Or maybe it’s because they’re clearly looking to us to solve the problem for them. No parent or caregiver wants kids to sit around bored for hours, so what’s the right way to handle the situation? We spoke to experts to get their thoughts on the best ways to help kids get active and deal with boredom.
Play a sport outside
This is such a simple idea, but sometimes kids just need someone to put it in their heads. You can make several list items out of this one — basketball, whiffle ball, soccer, or football are just a few options.
Wash the car
Kids love doing tasks that make them feel grown-up and accomplished, and this idea fits the bill perfectly. The bonus, of course, is that you get a nice clean car out of it, too.
Go for a bike ride
Depending on the child’s age, a bike ride can be up and 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 and end up having fun outside for hours.
Play hide-and-seek
An oldie, but a goodie. This works for families with siblings and can be done inside or outdoors. If they are playing this outside, set parameters for how far they can go to find a hiding spot.
Make a fort
Kids love making blanket forts and it’s a great idea for summer or winter days when you’re all stuck inside. Let them use pillows, blankets, and anything else that is hanging around to create their own private fort. Bringing in a flashlight and some stories will keep them busy for quite a while.
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 and singing along to their favorite songs, they’ll be bored kids no more!
Make an obstacle course
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 and will be excited to show you what they’ve done.
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 and end the day with a clean room that they feel good about.
Do a yoga or fitness class
There are tons of yoga and fitness classes online that are geared toward kids of all ages. Make a playlist ahead of time so that it’s ready to go when they choose this option.
Go on a Lego hunt
You’ll need four pieces of paper and an assortment of Lego blocks that match in color for this Lego hunt activity. Start by laying out the four pieces of paper and 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.