Welcome to the Tuesday Toots!
How did kids go from “Yay! Summer break!” to “Ugh, I’m bored,” even after a trip halfway across the world?
When a friend’s son walked in looking glum after an overseas vacation, I was left wondering when he declared “It was boring”.
Boring?! When did holidays, the high point of the vacations of childhood, start to lose their sparkle?
Really needs looking into.
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour.” – TS Elliot
What Kids Really Mean When They Say “I’m Bored”
Often you dismiss boredom as laziness or lack of gratitude, but it’s worth pausing and asking why they feel that way. Here are some likely culprits:
- Too much of the same thing – Repetition dulls the thrill. Activities once exciting can feel stale without newness or variety.
- Overscheduled lives – Structured routines might make parents’ lives easier, but they drain the spontaneity kids need to thrive.
- Tech addiction – Screens hijack attention. Once unplugged, kids often feel lost, their creativity numbed.
- Lack of freedom – Indoor lives with minimal free play means kids don’t get to explore, imagine, or just be.
In fact, Common Sense Media’s 2023 report found that kids average 4–6 hours of screen time daily. That’s a whole lot of passive stimulation, and of boredom when the screen finally goes off.
Boredom = Growth in Disguise?
Before you sign up for another summer workshop or pre-plan every minute of vacation, take a pause and think.
Boredom isn’t the enemy. It’s actually a cry for meaningful engagement, an invitation to let creativity free.
> It sparks creativity – With nothing ready-made, kids invent games, imagine scenarios, and build new worlds in their minds.
> It builds resilience – When there’s nothing to do, they learn to tolerate quiet moments and problem-solve their way out.
> It promotes independence – Instead of waiting to be entertained, kids begin to entertain themselves.
During a cyclone-induced power outage that lasted ten days, the neighbourhood kids in our lane invented treasure hunts, wild games of tag, and endless rounds of hide-and-seek. Even when the power came back, they continued with their new routine. They rediscovered the joys of playing together and building relations.
They had discovered something no screen could offer: joy from within.
Ideas to Tame the “I’m Bored” Blues
Next time you hear a heavy sigh or see the dramatic flop on the sofa, try nudging them toward these boredom-busting, brain-boosting activities:
- Art projects – Try clay modelling, painting with unusual tools, or junk art.
- Pretend play – Set up a pretend space station, café, or clinic.
- DIY science – Volcano eruptions, slime, or growing sugar crystals.
- Puzzles & games – Board games, crosswords, riddles, or Sudoku.
- New skills – Cooking, sewing, coding, photography… let them pick!
- Journaling or blogging – Encourage them to write, share stories, or reflect.
- Scavenger hunts – Create themed ones—museum-based, nature-inspired, or even historical quests.
Each activity has the power to unlock curiosity, patience, and hidden talents, all while your child thinks they’re just “passing the time.”
Final Thoughts: Ditch the Busy Plans
If you’re already scrolling through summer camps, trying to keep your kids busy 24/7, take a pause.
Instead, give them space to get bored. Let them explore the garden. Lie on the floor. Daydream. Play outside. Fall down. Get up again.
That “boring” moment? It’s where growth sneaks in quietly.
Trust me, it’s in those blank hours that kids begin to discover who they are, and what they’re capable of creating.
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Until next time, let things get a little boring.
