5 Activities for Bored Kids When You’ve Run Out of Ideas

Finding unique activities for bored kids might just be the best thing for your kid’s childhood. Kids need outlets for their unlimited energy, otherwise they grow restless and irritated. This is why it’s important for parents to do their best to enrich their lives beyond sitting them in front of a TV or letting them scroll on their phones. Whether it’s going outdoors or engaging in arts and crafts, keeping your kids engaged in activities is a surefire way to keep them happy. And happy kids create happy homes.

From scavenger hunts to baking projects, we’ve included a range of activities that will help your kids make the most of their free time. We’ll also explain why giving your kids space to be bored is critical so they can use their imaginations and develop problem-solving skills. The next time your kid ever says “I’m bored,” try the following ways to engage your children in enjoyable activities and reduce screen time.

Get Out of the House

Nowadays, our kids are exposed to endless screen time, leading to the need for constant stimulation from digital media. We’ve all seen it in the real world–kids attached to tablets at ages as young as three years old. A study from 2023 reinforced the notion that excessive screen time is detrimental to your kid’s development and can increase the risk of sleep disorders, anxiety, and overall psychological health. This is why it’s crucial for kids to have free time with their phones and tablets facing down. One easy way to do this is by simply going outside and enjoying the fresh air. Kids need to remember that life exists outside of their devices, and an easy way to accomplish this is by nurturing a love for the outdoors and outdoor activities. And they’ll love it even more if their parents actively engage with them in these activities.

Outdoor activities for bored kids:

• Plan a scavenger hunt
• Play hide and seek
• Play Capture the Flag
• Create a backyard obstacle course
• Play frisbee
• Go biking

Be Creative

Brainstorming ideas everyone can enjoy, like sports, games, and art projects, can help refresh their energy and spark a new enthusiasm for something new. Consider putting together a weekly or monthly activity list with your kids. This trick will help get them involved with the process and keep boredom at bay while they search for things they want to try out or experience during their free time. Taking turns choosing activities also allows them to discover new hobbies, sports, or clubs that could lead to new hobbies and interests. You can also create a “bored bin.” Take a large bin, stack several engaging activities such as STEM learning kits, a rock tumbler kit, art supplies, slime-making materials, and board games, label it “BORED BIN,” and stow it away to be used only when your kids say “I’m bored.”

Creative activities for bored kids:

• Make slime
• Create things with Playdough
• Paint mugs and plates
• Make music with household items
• Build a fort
• Draw a self-portrait

Bond with Mom and Dad

The reality is that sometimes kids get bored because their parents are too busy to play with them. Even if you engage in all sorts of outdoor and creative activities, your kid might not be satisfied because all he really wants to do is spend time with you. It’s a heartwarming notion, especially when you remember that these sentiments will likely disappear when he enters his teenage era. Make the most of their childhoods now while they’re still craving your constant presence. While all the activities listed here are great ways to bond with your kids, the following ideas are rooted in quality time and socialization instead of just entertainment.

Bonding activities for bored kids:

• Have a tickle fight
• Choreograph a dance party
• Cook your favorite meals together
• Put on a puppet show about your lives
• Play charades about family members
• Draw each other’s portraits

Put Chores To Good Use

One way to hit two birds with one stone is by combining fun and chores. Sometimes it’s impossible to get kids interested in completing tasks around the house, but doing chores for fun can be a great way for them to stay busy and productive during their free time. Asking them to complete simple tasks, such as sorting laundry or folding clothes, helps instill good habits. Providing incentives such as extra playtime or a night out will encourage kids to complete more small jobs throughout the day, ultimately benefiting both parents and kids. Some kids thrive when we ask them for help or assistance, so here are some ways to engage kids in your household.

Household activities for bored kids:

• Collecting dirty laundry
• Folding clean clothes
• Organizing the snack pantry
• Watering the plants
• Feeding the pets
• Putting away groceries

Give the Gift of Service

Participating in community service events is an excellent way for families to give back while spending quality time together outside their home environment. Volunteering at local shelters or helping out at events can instill compassion in children while teaching them about gratitude and showing them how fortunate they are. This activity will help create shared memories that will last a lifetime, and also ensure that they grow up to be upstanding members of the community.

Community activities for bored kids:

Volunteering at an animal shelter
Socializing with senior citizens
Helping at a food drive
Planting trees
Participating in a food drive
Volunteering at a soup kitchen

In Conclusion

When your children are bored, remember that it’s okay to give them space to explore their imaginations and use their problem-solving skills to develop ways to entertain themselves. In fact, child psychology experts have concluded that boredom can be good for kids because it encourages them to regulate their emotions and manage frustrations. To enable this, parents can provide them with the guidance and resources to figure out how to deal with boredom in healthy way. Whether that’s through outdoor activities, arts and crafts, socializing, doing chores, or helping the community, the activities listed above are all great ways to keep your kids off the screens and engaging in the world around them. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a world of opportunities that will keep your children motivated, energized, and most of all, joyful.