If you’ve ever heard your child (or student) whine, “I’m bored!”, you’re not alone. As parents and teachers, we often feel pressure to fill every moment with structured activities. But what if boredom wasn’t the enemy? What if it was actually a secret ingredient for creativity, problem-solving, and emotional growth?
It turns out, boredom isn’t just a frustrating feeling—it plays an important role in brain development. Research shows that when kids (and adults!) experience boredom, their brains enter what’s known as the default mode network (DMN)—basically, the brain’s “daydreaming” mode. This state helps with creativity, problem-solving, and memory formation (Mason et al., 2007). What’s more, boredom can trigger a release of dopamine (Elpidorou, 2018), the brain’s motivation chemical, which drives curiosity and creativity. Instead of rushing to fix boredom with screens or structured activities, letting kids sit with it might be one of the best things we can do.
What Happens in the Brain When Kids Get Bored?
When kids experience boredom, their brains start looking for something engaging—sparking curiosity, imagination, and deeper thinking. This is why boredom often leads to creativity! Instead of relying on external entertainment, our brains start making their own fun—whether it’s daydreaming, inventing a new game, or thinking up a wild story. For kids, this is essential for developing independence, resilience, and innovative thinking.
Boredom Helps Kids Build Independence & Focus
It’s easy to feel like we have to “fix” boredom for our kids, but in reality, learning to handle boredom is a skill. When kids are always given structured activities or screen time, they miss out on the chance to entertain themselves. Boredom helps kids develop:
- Patience – They learn that not every moment needs instant entertainment.
- Problem-solving skills – Instead of asking, “What can I do?” they figure it out themselves.
- Self-motivation – They start choosing creative or productive activities on their own.
Moreover, giving the brain a break from constant stimulation actually strengthens attention spans over time. A study by Mann & Cadman (2014) found that people who experienced boredom before a task performed better on creativity-based activities.

Boredom Leads to Creativity & Emotional Growth
Ever notice how kids suddenly come up with the best ideas when they don’t have a tablet in front of them? Maybe they turn a cardboard box into a spaceship, invent a new game, or start doodling for fun. That’s because boredom forces them to rely on creative problem-solving rather than external entertainment.
Additionally, learning to sit with boredom instead of constantly avoiding it helps kids manage frustration and develop emotional regulation. They build resilience by facing the discomfort of boredom and coming up with ways to handle it.
How to Encourage “Good” Boredom
So, how do we embrace boredom without chaos erupting in our homes or classrooms? Here are a few simple strategies:
- Resist the urge to entertain – It’s okay if your child doesn’t know what to do for a few minutes. Let them sit with that feeling and see where their imagination takes them.
- Create a “boredom buster” list – Instead of offering solutions right away, have your child brainstorm their own list of creative activities (building, drawing, storytelling, pretend play, etc.).
Check out my Bored BINGO Board and Bored Task Card FREEBIES! - Encourage open-ended play – Simple toys like blocks, art supplies, or dress-up clothes encourage creativity more than toys with a single purpose. Here are some of my favorites:
LEGO Classic Bricks
Magna-Tiles
Dress-Up Clothes for Creative Play - Limit screen time – Too much passive entertainment can dull the brain’s ability to generate ideas on its own. Read this book to help your child understand the need for balance between life and technology.
- Limit Your Dragon’s Screen Time by Steve Herman
- Model boredom – Let kids see you spending quiet time reading, journaling, or just thinking. Show them that not every moment needs to be filled with activity.
Mindful Journal for Kids – This one is more guided for kids that need ideas.
Sensory Journal with Tactile Stimulation – This is the one my son has because he prefers a blank canvas for his creative mind. He loves the sensory elements and often uses this tool as a calming strategy.



These printable PDFs are FREE to subscribers! Subscribe in the sidebar to access the Freebies Page password.
Go-To Independent Activities for Kids When They’re Bored
Boredom isn’t a bad thing—it’s actually an opportunity for kids to tap into their creativity, problem-solving skills, and independence. Instead of constantly providing entertainment, encourage children to engage in activities that allow their brains to explore, create, and grow. Below are some simple, screen-free activities kids can do on their own when boredom strikes. Use my free Bored BINGO Board and laminate or use these Bored Task Cards available for FREE. All the ideas below are on both templates.
- Doodle or Draw – A blank piece of paper and some pencils can turn into a whole world of creativity. Encourage kids to sketch whatever comes to mind or try drawing prompts like “design your dream house” or “create a new animal.”
- Write a Story or Journal Entry – Journaling allows kids to reflect on their thoughts, while writing stories builds imagination and writing skills. Give them fun prompts like, “What would happen if your pet could talk?” or “Invent a new holiday.”
- Build with Blocks or LEGO – Free play with building materials fosters problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and patience. Challenge kids to construct a tall tower, a spaceship, or even a miniature city.
- Solve a Puzzle – Puzzles—whether jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or riddles—engage critical thinking and perseverance. Keep a few around for a quick and independent challenge.
- Try Origami or Paper Folding – Folding paper into different shapes is a great way to develop patience and concentration. Start with simple designs like paper boats or dogs before moving on to more complex creations.
- My son has this paper airplane book. I like it because he can play with what he makes. The active movement incorporated activates a different part of the brain.
- Read a Book or Listen to an Audiobook – Encourage independent reading with a mix of fiction and nonfiction. Audiobooks can also be a great option for kids who enjoy listening to stories while drawing or playing.
- If your kiddo is a reader like mine, I highly suggest a Kindle for a birthday present!
- Check out my post on Family Book Clubs here.
- Practice Mindfulness or Deep Breathing – Boredom can lead to restlessness, so encourage kids to take a moment to relax with breathing exercises, quiet meditation, or simple yoga stretches.
- Create a Mystery Box Challenge – Fill a small box with random household objects and challenge kids to create a story or artwork using only the items inside.
- Play a Memory Game – A simple game of “What’s Missing?” (where one object is removed from a group) or a DIY matching card game strengthens focus and recall skills.
- Invent an Indoor Obstacle Course – Using pillows, chairs, and tape lines, kids can create a movement-based challenge that involves crawling, balancing, and hopping—all while staying indoors.
- We bought, The Floor is Lava, for my sons “parkour” obsession!
He rarely follows the rules in instead creates crazy challenges for himself and his sister using the foam tiles.
- We bought, The Floor is Lava, for my sons “parkour” obsession!
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt – Challenge kids to find household items based on categories like “something round,” “something soft,” or “something older than you.”
- Design a Collage or Vision Board – Using old magazines, colored paper, and glue, kids can create a collage based on themes like “Things I Love” or “My Future Goals.”
- Organize and Sort – Give kids a task like sorting toys by color, arranging books by size, or categorizing buttons by shape—it feels like play while building organization skills.
- Make Up a Secret Code – Encourage kids to create a coded alphabet and write secret messages to decipher later.
- Map Out a New World – Drawing an imaginary island, town, or even an amusement park layout fosters spatial thinking and creativity.
- Create a Comic Strip – With blank comic templates, kids can write and illustrate their own short comic featuring superheroes, animals, or everyday adventures.
- Check out my comic templates available on the Freebies Page.
- Play “I Spy with My Ears” – Instead of looking for things, encourage kids to listen carefully to their surroundings and identify different sounds.
- Try a Coloring Challenge – Instead of coloring inside the lines, challenge kids to make their own patterns, use only three colors, or create a rainbow effect. We keep notebooks and utensils in the car. This is helpful for road trips as well as a tactic to always have an activity no matter where you end up.
- Check out my Mindful Coloring Book on Etsy.
- Make Up a New Game – Ask kids to invent their own board game, card game, or movement-based game and write down the rules to share with others.
- Check out my game board templates on the Freebies Page!
- Write a Letter or Make a Card – Encourage kids to write a letter to a friend, family member, or even their future self. They can also create handmade greeting cards for upcoming occasions.
- Create a Nature Collection – Go outside and gather interesting leaves, rocks, or flowers. Arrange them into a display or try to identify them.
- Make a Shadow Puppet Show – Use a flashlight and cut out paper puppets to put on a shadow show with a story they create.
- Act out a Story – Choose a favorite book or make up your own play. Use props and act it out for family or friends!
- Build a Paper Airplane Fleet – Try different designs and see which one flies the farthest. Add challenges like landing in a target area.
- We love this book of ideas.
By providing kids with a mix of independent activities, you’re not just keeping them entertained—you’re helping them develop essential life skills like patience, focus, and creativity. The next time they say, “I’m bored,” remind them that boredom is the perfect spark for something new!



Final Thoughts: Why Boredom is a Gift
In a world of constant stimulation, boredom gives kids the time they need to think, create, and explore. Instead of rushing to fill every empty moment, let’s give them space to be curious, inventive, and independent thinkers.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, check out these books:
“Bored and Brilliant” by Manoush Zomorodi – A fascinating look at how boredom fuels creativity.
“The Science of Boredom” by Sandi Mann – Explores why we get bored and how it fuels creativity.
“Dopamine Nation” by Dr. Anna Lembke – Explores how modern life overstimulates our dopamine system and how to find balance.
“The Molecule of More” by Daniel Z. Lieberman & Michael E. Long – A deep dive into how dopamine drives curiosity and ambition. (This one is a favorite of mine! The authors were featured on the podcast, Speaking of Psychology, and I was HOOKED!)
“The Art of Screen Time” by Anya Kamenetz – A balanced take on tech use and free play.
“Play: How It Shapes the Brain” by Stuart Brown – Explores the science behind creative play and learning.
Next time your child says, “I’m bored!”, take a deep breath and know that their brain is hard at work—growing, learning, and getting ready for something amazing.
Now that you’ve learned how boredom can be a powerful tool for creativity and growth, we’d love to hear from you!
- Comment below: What’s your favorite boredom-busting activity?
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Let’s keep the conversation going and support each other in making the most of every moment!
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