If you’ve been a parent for more than five minutes during summer break, you’ve probably heard the phrase:
“Mom, I’m bored.”
Maybe you’ve heard it before breakfast. Maybe you’ve heard it while standing in a room overflowing with toys, books, games, and craft supplies. Maybe you’ve heard it 17 times in a single day.
While summer boredom can be frustrating, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, boredom often encourages creativity, problem-solving, and independence. The challenge is helping kids move past boredom without relying on screens all day long.
Here are some practical ways to beat summer boredom at home and help your kids create a summer they’ll actually remember.
Create a Summer Bucket List
One of the easiest ways to avoid boredom is to have a list of activities ready before boredom strikes. Create a summer bucket list with your kids to see what kind of activities they may want to do over the summer. They don’t have to be complicated; simple ideas are sometimes the best ideas. Write them down and let kids choose an activity whenever they start complaining that they’re bored.
Your list might include ideas such as:
- Build a blanket fort
- Have a water balloon fight
- Make homemade popsicles
- Camp out in the backyard
- Learn a magic trick
- Create a scavenger hunt
- Bake cookies together
- Visit a new park
Make a Boredom Jar
Write activity ideas on slips of paper and place them in a jar. When boredom strikes, kids can pull an idea from the jar instead of asking you what to do.
Some ideas could include:
- Draw a comic book
- Build something with LEGO
- Read for 20 minutes
- Create an obstacle course
- Put on a puppet show
- Dance to three songs
- Write a letter to a grandparent
- Help with a household chore
Set Up Daily Theme Days
Kids thrive on routine, even during summer. Try assigning themes to each day to make it more fun. Themes provide structure while keeping summer exciting.
These could include themes like:
Make-It Monday
Crafts, baking, building, or creating.
Try-It Tuesday
Learn something new or attempt a new skill.
Water Wednesday
Sprinklers, water balloons, splash pads, or water tables.
Thoughtful Thursday
Volunteer, write thank-you notes, or do acts of kindness.
Fun Friday
Movie nights, board games, or family adventures.
Encourage Reading Challenges
Reading is one of the best boredom busters available! Books can take your kids on so many adventures to all kinds of places! Many local libraries also offer summer reading programs with prizes and special events, so be sure to check them out.
Create an at-home reading challenge for your children by:
- Setting reading goals
- Offering small rewards when goals are reached
- Visiting the library weekly
- Creating a family reading chart
Give Kids Ownership of Their Time
Sometimes kids feel bored because every activity is planned for them. Try creating a daily choice board where your kids get to choose what they’d like to do. Allowing children to choose helps build independence and responsibility.
Some options for your choice board could include:
- Read
- Draw
- Build
- Play outside
- Help cook
- Complete a puzzle
- Create a game
Keep a Craft Station Ready
You don’t have to be a Pinterest parent to make crafts with your kids. A simple bin filled with paper, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and scissors can provide hours of entertainment. Sometimes all kids need is easy access to supplies and permission to create.
Get Outside
Fresh air can work wonders for boredom, and you don’t need elaborate plans to create memorable moments. There are an endless number of outdoor activities your kids can do with a little imagination!
Simple outdoor ideas include:
- Sidewalk chalk
- Bike rides
- Nature scavenger hunts
- Playing catch
- Gardening
- Bubble blowing
- Backyard picnics
Teach Life Skills
Summer is a great time for kids to learn skills they may not have time for during the school year. There are basic life skills our kids need to know. Teaching them now will help prepare them for the future. In addition, kids often enjoy feeling capable and trusted with real responsibilities.
Consider teaching:
- Cooking
- Laundry
- Gardening
- Basic sewing
- Budgeting
- Pet care
- Home organization
Limit Screens Without Eliminating Them
Screens aren’t the enemy, but unlimited screen time often leads to more boredom, not less. A little structure helps kids rediscover other interests. Consider setting boundaries with screen time like no screens until after outdoor play; choose designated hours to be screen-free; and limit the number of hours of screen time each day.
Let Them Be Bored Sometimes
This may be the hardest tip of all. Not every moment needs to be filled. It’s OK to let your kids be bored.
When children are given the opportunity to sit with boredom, they often discover new interests, invent games, build forts, create stories, and solve problems on their own.
The next time your child says, “I’m bored,” try responding with:
“That’s okay. What do you think you should do about it?”
You may be surprised by what happens next.
Kids don’t need expensive camps, daily outings, or perfectly planned activities to have a wonderful summer. They need opportunities to explore, create, imagine, and sometimes even be bored. So, the next time you hear those famous words—”Mom, I’m bored”—take a deep breath. Summer boredom might just be the beginning of their next great adventure!
