Things to Do When Kids Are Bored That Work!

Why Boredom Can Be Good for Kids

It is tempting to fix boredom the second it appears. But a little empty time is not a problem to solve. It is often where children start inventing their own games.

When nothing is planned, kids have to decide what to do, find materials, make up rules and keep going when an idea flops. Those are the same planning, focus and self-control skills that the Harvard Center on the Developing Child describes as executive function, and its activity guide suggests plenty of simple games and pretend play to practise them.

So the aim is not to have a list of things to do when kids are bored for every single minute. It is to have a few easy options ready, and then step back. Our guide to independent play activities that actually stick shows how to help kids play on their own for longer.

A 3-Step Plan for the Next "I'm Bored"

Use this when the boredom jar is not handy or your child is too tired to choose.

12 Rainy-Day Things to Do When Kids Are Bored Indoors

These are extra ideas you will not find in the big list above. Most use things you already have at home.

• Tape road: make roads on the floor with painter's tape for toy cars and animals.
• Bottle bowling: line up empty plastic bottles and roll a soft ball.
• Pretend shop: set out food packets, draw price tags and take turns being the shopkeeper.
• Shadow puppets: a flashlight, a wall and your hands are all you need.
• Toy car wash: a tub of soapy water, an old toothbrush and plastic toys (supervise water play).
• Letter hunt: find something in the house for each letter of your child's name.
• Paper plate masks: cut eye holes, then decorate as animals or superheroes.
• Treasure map: hide a toy and draw a simple map for your child to follow.
• Sticker stories: stick a few stickers on paper and make up a story that links them.
• Pillow island: the floor is "lava", so kids cross the room on cushions.
• Mini restaurant: kids write a menu, take orders and serve snacks.
• Coloring corner: set up a quiet spot with crayons and a few fresh coloring pages.

Safety first: keep small items such as buttons, beads, balloons and bottle caps away from children under 3, and stay close during water and craft play.

Things to Do When Kids Are Bored in the Car or While Waiting

Long drives, queues and waiting rooms are classic boredom traps. No-prep word and looking games work almost anywhere:

• Alphabet spotting: find each letter of the alphabet on signs, in order.
• 20 questions: one person thinks of an animal; everyone else asks yes-or-no questions.
• Story chain: each person adds one sentence to a silly story.
• Color count: count red cars, or anything yellow, until the next stop.
• Would you rather: "Would you rather have wings or a tail?" Kids love inventing their own.

For restaurants and appointments, pick quieter games like drawing a picture together one line at a time, or a whispered round of "I'm thinking of something green". Keeping a few of these in your back pocket gives you fast things to do when kids are bored and there is nowhere to run around.

A small "waiting bag" with a notebook, a few crayons and a coloring page or two means you are never caught empty-handed.

More Questions Parents Ask About Bored Kids