"I’m Bored, Mom!" Here’s What to Say (And 10 Fun Things They Can Do Instead) |Creative Family HD Photographer
Bored, bored, bored.
Do you hear “I’m boooored” every five minutes during school break or on the weekend? 😅
Yeah, me too. Sigh.
When my kids say they're bored, I tell them to clean their room, mow the lawn, pull weeds, or I can figure something else out.
It’s funny how quickly they find something to do. And, yes, sometimes it involves watching a movie.
I’m a firm believer in kids needing to feel bored. It helps them learn to explore, reflect on thoughts, and get creative. I think it’s great for self-confidence, too; learning to be at peace when you’re alone.
Many parents think the easiest thing to do is to hand them a screen.
But what if boredom wasn’t a problem... What if it was actually good for them?
Seriously! Boredom gives kids the space to imagine, create, and think for themselves.
So instead of fighting it, let’s explore it.
These 10 screen-free activities are super fun, even your big kids will want to do them (without you begging and pleading).
Fill a jar with popsicle sticks with ideas.
1. Make a Boredom Jar
Take a jar and fill it with popsicle sticks. On each one, write something fun to do—like “make a card for grandma,” “build a fort,” or “draw a cartoon comic strip.” When kids say “I’m bored,” they can pull out an idea! This helps kids learn how to solve their boredom (which is a good thing!).
Tip: Let bigger kids help write the ideas. That way, they’re more likely to actually want to do them.
We live in Southern California, and our power goes out often because… who knows why. I also live in a house of gamers. So, when the power goes out, the kids all come out of the woodwork looking for advice on what to do.
We’ll pull out snacks– chips, granola bars, store-bought cookies, etc. Then, search the game cabinet. We’ll pull out a few games and have hours of fun. My kids are older now, so gone are the days of forts, dolls, and Legos.
We play Uno– every man for themselves, The Game of Life, Apples to Apples, and yes, even Monopoly. It’s always fun, and as a mom, I get to spend time with my teens– a rarity these days.
Tire swing.
2. Backyard Photo Challenge
Give your little ones a camera or old phone (in airplane mode) and tell them to take 10 cool photos outside.
You can give them a theme like “colorful things,” “weird shadows,” or “stuff that looks like a face.” This helps them notice little details and be creative.
Bigger kids will have fun doing this too, and can use their phone.
3. DIY Obstacle Course
Use things from around the house or yard to make an obstacle course!
Jump over piles of blankets, crawl under kitchen chairs, and toss water balloons into a bucket. They’ll use their body and their brain to figure it out.
Tip: Let big kids build it and time each other. Little kids can go slower or help decorate the “course.”
We’ve done something similar in the summer when the boredom bus hits.
Race on a double slip ‘n slide, run through a silly sprinkler, jump in a tiny kiddie pool and pick up plastic floating things, toss a water balloon into a bucket, and end with drinking a small cup of juice (or water).
Take a walk around the neighborhood to see what you find.
4. Neighborhood Mystery Walk
This is like a made-up scavenger hunt.
You start a story like, “A squirrel lost his golden acorn…” and they have to go find “clues” on a walk—like a shiny rock or a stick that looks like a key. This helps kids build stories and use imagination outside. Cute, right?
Tip: Big kids can make the mystery and lead the walk for younger siblings!
Sewing clips and pins.
5. Mini Makerspace
Fill a box with random craft stuff—like cardboard, ribbon, pipe cleaners, washi tape, buttons, and paper. Give them a challenge: build an alien spaceship, a wacky robot, or a new kind of hat. Let them make it however they want! This builds creativity and problem-solving skills.
Tip: Make sure your kids know the box can only survive for 72 hours, so you don’t have a permanent fixture in your living room for weeks!
6. Build a Backyard Café
Let your kids turn the porch, dining area, or living room into a café. They make a menu, decorate a table, and serve snacks (like apples, cheese sticks, and crackers). This teaches planning, writing skills, and kindness all at once.
Tip: Older kids can make simple snacks. Younger ones can color menus and be the “waiters.”
This could also be in the form of a tea party–my favorite theme, with fancy hats.
You get to sit back and wait to be served. Win-win in my book!
Fun ice cubes.
7. Ice Cube Excavation Challenge
Freeze small toys or tiny treasures in a big bowl of water.
Once it’s frozen, give kids tools to chip away [like warm water, wooden spoons, or toy plastic hammers].
It feels like a treasure hunt and keeps them busy for a long time!
Tip: Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to the water before freezing to make it even cooler! Beware, food coloring stains.
8. Cook Without Recipes
Challenge your kids to invent a snack using 5 ingredients or less. They can mix things like crackers, cream cheese, and BBQ sauce—or make a new kind of sandwich. It teaches independence and kitchen confidence.
Tip: Set out a few safe ingredients and let them surprise you. Judging their “dish” is half the fun.
We love cheddar cheese on an apple slice. Cream cheese on celery with Craisins. And, peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwiches.
9. Design Your Own Board Game
Give kids paper, markers, dice, and let them invent a brand-new board game.
They make the rules, draw the board, and even create game pieces. It’s a brain workout and a blast.
Tip: Take a video of them explaining how to play. It’s adorable and helpful if you forget later.
10. Invent-a-Holiday Day
Let each kid create their own holiday [think “Yes Day” vibes]
They get to name it, choose a special food, pick the activity, and make decorations. Don’t forget to tell them to pick an actual date— month, and day.
Then, be sure to celebrate it on the day.
Alice in Wonderland, Theme Day.
So the next time your kid says, “I’m bored,” it means their brain is ready to play, imagine, and explore something new.
These screen-free activities help your kids grow, channel some creativity, and feel proud of what they accomplish on their own.
You don’t need fancy stuff or hours of planning. Just pick one and try it!
I hope reading “I’m Bored, Mom!” Here’s What to Say (And 10 Fun Things They Can Do Instead) |Creative Family HD Photographer has given you lots of exciting boredom-busting ideas! If you’re still looking for an HD Family Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of Creative images.
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Cheers and happy creating!
Annette
