When your child complains of boredom, it's not a lack of ideas, but rather a need for skills, resources, confidence, and clear play boundaries. No matter how many toys you buy or ideas you gather, without clarity on who's responsible for directing your child's play, you'll keep hearing, 'I'm bored.'``

When your child comes to you and says, “I’m Bored”

TRY THIS:

``You are? Hmmm...I wonder what you'll come up with.``

``What did you do yesterday when you were bored? Do you want to do that again or will you think of something different?``

``It's ok for you to feel bored. You might feel unsure, but I know for sure that it's ok for kids to feel bored.

AVOID THIS:

``You are? Oh no! I'll stop what I'm doing to make you a snack and read to you.``

``Let's do something right now so you don't have to be bored. We'll go to the zoo, then to the store, and then we can go visit Grandma.``

“It’s my job to entertain my child. If they are bored, it is my fault.”

Challenge:
Take a few moments to think about how you feel when your child complains of boredom. What is your typical response? Does it support your child in taking the next step independently or does it put you back in charge of their play?

Here are some ways to support your child in going from “I’m Bored” to “I’m Playing!”

Your child does not need a fancy playroom filled with wooden toys in order to play independently, but there are a few things you can do to encourage independent play:

Consider this: Are your child’s toys reflective of who they are or are they a random collection of toys, gifts and books amassed over time? Try weeding out a few things that you know your child loves and make sure those items are front and center.
Consider this: Does your child have access to basic art supplies? Put some paper, crayons, stickers and masking tape down low and allow your child free access to create.

Try this: Bring some favorite toys into the main living spaces of your home. Kids want to be where we are. Leave a partially done puzzle on the kitchen table or a hunk of playdough and some figurines on the kitchen counter.

Remember, it is not your job to entertain your child, but it is your job to support their play!

Mirrors let children see themselves, which helps them become more self-aware and understand their physical presence. Kids get curious about how reflections work, leading to fun experiments with symmetry, angles, and perspectives. Plus, mirrors encourage social interaction; kids love watching themselves and their friends play, which boosts cooperative play and social skills. Mirrors also double the visual space, making play areas feel bigger and more dynamic, sparking creativity and imagination. They reflect light, making spaces brighter and more inviting. Lastly, seeing their own emotions in the mirror helps kids recognize and manage their feelings better, supporting their emotional growth.
Mirror painting is a simple and engaging activity for kids. It can be easy on parents too, especially if you do it outside.

Grab one of those old preschool paintings and tape it down flat to the the table. Odds are, your child created that painting standing up at the easel, so placing it down flat offers a new perspective. Take out some markers, stickers, or fresh paint. Allow your child to revisit their work and add to it.

Use large drawings or paintings as wrapping paper. Kids love to gift their art work and this is a great way to do it. Let them have at it with a roll of tape (we love this rainbow tape) and do the wrapping for you. It might not come out professional looking, but its a great fine motor activity and it will give your child a sense of pride.

Recycle old art work by cutting it into small shapes for collage. Put out the pieces on a tray with glue and a piece of sturdy paper or cardboard and let your child make something new! It is amazing how these things turn out the second and third time around. Plus, you win, because your child is engaged in a non-screen activity and you didn’t even buy anything!

Post it! Mail that painting to a friend or grandparent. Brainstorm a list of people who might like to receive mail. Help your child fold their work and place it in an envelope. Show them how you address it, and let your child decorate the envelope. Head to the post office together and mail out the package, allowing your child to take the lead as much a possible. Boom. I just killed an entire morning for you! Your child and their grandparent will probably be very happy.

Have your child choose a painting they remember making. You know, that really special one that you can tell they spent ages on. Sit down with them and have them dictate a story about what is happening in the painting. It is okay if they make up something entirely new on the spot. It is the writing and sharing that matters here. Write down their words carefully (this is a great pre-reading exercise, btw). Later that evening, allow your child to present her painting to the family while you read her story out loud!