How to make sure your kids are NEVER bored

The key to not hearing the dreaded ‘b’ word is engaging their minds and bodies in something new. Open their eyes and imaginations to different hobbies, events, experiences and ideas. Sounds like a lot of planning, expense and time, you think? Think again. There are dozens of ways to give your children experiences they wouldn't otherwise have for very little expense and minimal planning.

Elementary aged children

Children younger than 6 or 7 very rarely get bored. They’re too busy exploring the world around them, getting into this and that and discovering how everything works. But once they get into school, they quickly acquire a ‘taste’ for the familiarity of the daily routine of school. So when that routine is disrupted for more than a few days, they don’t always quite know what to do with themselves. That’s where I come in.

With 4 children of my own, I know the chaos that can take over your home if the boredom bug hits. So I’ll share with you just a few things I found helpful over the years to keep boredom at bay:

Enroll your child in enrichment courses.

Many times schools will have short summer programs that are enrichment-based; meaning the doldrums of the classroom are exchanged for fun things such as cooking, drama, pottery, fishing, photography and creative writing.

Set aside one or two days a week to spend in special activities as a family.

These activities may include a day at the pool, going to the zoo or other local attractions (cheap or free), play dates with friends or simply playing and picnicking in the park.

Teach your child to do something new.

Baking, sewing, crocheting, woodworking…whatever they choose. And if you don’t have the skills, ask an older person in your neighbourhood or church to spend some time with your child.

Do you have a budding reporter in your home?

Give them a notebook, pens and a camera. Their assignment? To use these items to create a weekly neighbourhood newspaper. NOTE: Be sure they understand the importance of not invading other’ privacy.

Give your child additional chores-and additional allowance.

Plant a small vegetable garden together

And turn over the responsibility of caring for the garden to your children.

Sort family photos

Do you have boxes of old family photos on the shelf? Allow your older children to sort through them; tossing any of them that are unidentifiable and/or poor quality. Then ask them to organize the rest of them.

Spend a day every now and then in the past.

No computer, television, microwave, etc.. Play games such as jacks, 4-square, checkers, tag and hide-n-seek.

Have a family talent show.

Give the kids old curtains or sheets to make a stage curtain, have them put together an act or two per child and then you and your spouse can be the audience after dinner that evening.

Spend a few hours a week volunteering in your community.

It can be something as simple as taking a walk through the neighbourhood to collect litter or serving at the local food pantry or homeless shelter.

Give your child the video camera and have them chronicle a day in the life of your family.

Boredom is a state of mind-not a state of being.

Being on the go and constantly busy is neither necessary or healthy. You need to provide and encourage your children to have some time each week to just ‘be’-to be still and to just chill out. Let them know that resting both the body and mind doesn't mean there’s nothing to do. It simply means they are choosing to do nothing… for a few minutes, anyway.

Written by

Darla Noble

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