The Hidden Power of Boredom
As summer begins, many parents quickly hear the familiar phrase: “I’m bored.”
While boredom can feel frustrating at first, it is actually an important part of healthy childhood development. In a world filled with constant stimulation, packed schedules, screens, and entertainment, boredom creates space for children to build creativity, confidence, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.
The goal is not to make children uncomfortable or ignored. It is about allowing small moments of unstructured time where kids can learn to engage with themselves and the world around them.
When children are constantly entertained, they miss opportunities to practice flexibility, independence, and frustration tolerance. Boredom invites kids to begin asking themselves important questions:
“What could I create?”
“What sounds fun?”
“How can I solve this problem?”
“What could I create?”
“What sounds fun?”
“How can I solve this problem?”
These are the very skills that help children grow into resilient and confident adults.
Here are a few ways parents can support boredom in healthy ways this summer:
• Resist the urge to immediately fix it
When your child says, “I’m bored,” try responding calmly with:
“I believe you’ll figure something out.”
This communicates confidence in their ability to problem solve rather than relying on adults to constantly direct entertainment.
When your child says, “I’m bored,” try responding calmly with:
“I believe you’ll figure something out.”
This communicates confidence in their ability to problem solve rather than relying on adults to constantly direct entertainment.
• Create a simple “boredom basket”
Fill a basket with low-pressure activities like coloring supplies, puzzles, sidewalk chalk, books, sensory bins, crafts, card games, or building materials. The goal is not perfection or structure, but open-ended play and creativity.
Fill a basket with low-pressure activities like coloring supplies, puzzles, sidewalk chalk, books, sensory bins, crafts, card games, or building materials. The goal is not perfection or structure, but open-ended play and creativity.
• Allow room for mess and imagination
Some of the best play comes from blankets draped across furniture, backyard obstacle courses, pretend restaurants, or made-up games between siblings. Unstructured play supports executive functioning, emotional expression, and confidence building.
Some of the best play comes from blankets draped across furniture, backyard obstacle courses, pretend restaurants, or made-up games between siblings. Unstructured play supports executive functioning, emotional expression, and confidence building.
• Remember that boredom can bring up emotions
Without constant distractions, kids may suddenly seem more emotional, irritable, or clingy. This is normal. Slowing down often creates space for feelings that have been pushed aside during busy routines.
Without constant distractions, kids may suddenly seem more emotional, irritable, or clingy. This is normal. Slowing down often creates space for feelings that have been pushed aside during busy routines.
• Focus less on productivity
Children do not need every moment of summer filled with camps, enrichment activities, or structured plans to thrive. Sometimes the quiet moments are where the most meaningful growth happens.
Children do not need every moment of summer filled with camps, enrichment activities, or structured plans to thrive. Sometimes the quiet moments are where the most meaningful growth happens.
This summer, boredom does not have to be viewed as a problem to solve. With support, patience, and a little space, it can become an opportunity for creativity, confidence, and emotional growth.
BIO:
Kelly Feddern, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, play therapist, and proud Lake Highlands neighbor. She is the founder of Highlands Counseling, where she works with children and families to support emotional growth, resilience, and healthy relationships. Kelly is passionate about helping kids feel seen, heard, and empowered through the power of play.