Ma! I am bored. Can I watch TV for a while?
Ma! I am bored on the train. Can I play a phone game before our next stop comes?
Ma! I am bored in class. So, I fiddled with my pencil, and the teacher confiscated it.
Ma! It is boring to wait at the dentist for my turn. Can I bring my toys over to play?
Has there ever been a day when he has not been bored?
My son has always been an energetic, curious child. As a toddler, boredom was a concept alien to him. His days were packed with curiosity-driven activities—creating the tallest tower of blocks only to knock them down with delight, then asking me which building is the tallest in the world. Dinosaurs ruled his imaginary kingdom, where T-Rexes and Diplodocuses roamed side by side as he quizzed me about the largest animal on Earth.
Even during quieter moments, like flipping through his books, he had an ear out for secrets—like daddy whispering about a surprise playdate. His curiosity kept him entertained and his days full.
Then came primary school, and the word “boring” entered our lives. It slipped into his vocabulary stealthily, and suddenly everything—from long car rides to waiting in queues—was boring. I cannot pinpoint where he learned the word, but it was here to stay.
Where Do Kids Learn “Boring”?
Children are not born knowing the word “boring.” It sneaks in as they grow, often from peers, media, or even adults expressing frustration at routine tasks. Words like “boring” give kids a way to label moments of stillness or unstructured time.
When my son started primary school, I noticed how structured his day had become. Timetables dictated when he ate, studied, and played. Over time, he began expecting constant engagement. Unscheduled moments started feeling like a void he needed to fill immediately.
In today’s fast-paced world, filled with gadgets and endless entertainment, boredom feels unnatural to kids. It is not just my son—I see this with other children too. A gap in activity feels like an itch they cannot ignore.
Why Do Children Get Bored?
Boredom stems from multiple factors:
Lack of novelty: As children grow, they seek new and stimulating experiences. Repetitive activities can feel dull.
Over-scheduling: Kids accustomed to structured days may struggle with unstructured time. They lose the ability to self-entertain.
Screen dependence: Easy access to screens makes it harder for kids to engage in creative, screen-free play.
Limited patience: Waiting for something—like a dentist appointment—can feel interminable for children who expect instant gratification.
Need for autonomy: Kids crave control. Being told what to do all the time can make them feel unmotivated or uninterested in what is available.
When my son declared himself bored during a train ride one day, I handed him a puzzle book. He glanced at it, sighed dramatically, and slumped back in his seat. The issue was not the puzzle; it was that he had gotten used to me entertaining him during such moments.
Why Should Kids Be Bored?
As frustrating as those “Ma! I am bored” moments can be, I have come to realize that boredom is not the enemy. It is a gift. Here is why:
- It Fosters Creativity
When kids are bored, their minds wander. This is when the most imaginative ideas are born. One afternoon, my son complained that he had “nothing to do.” After refusing my suggestions to read or colour, he grabbed an old shoebox, cut out windows, and turned it into a spaceship for his toys. His boredom had unlocked creativity.
- It Builds Problem-Solving Skills
Boredom teaches kids to take initiative. Instead of waiting for someone to entertain them, they learn to figure out how to engage themselves. I have seen my son set up obstacle courses for his action figures or invent card games when left to his own devices.
- It Encourages Patience
Life is full of waiting—at the doctor’s office, in traffic, or for a friend to arrive. Boredom helps children build the patience they will need as adults.
- It Promotes Independence
Kids need to know they can entertain themselves. Boredom forces them to be self-reliant. My son once spent an hour building domino track from scratch while I was on a work call. He was so proud of himself by the end of it.
- It Allows Reflection
Boredom creates a rare moment of stillness. In those quiet moments, kids can process their thoughts, reflect on their day, or dream about the future.
- It Prepares Them for Life
As adults, we cannot avoid boring moments—work meetings, chores, or long commutes. Teaching kids to manage boredom equips them to handle life’s monotony with resilience.
Embracing Boredom in Daily Life
One weekend, after a particularly exhausting week, I declared it a “no-screen day.” My son groaned as if I had announced the end of fun forever. For the first hour, he flopped around the living room like a fish out of water.
But then, boredom worked its magic. By mid-morning, he had set up a “science lab” in the kitchen, experimenting with baking soda and vinegar. After lunch, he grabbed a stack of paper and started making his own comic book. By evening, he was so engrossed in his projects that he forgot to ask for TV time.
Now, I intentionally create moments of boredom. I resist the urge to over-schedule or step in too quickly when he seems restless. Instead, I ask, “What do you feel like doing?” and let him figure it out.
Practical Tips for Parents
If you want to help your child embrace boredom, here are some strategies:
- Limit screen time: Make space for unstructured, screen-free play.
- Provide open-ended toys: Blocks, art supplies, or puzzles encourage creativity.
- Be patient: Do not rush to solve their boredom. Let them sit with it for a while.
- Model boredom tolerance: Show your child how you manage waiting or unstructured time.
- Create a boredom jar: Fill a jar with simple activity ideas—write a story, build with Legos, or draw a family portrait—and let them pick one when boredom strikes.
Final Thoughts
Boredom is not a problem to be solved; it is an opportunity to grow. It teaches kids to be creative, resourceful, and independent. Next time your child says, “Ma! I am bored,” resist the urge to fix it for them. Instead, give them the gift of figuring it out themselves.
Because boredom is where magic happens.
Swetha is a parent coach and founder of Bricks & Blocks Coaching. She is a mother to two children who have inspired her journey toward self-improvement.