• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS

5 Minutes for Mom

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Snack
      • Lunch
      • Appetizer
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
    • Ingredient
      • Apple
      • Beef
      • Blueberry
      • Chicken
      • Chocolate
      • Cranberry
      • Peach
      • Pumpkin
      • Squash
      • Strawberry
      • Tomato
      • Vegetables
      • Zucchini
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Baking
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • No Bake
      • One Dish
      • Slow Cooker
    • Type
      • Breads and Rolls
      • Cakes and Muffins
      • Condiments
      • Cookies and Bars
      • Drinks
      • Food for Kids
      • Gluten-Free
      • Main Dish
      • Pies and Crisps
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies
      • Soup
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • DIY
    • Kids Crafts
    • Printables
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing
  • Family Life
    • Giveaways
    • Lifestyle
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Parenting
    • Pet Care
    • Special Needs
    • Time Management
    • Travel
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas

Tackling Boredom in Kids

May 14, 2013 by Robin Farr

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

ShareTweetPinPocketMail

Our blogging friend Robin Farr is sharing tips to tackling boredom in kids.
Of all the things kids complain about – “I’m hungry!”, “I’m so bored”, and “He hit me!” – “I’m so bored” has to be my least favorite. In my house, boredom is usually accompanied by mischievousness (actually, “I broke it” is probably my least favorite declaration) and is the one thing that can cause me to sigh and hold my breath at the same time. So let’s talk about how to tackle boredom in our kids.

Give them Chores

A very traditional approach to the words “I’m so bored” usually begin with a parent handing her child rubber gloves and a scrub brush. While kids hate this method, it has been proven useful in getting them to find another form of words to use. It will also help teach them how to clean and give you a break (just kidding — but this method does work to some extent even though kids hate this approach).

Use what you’ve got

Many young children — toddlers and babies, can basically play with anything and this will relieve their boredom. Mother and blogger Kristin from Two Cannoli suggests using sensory play with stuff you already have in the house. Smelling and identifying spices works well for this, she says.

If you have a Tupperware drawer, more than likely, your toddler will find this form of entertainment the most amusing. If you want a moment of sanity, I say “go for it”!

Water is another good go-to game when you’re running out of ideas. Angela Amman, of AngelaAmman.com, has two kids who can always be entertained with water. Outside, inside, in bathing suits in the bathtub – if you’ve got water (and maybe a mop) you can generate all kinds of free entertainment.

Jumpstart their imaginations (without them knowing it)

Sometimes, all kids need is that proverbial (and metaphorical) kick in the pants to get their imaginations going. The oft-quoted joke about why we bother buying toys when the cardboard box they come in seems to be more fun is true. Look around and see what you can find for them to play with. The last time I gave my son a big box it turned into a spaceship. He had a blast (no pun intended) and I enjoyed seeing his excitement as he built it.

Bring toys out of hiding

Boredom is also a good opportunity to remind your kids about all the toys they never play with. My four-year-old plays with Legos all the time, so when he declares he’s bored I start listing off the other options buried deep in the toy box. Those are the days that he rediscovers those long forgotten and buried toys.

 Keep some activities up your sleeve (or in your closet)

All parents, I think it’s safe to say, occasionally reach a point where they just want their kids to play quietly for a while without needing an activities director. I keep a stash of new toys hidden in my closet – just small things, but something that’s guaranteed to buy me half an hour on days I really need it. It’s a small price to pay for about 5 minutes of uninterrupted time.

What are your best strategies for dealing with boredom?

ShareTweetPinPocketMail
Free Art Class – Thrive Online Art Classes for Kids (with Giveaway)
Teen Driving Safety and How You Both Can Agree on Some Guidelines

Reader Interactions


Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments

  1. Linda Kinsman says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:46 am

    Those are all excellent tips that I have used in the past. Now that my daughter’s are older (14 and 10) I have to get really creative. I stash craft and art supplies, CD’s and coupons for freebies around town. You’d be amazed at the sanity saved over a free cherry blast drink!

    Reply
    • Robin | Farewell, Stranger says

      May 14, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      Linda, I can imagine! I’ll remember that when mine are older.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Bringing Moms Together

We are Janice and Susan, twin bloggers and work-at-home moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.

Meet Us…

Work With Us…

Subscribe via Email

to be first to read new posts

Trending Now

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Among Us Costumes – How To Make Pretty DIY Among Us Cosplay Outfits

Among Us Costumes – How To Make Pretty DIY Among Us Cosplay Outfits

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

browse around

  • Posts by Susan
  • Posts by Janice
  • Favorite Recipes
  • Favorite Crafts
  • Giveaways
  • All Posts

Footer

Recipes

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Good Morning Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

Good Morning Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Crafts/DIY

Valentine’s Day Crafts For Kids – Super Cute and Easy Valentine Craft Ideas

Valentine’s Day Crafts For Kids – Super Cute and Easy Valentine Craft Ideas

Animal Ears – How to Make an Easy No Sew Animal Ears Headband

Animal Ears – How to Make an Easy No Sew Animal Ears Headband

Free Halloween Printables For Kids

Free Halloween Printables For Kids

Giveaways

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Mom

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Mom

School Supplies List and Back to School Shopping Guide

School Supplies List and Back to School Shopping Guide

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 5 Minutes for MomTheme by Melissa Rose Design and Once Coupled