It's OK to Feel Bored This Summer
Summer is in full swing after an activity packed end of the school year with celebrations and anticipation. It's possible that things are beginning to settle down and you may hear "I'm bored" more frequently from your children. Boredom can be the best time to get creative or try something new. Instead of jumping in with suggestions when your child states that they're bored, allow them to sit in that feeling. Ask them what boredom feels like in their brain and their bodies. Is it a calm feeling? Is it an anxious feeling? Try responding differently each time your child reports that they are bored. Try making yourself available sometimes and say “if there's anything you'd like to do together I'm in.” Maybe other times say that you have some things to take care of and leave them to solve their own boredom. You'd be surprised at the ideas, activities, and fun children can create when allowed the space to feel a little bored.
It can be tempting to reach for a screen, device, or video game when boredom strikes but this may only exacerbate the need for constant stimulation. Digital stimulation deprives children of time to sit with their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas. If your child is used to screens, they may have an even harder time coping with boredom. If screens are too tempting, here are a few things to try when your children express boredom.
1. Bring out a previously loved toy/game that hasn't been used in a while.
Maybe their set of Legos has been untouched for a while, maybe their coloring book has some empty pages. Try engaging in these activities yourself and see if your child is more likely to join in without any coaxing or you even having to ask.
2. Get outside together
Going outside yourself is the key here. Simply suggesting your children go outside can lead them to argue or ignore the suggestion. If you go outside yourself and spend some time out there, your children are more likely to follow you. Even if you go outside to do some yard work and aren't engaging in an activity with them, they are more likely to come out and begin to entertain themselves while you work. If it's a hot day, try using a garden hose to create different challenges such as trying to jump over the stream of water, writing letters with the stream and taking turns trying to guess the letter, or washing the cars in the driveway or other dusty toys from the garage.
3. Re-invent rules to a previously enjoyed game.
Maybe you've all played that board game together so often that it's old news. See if there are any ways to recreate the rules or add a gross motor component to make it more challenging to accommodate your child's developing brain.
4. Have a picnic
Try bringing a snack or meal outside in a shady spot or maybe to a park. Get your child engaged in planning and packing the food to help improve their interest in the activity.
5. Create an activity jar
Let every member of the family write down/suggest some activities they'd enjoy doing as a family this summer. Fold them up on little pieces of paper and place them into a jar. When boredom strikes, randomly select a piece of paper from the jar and complete the activity together.