The first few weeks of fall always seem to fly by. Adjusting to new schedules, new school or childcare activities, and possibly even meeting new friends. But after the excitement of the fall rush, the fizzle can inevitably happen. One day, in the middle of minding your own business, you’ll hear the first of many complaints: 

"Mom, I'm soooooo booooored."

Now, boredom itself is not the problem. Being bored can help children develop stronger creativity and problem-solving skills, as well as increase their self-esteem. The phrase, “I don’t know what to do” often comes right before the most imaginative, engaged playtime.

So how do you help kids learn to get creative when they’re bored without losing your mind in the process? Instead of rattling off a bunch of suggestions that are most likely going to be met with "no," "no," and "that's boring too," try making a boredom buster idea bank. 

Write down several ideas on slips of paper and keep them in a jar. Make it a summer rule that if anyone says, “I’m bored,” they have to pick an idea and start it. 

The goal here is to get them pointed in a direction and let them run with it, so don’t worry about getting too specific. If they lose track of the original idea because they find something else to do along the way, even better! 

Here are some ideas to get you started: 

Indoor Boredom Buster Ideas

-Build a fort and "move in" for the afternoon
-Put on a living room concert or talent show
-Make a comic strip about your pet (or an imaginary one)
-Set up a pretend restaurant and take orders from family members
-Create an obstacle course using couch cushions and pillows
-Sort through your art supplies and make something with whatever you find

Outdoor Boredom Buster Ideas

-Use sidewalk chalk to draw a town, a racetrack, or a life-size self-portrait
-Set up a backyard "Olympics" with whatever equipment you have
-Go on a nature scavenger hunt and collect things to examine later
-Make up a new game using a ball and whatever natural materials you can find
-Build something with sticks, rocks, or whatever the yard has to offer

On-the-Go Boredom Buster Ideas

-Visit the library and let each kid pick their own stack of books
-Head to a local park and find three things you've never noticed before
-Pack a bag with art supplies and find somewhere new to sketch or color
-Explore a trail, a new neighborhood, or even just a different route home

Fair warning: some of these activities will buy you approximately five minutes before they’re declared boring too. That's fine. The point isn't to find the perfect activity. It's to build the habit of at least trying something before standing in a doorway waiting for Mom to give you an idea.