I’m bored

How to Handle a Bored Child: A Parenting Approach by Age and Stage

Let’s start with this: if you’re reading this because your child keeps saying “I’m bored,” or acting bored.

You feel your own irritation rising. This is frustrating. Breathe. Here we go again.

You’re not a bad parent, and you haven’t failed to entertain your child.

In fact, boredom isn’t something to fix for them; it’s something to explore with them.

Boredom is uncomfortable, yes.

But it’s also an invitation to connect, to create, to reflect, and to grow.

With my parenting approach, we can turn those whiny moments into windows of opportunity.

Here’s how, from toddlerhood onwards.

Age 2–3: Toddlers are The Busy Explorers

Can they even be bored yet?

Not quite in the adult sense.

At this age, children live in the moment.

What looks like boredom is usually a sign of restlessness, overstimulation, tiredness, or a need for connection.

What’s really going on?

They’re learning how to navigate their world.

They don’t want entertainment; they want engagement.

They need connection, movement, and something to do with their hands.

What to do:

• Offer simple, sensory play: water, sand, bubbles, or pots and pans.

• Narrate what you’re doing and invite them in: “I’m folding laundry, want to help me find all the socks?”

• Rotate toys rather than buy more. Fewer, familiar options spark deeper play.

• Stay close. Toddlers want to know you’re available, even if they’re playing solo.

Age 4–6: Preschoolers are The Imaginative Builders

What’s really going on?

Their brains are exploding with ideas, but they can’t always initiate or sustain play on their own yet.

When they say, “I’m bored,” they’re often saying, “I don’t know what to do next” or “Will you do something with me?”

What to do:

• Co-create a “boredom jar” with your child. Fill it with simple, open-ended activities.

• Invite them to come up with three things they could do. Help them choose one.

• Say yes to their world-building games sometimes. Sit on the floor and follow their lead.

• Normalise boredom. “Sometimes I feel that way too. Let’s see what we can come up with.”

Working together moment:

Ask: “What kind of play does your body feel like today, is it moving, building, or imagining?”

This gives them autonomy and helps them tune into their inner needs.

Age 7–9: School-Age Kids are The Independent Inventors

What’s really going on?

They’re developing more independence and complex thinking.

Boredom here can signal a lack of challenge, a desire for novelty, or a disconnection from purpose. Sometimes, it’s just code for “I want to feel important.”

What to do:

• Collaborate on a “passion board” or list of interests to return to during downtime.

• Let them be part of the household rhythm: cooking, cleaning, fixing things—this helps them feel purposeful.

• Introduce projects with a beginning, middle, and end (e.g., building a fort, writing a comic, planting herbs).

• Resist rescuing them too quickly. Problem-solving is a muscle they need to flex.

Working together moment:

Try asking: “Is your brain tired or just needing something fun to do?” Then brainstorm together.

Age 10–12: Tweens are The Restless Dreamers

What’s really going on?

This age is tricky as they’re between childhood and adolescence.

Their inner world is growing rapidly, and so is their self-awareness.

Boredom often reflects a need for deeper stimulation or emotional connection.

What to do:

• Check in emotionally. Sometimes “I’m bored” really means “I feel lost” or “I’m lonely.”

• Encourage passion projects. Music, tech, crafts, storytelling, whatever lights them up.

• Give them responsibility. Boredom can disappear when they feel trusted and capable.

• Let them feel bored. That space is where creativity brews.

Working together moment:

Say: “Sounds like your brain wants a challenge. Want to come up with a goal for the week together?”

A Final Word: Boredom is a Gift in Disguise

As parents, we often feel pressure to keep our kids happy and engaged every second of the day.

But when we rush in to solve boredom, we rob them of something important: the chance to meet their own needs, to get curious, and to create their own joy.

The key is to stay calm, stay connected, and stay curious.

Ask questions.

Collaborate.

Let your child lead, with you as their steady guide.

Parenting isn’t about preventing boredom. It’s about using every moment, even the whiny ones, as a chance to build something better together.

🧰 Boredom Toolkit by Age

Age 2–3: Toddlers

What boredom really means: I need movement, connection, or rest.

Go-to activities:

• Sensory bins (rice, pasta, water)

• Pretend cooking with safe kitchen items

• Sorting objects by color or size

• Dancing to music

• Water play with cups and spoons

Helpful phrases:

• “Want to help me with something?”

• “Let’s find something fun to touch or pour.”

• “Do you want to move your body or sit with me?”

Age 4–6: Preschoolers

What boredom really means: I have ideas, but I need help getting started.

Go-to activities:

• “Boredom jar” with ideas like “build a zoo” or “draw a treasure map”

• Role play or dress-up

• Make an obstacle course inside or outside

• Simple crafts: gluing, cutting, folding

• Treasure hunts or scavenger games

Helpful phrases:

• “What kind of play does your body feel like? moving, building, or imagining?”

• “Let’s look at the jar together.”

• “Want me to play with you for 10 minutes first?”

Age 7–9: School-Age Kids

What boredom really means: I want purpose, novelty, or a challenge.

Go-to activities:

• Create a comic book or mini movie

• Make a recipe or invent a snack

• Build something: LEGO, fort, cardboard city

• Help with a real task (organise, repair, decorate)

• Start a collection or journal

Helpful phrases:

• “What are three things you could do right now?”

• “Do you feel like making something, moving, or relaxing?”

• “Let’s plan a mini project this week.”

Age 10–12: Tweens

What boredom really means: I want freedom, purpose, or deeper connection.

Go-to activities:

• Learn a skill (coding, drawing, music)

• Personal challenge (fitness, book series, DIY project)

• Mood playlist curation

• Community task or volunteering

• Create a weekly goal and track progress

Helpful phrases:

• “Want to create a challenge or project together?”

• “You have some time, fabulous - what fun thing would make you feel good right now?”

• “Is your brain tired or looking for a spark?”

💡 Bonus: Conversation Starters for Any Age

• “What’s something new you’d love to try this week?”

• “When do you feel the most excited or focused?”

• “Want to make a plan together for your free time?”

• “Let’s each come up with one idea and try them both!”