When Kids Say “I’m Bored”

Turning Downtime into Growth

In today’s world of constant stimulation kids rarely pause to say “I’m bored” and that might not be a bad thing. Letting kids experience boredom in a gentle, supported way can spark creativity, independence, and emotional resilience. As a play therapist and child therapist in San Luis Obispo, I’ve seen firsthand how unstructured time helps children develop self‑regulation and a sense of agency. Here's why boredom matters and how play therapy can help if boredom turns into overwhelm.

Boredom: The Brain’s Creativity Booster

Experts agree that boredom can be a positive force in child development. Boredom encourages children to develop planning, problem‑solving, flexibility, and organizational skills along with creativity and self‑esteem. By sitting with the discomfort of "nothing to do," children learn that they can generate their own fun and ideas.

Always providing entertainment can actually stifle creativity and independence. Allowing space for boredom gives children the chance to imagine, read, build a fort, or explore in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.

Structured schedules and screens can limit children’s ability to self‑entertain. Yet boredom reignites their innate curiosity and capacity for imagination.

Turning “I’m Bored” Into a Growth Moment

Rather than rushing to fill the silence, boredom can open the door to meaningful development. Letting kids face that quiet moment helps them build frustration tolerance. Boredom also nurtures resilience, teaching kids that not every moment has to be packed with entertainment.

However, some children may need support navigating boredom. Unstructured time can feel overwhelming, especially for those navigating anxiety or executive function challenges. Combining intuitive child‑led play with gentle scaffolding can support growth.

When Boredom Becomes a Struggle

Not all boredom is helpful. If your child withdraws, seems disengaged for long periods, or shows signs of anxiety or low mood, it may be a sign to bring in extra support. This is where play therapy shines.

In play therapy, children are invited into a safe, inviting space to explore through creative, play-based activities. This helps overstimulated kids process emotions, develop coping tools, and discover intrinsic motivation. When screen time overuse or boredom leads to emotional dysregulation or behavioral concerns, play therapy can recapture the balance between freedom and focus.

Let Boredom and Play Work Together

So how can parents use boredom positively while keeping gentle boundaries?

• Let kids experience small pockets of boredom. Don’t hurry in with screens or solutions immediately.

• Normalize boredom as “creative time” or “imagine time.” Shift the language to make it feel empowering.

• Offer minimal scaffolding, like a choice of two open‑ended activities or reminders of past fun ideas.

• Watch for signs that your child may need a safe space to express big feelings that come out of boredom or free time. That’s when play therapy can help reframe the experience and support new strategies.

If your child struggles with screen time dependence, picky play, or emotional regulation during downtime, play therapy can help them reconnect with their inner world in a rich and healing way.

References

Child Mind Institute. (2024, November 13). The benefits of boredom. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/the-benefits-of-boredom/

Cleveland Clinic News Service. (2025, February 17). Why It’s Okay for Kids to be Bored. Retrieved from https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2025/02/17/why-its-okay-for-kids-to-be-bored

Pendrill, S. (2025, April 24). Over‑scheduling overkill How boredom helps kids find their passions. CBS12. Retrieved from https://cbs12.com/news/local/experts-say-kids-need-boredom-for-creativity-in-over-scheduled-lives-learning-children-bored-games-imagination-creativity-florida-april-24-2025

Good Inside. (n.d.). It’s okay to be bored Three surprising benefits of boredom for kids. Retrieved from https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/why-boredom-is-actually-good-for-your-kids

Axios. (2022, July). Why we should embrace boredom. Retrieved from https://www.axios.com/2022/07/20/axios-finish-line-why-we-should-embrace-boredom