By Kayla DeKraker
Could AI cure your kid’s summer boredom? One mom hacked the tech, discovering a helpful way to keep her kids off screens during the out-of-school months.
“My favorite prompt of the summer has been, ‘Give me a list of 100 things my sons (ages 10 and 13) can do when they say, ‘I’m bored” this summer,’” mom Suzi Morales explained. “This list should include enjoyable activities as well as some light chores (like sweeping floor or emptying dishwasher). No activities involving electronic devices. The list should include some physical activity.”
When she inputted specific guidelines and provided context for her prompts, AI actually gave her some great ideas.
Morales said, “I customized it to match my kids’ interests and personalities, and our household needs. Now, the printed list is on the refrigerator, complete with spaces to check off completed activities so they can track their progress. When they finish seven activities, they receive a small reward, like a book or movie-sized candy.”
Although it is great to have resources like AI to entertain our kids, Tracy Foster, co-founder and executive director of Screen Sanity, explained that it is also okay to let them be bored and come up with ideas on their own, too.
“We can feel the expectation to be cruise director parents and if our kids say they’re bored, it’s like an insult to us that we are failing,” she said. “Instead, having them learn how to work through boredom is so powerful and forces them to unleash creativity.”
Being bored encourages creativity, which has major advantages for kids.
Related: AI Company Lets Kids Create Customized Books, Videos and More
A 2024 study from Crayola found that 92% of children observed benefited and gain confidence from creativity.
“Creative activities help children recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities – giving children an incredible sense of joy and accomplishment,” explained Cheri Sterman, senior director of education at Crayola.
She added, “By prioritizing creativity, we not only enhance children’s immediate happiness but also equip them with the confidence and skills they need for future challenges.”
As more parents turn to AI for tips on raising their kids and keeping them busy, it’s important to remember that AI can either help or hinder creativity, depending on how you use it.
“In our research we explored the relationship between AI and humans, finding that generative AI is not a replacement for human skills like creativity, but rather a supplement or a tool that we will need to manage,” research professor David Cropley said in his study “How Does Narrow AI Impact Human Creativity?”
So, can using AI be a good way to come up with activities for kids? Definitely. But make sure it doesn’t take the place of inspiring their own creativity.
Read Next: Wait, Smartphones Might Not Be Bad for Kids?
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