By Kayla DeKraker
Could getting bored be exactly what your kids need? In a world saturated by social media, entertainment and activities, having nothing to do might actually be good for them.
“When kids aren’t scheduled every minute, they learn how to problem-solve, explore their interests and build confidence. Boredom opens up space in the brain for creativity,” psychotherapist Nicole Runyon told GOOD MORNING AMERICA, encouraging parents to let their kids get bored this summer.
Runyon revealed that boredom doesn’t actually exist.
“The mind isn’t ever truly bored,” she explained “When a child says they’re bored, what they often mean is, ‘I don’t want to sit with my thoughts.’ But learning to sit with those thoughts? That’s where real growth happens.”
When kids are home from school for the summer, parents might feel tempted to let them use screens. Runyon advises moderation.
“Make screens something that happen with you, not just around you,” she said. “Watch a movie together, try a cooking tutorial as a family, or limit screen time to certain hours. But make the default for summer real life.”
Runyan isn’t the only one who believes in the benefits of boredom.
“Boredom might not be super distressing, but it’s not fun,” clinical psychologist Stephanie Lee said, explaining that boredom teaches children to regulate emotions. “Life requires us to manage our frustrations and regulate our emotions when things aren’t going our way, and boredom is a great way to teach that skill.”
Jodi Musoff, MA, MEd, an educational specialist at the Child Mind Institute added, “Typically, kids don’t plan their days, but when they work on a project to fill their time, they have to create a plan, organize their materials, and solve problems.
She added, “Developing these skills helps children better manage a variety of academic tasks, such as planning for long term assignments, and flexibility when working on group projects and social skills.”
When kids need some direction through their boredom, screen-free activities like reading a book, writing a letter to a friend, playing cards, having a garage sale, going for a walk or cooking with family could be the perfect solution.
Related: Why Rising Boredom Levels in Teens Might Be a Good Thing
Influencer Azka, who focuses on helping reduce screen time, suggests creative activities like bead threading, homemade play dough or an indoor obstacle course.
“Let kids make a mess,” said Tanyell Cole, a therapist with a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in marriage and family therapy. “Creativity is rarely clean. It’s food coloring turned into paint, flour all over the counter, dress-up clothes scattered in the bathroom. These moments are low-pressure, low-cost, and they come from what you already have at home.”
This summer, let your kids get bored and watch their creativity flourish.
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