As parents, we’re wired to fix and prevent problems—whether it’s taking over pouring drinks, tying shoelaces, or addressing our child’s constant boredom. But here’s the thing: your child’s boredom isn’t your problem to solve. In fact, it might just be the best thing that’s happened to them all day. Why? Because boredom sparks creativity, independence, and most importantly—problem-solving skills.
If we want our kids to develop the skills they need to navigate the world, we need to step back and let them figure things out on their own. Here are five ways to turn "boring" moments into golden opportunities for your child to practice problem-solving.
1. Don't Fill Every Minute with Structured Activities
When your child says they’re bored, resist the urge to jump in and fill that time with a craft project, a new game, or a playdate. Free, unstructured time is where problem-solving thrives. Let them explore their boredom. They'll likely come up with their own solutions—whether it’s building a fort, inventing a new game, or simply thinking up a creative way to pass the time. Boredom is the ultimate breeding ground for innovation.
2. Send Them Outside (No Screens Allowed!)
For many children, the majority of the time they spend outdoors is engaging in structured activities like soccer or baseball practice. But when they are given unstructured time outside, they can encounter a variety of fun challenges—climbing trees, building with sticks, figuring out how to balance on a log—all of which require critical thinking and adaptation. Plus, the outdoors offers a much-needed break from screens, giving your child’s mind the freedom to think, explore, and discover.
3. Let Them Take Risks (And Make Mistakes!)
We’ve all been there—watching our child try something we feel is too risky and feeling our heart race. But here’s the truth: kids need to take risks and make mistakes to grow. Whether it’s climbing a little bit higher than they have before or learning to ride a bike, taking risks teaches resilience and problem-solving. These opportunities allow them to learn how to adjust, try again, and persevere when they encounter a problem.
4. Let Them Struggle with Everyday Tasks
We often have to step in to help with tasks like tying shoes, pouring drinks, or zipping up jackets in our day-to-day lives due to limited time. On days where you have time to spare, let your child wrestle with these tasks themselves. These small, everyday challenges are great opportunities for real-world problem-solving which helps them build the confidence and persistence needed to solve bigger problems down the road.
5. Read Books that Model a Problem-Solving Mindset
Books are a powerful tool for encouraging problem-solving. Stories like Amelia’s Loose Part Art (available on my website and Amazon) show kids how to see the world around them as a resource to carry out their ideas. Amelia inspires children to think outside the box and approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset. Since Amelia models her thinking process, children easily understand how they can get creative wherever they are and you'll watch their boredom become a thing of the past!
Next time your child is bored, don’t rush to fill the void. Instead, step back and give them the chance to think, create, and problem-solve on their own. In a world that’s constantly telling kids what to do, boredom might just be the best opportunity they have to figure out who they are, what they enjoy, and all of their talents still waiting to be discovered.
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