Why Boredom Is a Superpower
In a world of constant stimulation, boredom is the surprising gateway to creativity, resilience, and self-discovery. It's not an empty space to fill, but a fertile ground for imagination to grow.
If you ever hear the words “I’m bored” echoing through your house, you might feel as if you should instantly fix it. Maybe reach for a device, a craft kit, or a quick idea to keep your child busy.
But what if boredom isn’t the enemy? What if it’s actually one of childhood’s greatest teachers? Our children today are overstimulated with technology and social media. These are not the only tools in which to learn.
Boredom is the doorway to creativity
When children have nothing to do, their minds start to wander and that’s when the magic happens. They build forts out of blankets, invent games with no rules, draw whole worlds from imagination. They feel exhilarated by their creations.
Boredom teaches children to think for themselves, to experiment, to imagine. It’s in those quiet, unstructured moments that creativity wakes up. So try not to fill every space for your child.
Boredom builds emotional strength
When a child sits in that uncomfortable space of nothing to do, they’re learning patience and self-regulation. They’re learning that feelings of restlessness won’t last forever, that they can tolerate emptiness and turn it into something new.
In a world of instant entertainment, that’s an emotional muscle worth building. Building self-discipline is a powerful skill to learn.
Boredom sparks curiosity
Without constant stimulation, children begin to notice things they might have missed, the shape of clouds, the hum of bees, the sound of rain on the roof.
They start asking questions, exploring, wondering.
Curiosity is the seed of learning. Boredom waters it. This allows their imaginations to grow.
Boredom teaches self-direction
When children always have adults telling them what to do, they can lose the ability to direct their own play or thinking. Boredom puts the responsibility back in their hands and says, “You choose.” That’s a powerful message for growing independence.
So how do we nurture healthy boredom?
Don’t rush to fill the gap. Let a child’s mind wander before you step in.
Limit screens sometimes. Digital distraction numbs imagination before it can start.
Create spaces for open play. Blank paper, blocks, sand, sticks are simple tools for big ideas.
Model it. Sit quietly yourself. Let your child see you daydream or rest without a device.
The takeaway
Boredom isn’t a problem to solve, it’s a gift to protect. When we let our children sit in those slow, quiet moments, we’re giving them something rare and powerful: time to think, to imagine, to grow.
So next time your child says, “I’m bored,” smile and say,
“Wonderful. That means your imagination is about to start working. Let it fly.”
Helping Your Child Find Balance in their busy life
Too many activities, too much pressure, and too little downtime can leave children overwhelmed. The good news? Balance can be taught. Home can be a space where your child learns to pause, play, and thrive. Read on to discover simple ways to bring more balance into your child’s life.
As parents, we want our children to thrive but sometimes, we accidentally give them too much. Too many clubs, too many lessons, too much screen time, or even too much pressure to “succeed.” The result? Stressed-out children who don’t know how to stop, breathe, or just be. In fact they can feel inadequate if they are not constantly in action. Classrooms are places where children learn how to balance the day between work and play.
But balance is something we can teach. Home life can be built around balance for a child.
Consider:
Spot the Imbalance
Start by observing your child’s week. Are they always rushing from one thing to the next? Is there time in their day for:
• Rest?
• Play (the unstructured, silly, no-goal kind)?
• Movement?
• Stillness?
• Time with you?
How about introducing a nothing day. Here your child can be creative, be still or enjoy not being accountable.
Teach the “Juggle” with Jars
Children are visual. Try this at home:
• Take three jars. Label them Work, Play, and Rest.
• Give your child 10 marbles (or buttons).
• Ask them to drop the marbles into the jars to show how they spent their day.
Most children will drop them all into “Work” (school, homework, chores) and “Play” (devices, sports). "Rest" is often forgotten.
Talk about it:
What could go into the "Rest" jar? Reading a quiet book? Drawing? Sitting in the garden? You’ll be surprised how much this simple activity gets them thinking and talking.
Model the Balance
Children copy what they see. If you never rest, they won’t think it’s allowed. If you always check your phone while talking to them, they learn to do the same.
Try this:
• Announce you're going for a 10-minute walk “to reset your brain.”
• Sit with a cup of tea and say, “I need a moment of quiet today.”
• Say “no” to something and explain why.
It doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to be real. Let them see how just being you is a comfortable space to live in.
Make “Bored” a Good Word
When your child says, “I’m bored,” don’t rush to fix it. Boredom is the starting block for being creative and problem-solving. Let them simply be bored for a while.
Example:
Jack (9) whined for half an hour that there was “nothing to do” one Sunday. His parents didn’t react. Ten minutes later, he’d turned the sofa into a pirate ship with a tea towel on his head.
Boredom worked. A child needs that kind of time to slow down their overthinking and just let it happen.
Balance Looks Different for Every Child
Some kids need quiet to recharge; others need movement. Some love a packed schedule; others melt under pressure. Every child is different and if you have more than one child I am sure you have noticed that already!
Ask regularly:
• “Are you enjoying what you’re doing?”
• “Is there something you’d like to do less of?”
• “Do you feel tired or happy at the end of the day?”
Make sure they are not trying to be overactive to simply prove how capable they are. You love them for just being them. This may mean that the pace is varied for different children in the family.
Balance is a Gift
Balance isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about giving our children the tools to check in with themselves, make choices, and build a life that works for them. It’s not just a childhood skill, it’s a life skill. When a child likes the balance in their life they can really savour different aspects of their world. For example, rest and recreation is as valuable as high level activity.