Some of us are a week into summer break already. How’s it going being at home with your kiddos all day, every day? As a mom, who is also a teacher, I remember when my girls were young that the first week of summer was heaven! We slept in a little. There was still novelty in the lack of a rushed schedule every day. The pantry was still fully stocked with snacks. The coloring books, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles were still novel and fun. Then during the second week, it would happen. The moment that brings dread and panic to every parent. It’s the moment when the kids say these terrible words… “I’m bored!” They say it and we hear it as though it is a problem, a hardship even. Also, we seem to all have come to the collective agreement that children’s boredom is the adult’s problem to solve.
Well, I have good news for you! New research has been published that confirms that some boredom is actually good for kids, and it’s not bad for adults either.
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A 2025 study led by researchers from Stanford University found that boredom can support creativity and imagination.
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The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology published a study in 2024 that states that unstructured time helps children build self-regulation.
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Mind-wandering is good for learning and problem-solving, according to an article published in Harvard Business Review.
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That same article states that constant stimulation can reduce opportunities for independent thinking.
Boredom is the silence in which creativity, problem-solving, and critical-thinking seem to wake up. So, the next time you hear the “I’m bored” complaint, don’t sweat. Remind your kiddos that they are smart and capable and you are confident they have the skills they need to find something fun to do. Then, sit back and watch the magic happen!
