With a halt in the normal state of affairs has come endless free time and with that, the dreaded chant of ‘I’m bored’ from the kids all day. The sudden split with the outdoors has left them unsettled and boredom can worsen the gloom of the situation. There are countless ways in which you can get rid of boredom. But don’t you feel like it should be done in a way that makes this time purposeful? We have compiled a list of productive things to do when bored which will not only keep your kids occupied but teach them a thing or two and contribute to their development also. So, for the next time you are at a loss of ideas for fun activities for kids at home, we’ve got you covered.
Also read: 8 Most Useful New Skills to Learn During Quarantine
Productive Things to do When Bored
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Grow Plants
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Gardening is a great way to create environmental awareness among kids. It can be a meaningful and fun learning experience where they observe how plants grow, learn to care, and take responsibility and understand the value of food. Checking up on the sunlight, watering the plants every day, and giving them fertilizer can be very fulfilling. So, now when they look for fun things to do at home, hand them a shovel and let those little hands get soiled! -
Pour Out to Your Journal
Journaling is one of the feel-good things to do when bored for kids just like it is for adults. Along with being emotionally nourishing, the process can refine a kid’s sense of self.It helps identify feelings, express thoughts and ideas, and eventually rationalize them. It is a great way to practice mindfulness in a trying time like today. According to research, among other benefits, journaling “…removes mental blocks and allows you to use all of your brainpower to better understand yourself, others, and the world around you.” Moreover, It makes writing a regular exercise. Writing skills are essential for all fields of study, including science and math. Whether it is about putting down your research findings with clarity, pitching new ideas regarding your area of study, or penning down a science fiction, STEM and writing go hand in hand.
So, let them scribble, sketch, paint, stick cut-outs and go all artsy with it using supplies that they enjoy working with to boost their creativity. There are various ways of journaling with kids. Find or create your own to make the most of one of the best indoor activities for kids.
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A Board for the Bored
Yes, we’re talking about board games. Playing board games essentially brings the family together. It is probably one of the most hassle-free and fun things to do at home. But did you know that it has educational benefits too? Simpler board games can help young players identify colors, count spaces, and develop hand-eye coordination in shifting pieces around the board. Further, learning to wait their turn and follow the rules adds to the virtue of discipline. It also teaches them to lose gracefully and win humbly. So, undust those boxes of Monopoly, Pictionary, Scrabble, Life, Chess, or whichever interesting board games you have and indulge your kids in productive things to do when bored. -
Brain Teasers and Puzzles
We have all come across several kinds of brain teasers and puzzles in magazines, newspapers, on educational websites or applications. These light brain games can be excellent things to do when bored for kids. Riddles, Sudoku, crosswords, Rubik’s cube, trivia, and quiz games, memory games are all an exercise for the mind which push kids to put lateral thinking into practice and think out of the box. Besides, studies show that regular stimulation of the brain lowers the risk of life-threatening mental disorders like Alzheimer’s in the future. Also, the sense of accomplishment which one feels on getting something right boosts self-esteem. You can specifically look for science, math, language, or any other pool of brain games according to your kid’s interest on the internet, and you’ll find many such fun activities for kids at home. -
Write Emails
Something as simple and regular as writing emails can be one of the most productive things to do when bored for kids. In today’s world, the ability to write a good email is nothing short of a necessity. A habit of writing emails proves to be extremely helpful for job or college applications, business communication, or any formal communication for that matter. Sooner or later, your kids will learn it too. So why not now when they have the time to both learn and practice it well? Other than improving their grammar, vocabulary, and ability to express feelings through words, writing emails can lead to closer relationships. Your child will develop a special bond when writing emails to a grandparent or another family member or a friend regularly. Moreover, everyone loves to get mails from a loved one. Your kid will light up every time they receive a new mail and what would you not give for that smile! -
Bake Away!
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Definitely among the most fun activities for kids at home, baking is something that most kids will enjoy. Not only will it let you spend cherished time with your young ones, but will also brush their basic science and math. The Kitchen is your home’s chemistry lab. While baking, kids will learn various measurements such as cups, teaspoons, and tablespoons. They will also understand fractions as well as utilize addition and subtraction skills. Bringing in the science, they will learn what happens when certain ingredients are mixed together as well as what happens when the measurements are incorrect. It can be one of the best things to do when bored for kids. After all, they get to enjoy sweet treats at the end! -
‘When I Grow Up’ Poster
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One of the most fun things to do at home for kids is where you ask your kids to make a poster that tells what they want to be when they grow up. It involves researching the career options they are interested in – duties and responsibilities, skills needed, interesting facts, and required education. They can also include why they chose a certain career. Putting it down on the poster in a creative manner, will give them clarity regarding career paths, highlight the gap between their interest and capabilities, and kindle enthusiasm to follow their dreams. This may not be their final decision but this is one of the things to do with kids at home which gets them thinking about their future! -
Coding
One of the most productive things to do when bored is to learn a new beneficial skill such as coding. The ability code can lend you an edge over others in multiple spheres of life and will also make it easier for you to use modern-day technology to your advantage. Statistics say that “Seven million job openings in 2015 were in occupations which value coding” which makes the knowledge of coding a treasured possession. Apart from this, learning to code shows significant development in cognitive abilities like memory and problem-solving along with creativity.
Enroll today for a FREE live demo session Your kids can learn this skill through online courses, one of which is the ‘Introduction to Programming’ course by STEMpedia. This course can be one of the best things to do when bored for kids as it teaches the basics of coding in a fun and interactive manner with a learning by doing approach. It includes all that your kids need to kick start their journey of coding like engaging live sessions and quizzes and assignments with Scratch coding as the base and a COVID-19 theme-based challenge at the end of the course proving its relevance to the times. One of the most fun activities for kids at home and an ideal way to learn coding for beginners, this course can also be taken up by adults and allows families to bond while they all learn together.
Also read: Quarantine Parents Guide: Activities for Kids at Home to Fight Boredom
In a Nutshell
The virus can confine your kids at home but can’t confine their enthusiasm to learn with various fun things to do at home. There are myriad productive things to do when bored and the ones mentioned here will certainly please you and your kids. So, whenever you look for things to do when bored for kids, give these activities a try and they’ll bring out the best in them.
Feature image from rawpixel.com
