Why Boredom Is Good for Kids: A School Counselor’s Guide to Building Creativity and Independence

Summer is a time of relaxation and freedom.  It’s unstructured days and late nights;  movies and picnics, wild roller coaster rides at the theme park and lazy days poolside.  But eventually something will probably rear it’s ugly head.  It’s the dreaded “B” word. My own kids would usually bring it up after a particularly eventful day spent at the local amusement or water park, where we had been on the go from dawn to dusk.  Just as we get home and I collapse on the sofa, they whine pitifully, “I’m bored.”

In our always tuned in and turned on world, I believe we’ve created our own monster. Kids nowadays expect nonstop entertainment and often we as parents or even educators believe that we are responsible for providing it.  We enroll our kids in camps and classes, go on family vacations and visit local attractions.  By the end of the summer, we are all exhausted.  Instead of being refreshed and renewed, we are tired and frustrated.

In today’s fast-paced, screen-driven world, many children rarely experience true boredom. Yet for elementary school counselors, understanding the benefits of boredom in kids is essential. Boredom is not a problem to fix—it’s a developmental opportunity.

When children are constantly entertained, they miss out on critical chances to build internal resources like creativity, persistence, and self-direction. Teaching students to embrace boredom helps them become more confident, capable, and emotionally resilient.

Teaching children to manage their own free time and create their own activities is an important skill.  When we don’t learn to do this as children, we grow up to be adults who expect to be entertained as well.  Know anyone like that?

The Benefits of Being Bored

1. Boosts Creativity and Imagination

Boredom forces the brain to “fill in the gaps.” Without external stimulation, children begin to imagine, invent, and explore ideas on their own.

2. Builds Problem-Solving Skills

When there’s “nothing to do,” kids must figure out what to do. This develops executive functioning and flexible thinking.

3. Encourages Independence

Children learn they are responsible for their own engagement—not adults, not devices.

4. Strengthens Emotional Regulation

Boredom can feel uncomfortable. Learning to tolerate that discomfort builds patience and resilience.

5. Supports Intrinsic Motivation

Kids begin to pursue activities because they want to—not because they are told to or rewarded.

6. Enhances Focus and Attention

Unstructured time allows the brain to reset, improving concentration when structured tasks return.

Why Kids Struggle with Boredom

Elementary students often resist boredom because:

• They are used to constant stimulation (screens, structured schedules)
• They lack practice with open-ended play
• They fear making the “wrong” choice
• They rely on adults for direction

This is where school counselors can step in—not to eliminate boredom, but to teach kids how to navigate it productively.

Strategies to Teach Kids Responsibility for Entertaining Themselves

1. Normalize Boredom

Teach students that boredom is a signal, not a problem. Use phrases like:
“Boredom is your brain getting ready to create something new.”

2. Avoid Immediately “Fixing” It

When a child says, “I’m bored,” resist giving instant solutions. Instead, guide them with questions.

3. Create a “Boredom Toolkit”

Help students develop a personal list of go-to activities:

• Drawing or doodling
• Building (blocks, LEGO, crafts)
• Writing stories
• Outdoor exploration
• Inventing games

4. Teach Choice-Making

Give structured choices at first:
“Would you rather create something, explore something, or relax your mind?”

Gradually remove scaffolding as independence grows.

5. Use Counseling Lessons on Growth Mindset

Connect boredom to persistence and trying new things. Reinforce that not knowing what to do is the start of discovery.

6. Model Curiosity

Share examples:
“When I feel bored, I try something I’ve never done before.”

Questions Kids Can Use to Spark Creativity and Direction

Teach students to ask themselves:

• “What have I been wanting to try but haven’t yet?”
• “What can I create with what I already have?”
• “How can I make something more fun?”
• “What would I do if there were no rules?”
• “Can I turn this into a game?”
• “What problem can I solve right now?”
• “What would make me feel proud when I’m done?”
• “What story could I invent?”
• “What could I build, design, or improve?”
• “What would my future self thank me for doing?”

These questions help shift children from passive consumers to active creators.

Boredom isn’t wasted time—it’s training time for life skills.

When children learn to sit with boredom and respond creatively, they develop the exact abilities they need for success in school and beyond.

Watch how this imaginative nine year old filled his summer days at his Dad’s auto parts shop: