I have a proposition.
One that may quickly be rejected…but hear me out.
In the world of summer camps and paid fun where kids expect to be entertained at every turn, I propose…
Let them be bored.
Let kids stretch their imaginations.
Let them exercise muscles in their mind that have been complacent.
Let ideas come from thin air.
Let them be bored.
Long enough to explore.
Long enough to discover something new.
Long enough to question and wonder and awe.
Long enough to have an original thought.
Even longer so they can pursue that thought and develop it into something new.
Something improved.
Let them create and appreciate creation and therefore get a deeper glimpse at our Creator.
Let them draw and run and yes, even complain that they have “nothing to do”…so that they’ll find something to do.
Will you join me?
Will you let them be bored?
Camps and structured activities have their place.
I’m not opposed to them.
What I’m opposed to is a scripted childhood.
As much as we love and cherish structure and schedule in this house, do you know what one of our “structured” activities is?
PLAY.
Unscripted. Child-led. Fun.
“But they’ll drive me nuts” or “they’ll get in trouble”…you say.
And at first, they might.
Because maybe they’re a little out of practice.
But they’ll get better at it.
And with the right tools…
a child’s perspective, some simple toys & books, and the right environment…
they’ll be great at being bored by the end of summer.
And who knows where their minds will take them then?
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” – Dorothy Parker
Cindy says
Love what you said about imaginations – my boys always impress me with what they come up with!
Jenn L says
AMEN! Let them be bored, indeed. My kids want screen time constantly, but I reject that most of the time and tell them to GO PLAY. My 9 year old gets especially “bored” and even scoffs when I remind her of her room FULL of “fun” activities. In the end, though, they always find something to do! I love to listen to their imaginations running wild when they play together. 🙂
Cindy says
I feel like that pressure is there, too, and I’m trying to fight that urge to “fill our time” and just let them be bored :).
Cindy says
Thanks, Lisa!!
Cindy says
How awesome for you to grow up with your cousins; I did, too, and have lots of great memories!
Shell Feis says
I love this! I like to have my son enrolled in something, but I make sure I don’t pack his schedule. He thrives when he’s left to his own devices to play independently {or with me} sometimes and he needs that time to play freely.
Kimberly Grabinski says
Sometimes I feel guilty that I don’t plan stuff with my kids, but reading this really helps remind me of how important it is to just LET THEM PLAY, and forget trying to “keep them busy”.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
I soo needed this reminder. Thank you! I worry so much about keeping them busy, I sometimes forget that the best lessons come through exploration.
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
I do a ton of stuff with my kids but we also create a lot of time for imaginative play! Loved this post.
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting says
Gosh, I love you and I love this post! A-freaking-men! 🙂
Valerie Remy-Milora says
amen! I love letting my kids come up with creative ways to stay entertained. What they choose to do never seizes to amaze me. Nice have such treasured memories if my summers in Texas with my cousins. We did exactly that play and play and play in the backyard, in the Playhouse my grandpa had built for us, on the ranch, and making all sorts of crazy things from whatever was laying around– cardboard boxes, paper plates, popsicle sticks, whatever we found we always came up with something creative to do with them. I agree completely with what you’re saying kids today have too much structure stuff and we need to let them get back in touch with who they are and really work that creativity muscle and when they do stuff they come out with is truly amazing!
Cindy says
So true; and I’m so inspired by your 70 day camping trip! Not sure I could do it…but inspired! 🙂
Cindy says
That is great. That’s how I grew up and I loved it. I think the balance of having that one activity keeps them grounded, too, but a majority of the fun making falls on them.
Cindy says
exactly! love it! 🙂
Ericka Chatman says
Lol, I love this post. The other day I let my nieces “Be Bored.” They ended up cutting up a cardboard box and turned it into a dollhouse.
Liz Mays says
I’m actually very much of the same mindset. I had maybe one scheduled activity per child in the summer, but otherwise, it was up to them to make fun. And they did!
Wendy says
oh, my kids know NOT to tell me they’re bored. Being bored is the fastest way to get assigned a chore! They have always found things to do.
Teresa Foskey says
Great Post. Boredom never killed anyone. In fact, like you said kids are more creative when they are bored. When I was a kid we used to come up with some of the greatest and craziest games! Thanks for sharing.
Denine, from We Know Stuff says
I agree. I love when they’re bored…then they have to use their imaginations. 🙂
Digna D. says
Great post. I have never really thought about it in that light before. Thank you for sharing.
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
I’ve never been the type to constantly entertain. That doesnt happen in life – why do that as kids? LOL
Kecia says
I have never thought about boredom in such a positive way! Now that I am a mom, I wholeheartedly agree with play time that is unstructured and child-centered.
Kathleen says
I am a huge believer in this mentality. In fact, when my boys are unplugged on our 70 day trip, I hear plenty of “I’m boreds,” but in the next moment they use their imaginations and find something else to do.