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Blog Updates

Know! To Hop Off The "Let Them Be Bored" Bandwagon

6/30/2021

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There has been a lot of talk about the benefit of “letting kids be bored”. Those in favor will argue that young people are overscheduled and need downtime. They believe boredom sparks creativity and encourages autonomy.

Though the research is slim-to-none to back up these claims, they are valid points. Many children are overscheduled and could benefit from some downtime and lazy days over the summer months. And yes, boredom certainly can cause youth to get creative in how they end up spending their time.

However, there are also problems with each of these arguments. Relaxing downtime is not the same as relentless boredom. Relaxing downtime will refresh and recharge a child; relentless boredom will leave a child feeling displeased, discontented, and dissatisfied. And while being bored can cause youth to get creative, that creativity is not always positive, safe or healthy.

In fact, according to “The Case Against Boredom,” shared by the Institute for Family Studies, “Teens who are often bored are 50% more likely than their peers to take up smoking, drinking and illegal drugs. And it is one the most frequent triggers for binge eating.” Boredom is associated with other negative outcomes, as well.

While we should not be expected to keep our children entertained 24/7, as parents and other caregivers, it is our responsibility to help them explore their own creative interests in a safe and beneficial way.

In the previous tip, we shared ideas on working together to create a Summer Bucket List. In this tip, we encourage you and your child to come up with a Summer Boredom Busters list for days when a little inspiration is needed.

Here are just 25 of the 100+ Things for Teens To Do This Summer shared by StudentDen.com:
  1. Go to a thrift store or garage sale and find something oddly fabulous for your wardrobe or room.
  2. Stargaze from the top of your roof (safely) or the backyard.
  3. Take up the ukulele or some other instrument.
  4. Do something kind for someone—a neighbor, a family member or a complete stranger.
  5. Get creative! Draw, paint or make a collage portrait.
  6. Pretend to be a tourist and visit the top attractions in your town.
  7. Climb a tree.
  8. Write and produce a film or play with your friends.
  9. Have a scream-a-thon. Invite your friends and watch scary movies!
  10. Re-create a childhood photo (you’re a lot bigger now).
  11. Try out a new sport (frisbee golf, bocce ball, field hockey, etc.).
  12. Relax in a hammock.
  13. Go fishing.
  14. Run through the sprinklers.
  15. Make some homemade soap.
  16. Organize a tug-of-war.
  17. Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows or make s’mores.
  18. Make a root beer float.
  19. Teach yourself to do a handstand.
  20. Have a water balloon fight.
  21. Write a song, poem or short story.
  22. Have a backyard potluck with friends.
  23. Make your own slip-n-slide with plastic garbage bags.
  24. Host a game of capture-the-flag.
  25. Read a book while sunbathing (don’t forget the sunscreen).


Encourage your child(ren) to circle the ones that spark their interest, cross off the ones that do not, add to the list with their own ideas, then post on the fridge for those “there’s nothing to do” kind of days.

While kids certainly need downtime to recharge and refresh, keeping them engaged and active is essential to their mental and physical well-being, and will help them avoid the pitfalls that summer boredom may bring. 

Sources
Justin Coulson, Institute for Family Studies: The Case Against Boredom. Feb 2019.
StudentDen.com: 100+ Things for Teens to Do This Summer. July 2019.
About Know! Parent Tips
Everyone has a role in prevention. By reading and sharing this Know! Parent Tip today, you’re doing your part to prevent substance misuse and create a healthier world for all.

We created these free parent tips to empower parents like you. Know! helps you promote health and wellness and protect the young person in your life from unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. However, we rely on donations from people like you to provide these tips. If you found this tip interesting or helpful, please consider donating at preventionactionalliance.org/donate.
Know! Parent Tips are provided by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Education, and Start Talking!.

Know! Parent Tips are also available in Spanish at the Know! archives.
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  • Home
  • About
    • Executive Committee
    • Knox Opioid Response and Recovery
    • KSAAT Agencies and Partners
    • Teen Advisory Council
  • Data
    • Pride 2021
    • PRIDE 2019
    • PRIDE 2017
    • PRIDE Data Archive
  • News
    • Blog Updates
    • Community Assessments
  • Harm Reduction
    • Drug Take Back Day
    • Narcan
    • Safe Rx Disposal
  • Events
    • Alcohol Awareness Month
    • Communities Coming Together Conference
    • International Overdose Awareness Day August 31
    • Knox Photo Contest
    • KSAAT Calendar
    • Recovery Softball Game
    • TAC Color Run
  • Resources
    • Youth Resources
    • Educator Resources
    • Local Resources
    • National Resources
    • Parent Resources
    • State Resources
    • Virtual Resources
  • Contact