How to Stop Boredom in Children

Children have bundles of energy and minds that need to be constantly stimulated. Many times when children are not stimulated they complain of being bored. Instead of letting them play video games or watch TV all day, try planning educational activities and fun traditional learning games for them to participate in.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Music
• Family photos
• Computer
• Poster Board
• Camera
• Tape or glue
• Scissors

1. Try a traditional game of Charades the next time your kids complain of boredom. You can buy the Kids Charades game online or at any kids toy store. The game is fun for adults too, and teaches children new skills as well as how to use their creativity and imagination.

2. Try educational computer games instead of letting kids playing video games or watching TV. Some educational computer games can be found online for free (see Resources below).

3. Have your kids do a fun and easy collage project. Get out all of your old magazines and newspapers and tell the kids to cut out pictures that show things they want to do, places they want to go, and what they want to be when they grow up. Then have them paste, glue or tape the pictures on a big poster board. When they are finished let them explain their collage project to you.

4. Plan a visit to your local library, museum, arts and science center or zoo at least once a week (or more if you are a stay-at-home parent). Have the kids write a report about what they liked or didn't like and what they learned during their weekly excursions. If your children are small and can't write, let them tell you what they liked or didn't like. Engage them in conversation about the excursion.

5. Get out old family photos and tell your children about all the funny stories and people in their family. Do a family tree project so kids can learn about their family history.

6. Get out and exercise with the kids. Sign the kids up at your local community center and join in recreational sports and activities such as ballet, karate, soccer, baseball, football and swimming. If you don't have a local community or recreational center, find out if there is a local YMCA that you can join or some other fitness club for families. If not, go to your local parks and take a nature walk or play on the playground.
   
   You can opt to stay in doors and turn on some of your favorite music or your kids' favorite music) and dance. Dancing can be fun and great exercise. Add more family fun by getting out a camera and taking pictures of each other doing the latest dances, or show them some of the old dances you used to do in high school (they'll get a kick out of that). Later or you can make a "Dancing" family photo album.

7. Have your kids help you out in the kitchen while you're preparing dinner. Let the kids make a sign and turn mom's kitchen into a cool restaurant. They can pretend they are preparing a meal for a famous entertainer or act like they are a famous chef. You can take this time to teach them some cooking basics and they'll appreciate you including them.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage kids to have fun by acting out and being a big fun kid yourself.
• Allow kids to have a choice between what types of fun educational activities they want to participate in, and do not make watching TV an option.
• The more quality time you spend with your children, the more they will listen, respect and appreciate you.
• After getting books at the library, take time to read to your children, or have them read to you.
• Never leave small children alone by themselves in the kitchen.
• Monitor small children with scissors or purchase safety scissors.
• Monitor children on the computer to ensure they don't access inappropriate websites.

Resources

• Educational games
• Educational games