When Boredom Strikes – 4 Ways to Keep Kids Engaged And Active
Most parents would like to see their kids occupied doing things that help them develop skills. But kids, on the other hand, might find themselves bored — especially when they are unoccupied, youngsters usually seek out the attention of their parents. Indeed, parents cannot be heroes all the time, attending to the needs of their kids’ time in and time out. Unfortunately, kids look up to parents as the ultimate problem solvers even though parents might be anxious, paranoid, battling through their challenges. No parent or caregiver wants their kids to sit around bored for hours, so what’s the right way to handle such a situation? We spoke to experts to get their thoughts on the best ways to help kids get active and deal with boredom.
Studies prove that kids should be struck by boredom sometimes in a day, as it comes with some benefits along the way. With children overscheduled and overstimulated these days, experts recommend that parents view bored kids as an opportunity, rather than a burden. Therapists say boredom is essential for kids because it leads to increased creativity and helps them to grow in important ways. Boredom gives them the benefit of being creative, taking up responsibilities, and managing later mid-life crises too. In a way, boredom is natural and can be a driving force for children to seek out innovative outlets of self-expression and entertainment. The free time that a kid gets is vital. It helps the kids to introspect, think out of the box, and come up with new exciting ideas. Such kids grow up to be young individuals who thrive with creativity.
“When a child is bored, they are learning that they need to create their own fun and entertainment,” says Heidi McBain, a Texas-based therapist specializing in Family and Play. “They need to explore their world. They need to learn new things on their own.”
It’s important to remember that a child saying that they are bored doesn’t mean that they have run out of fun things to do. It means that what they see in front of them isn’t stimulating or interesting. It may also be a sign that they just need some adult attention. Cuddling for a few moments on the couch with a child may be enough to reset their busy minds and recharge their batteries. Along with the magic of cuddling, you can follow these insightful steps for kids to escape boredom and hone their creative skills at the same time:
It’s important to remember that a child saying that they are bored doesn’t mean that they have run out of fun things to do. It means that what they see in front of them isn’t stimulating or interesting. It may also be a sign that they just need some adult attention.
Cuddling for a few moments on the couch with a child may be enough to reset their busy minds and recharge their batteries. Along with the magic of cuddling, you can follow these insightful steps for kids to escape boredom and hone their creative skills at the same time:
Cook with them
This point is not just to strike boredom away, it is also important for survival purposes. So get your kids to cook fun and healthy dishes that involve their interests like cakes, chocolaty dishes, and healthy recipes at the same time. This will prepare them for future days of their life too.
Wash the car
This activity is another responsibility-developing task that enables the child to understand technology and automobiles. The child also learns useful skills to maintain materials of a great investment. This is not just about washing a car and keeping it clean, but also about understanding the dynamics and functionalities of an automobile.
Have a dance party
Create a playlist with kids ahead of time and then put it on when they choose this option. By the time they’re done dancing and singing along to their favorite songs, they’ll not be bored kids anymore!
Engage in fitness sessions at home
Growing kids need attention and there’s no doubt about it. One such way to engage with them as well as help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep the boredom away is to practice fitness at home. While focusing on other aspects of life, fitness for kids in India is not something that is taken very seriously. Try building a schedule for exercise and fitness activities every day, which you can be part of. This way, they will naturally get tired and also reap the benefits of a good ol’ session of physically challenging exercises.
These are just a few sure-shot ways of keeping your kid away from boredom most of the time. Even if kids feel bored sometimes, there’s definitely nothing to be paranoid about — after all, now you know a relatively easy way to get those creative juices flowing!
UpUgo’s fitness programs are the most reliable way to keep your kids away from boredom and at the same time maintain their physical fitness. Enroll your child in our exciting sessions today and gift them a healthier lifestyle.