Does the famous "I'm bored..." echo through the house as soon as the screens go off? Far from being a problem, boredom is actually an incredible opportunity for your children aged 6 to 12. It's the fertile ground for creativity, the spark that ignites autonomy, and the first step toward greater self-confidence.
This article isn't for teenagers, but for you, visionary parents. Our goal is to guide you in transforming these moments of apparent emptiness into deeply enriching adventures. Wondering how to respond to your child's boredom? We have the answer.
This guide offers 8 concrete, actionable ways to help your child discover their inner resources, develop their vibrant imagination, and grow up peacefully, free from constant pressure. Together, we'll learn to see boredom not as an enemy to be fought, but as a superpower to be cultivated. Get ready to transform "I don't know what to do" into "I have a great idea!"
1. The Little Inventor's Workshop: Explore a new creative skill
Boredom is often the prelude to creativity. When your child is wondering what to do, it's the perfect time to turn that void into an opportunity for expression. By encouraging them to explore a new manual or artistic skill, you're giving them more than just an activity: you're giving them the keys to building their self-confidence and discovering new facets of their personality. Each small creation becomes a tangible victory, a reminder of their abilities.
This approach is particularly effective for children who need to channel their energy constructively. It teaches them patience, focus, and the satisfaction of seeing a project take shape from start to finish.
How to set up a creative workshop?
Turning your child's boredom into a creative moment just takes a few simple ideas and a few supplies. You don't need to be an artist to guide them. The goal is to provide a supportive environment where they can experiment without fear of judgment.
- Create a comic strip : on a simple sheet of paper, ask him to draw an adventure with his favorite characters.
- Learning music : a few ukulele or guitar chords, found on an online video, can be enough to create a first melody.
- Write and illustrate a story : This comprehensive activity develops both imagination and fine motor skills. Materials like the My Book Story notebook can help structure your story.
- Make jewelry : Friendship bracelets with cotton thread or beaded necklaces are quick and rewarding projects.
Practical advice: Prepare a "creation box" with a variety of materials (paper, scissors, glue, markers, wool, modeling clay, etc.). Leave it accessible so your child can grab it spontaneously whenever the urge strikes. Autonomy is a powerful driver of creativity.
2. Do sports or physical exercise
Boredom is often a signal that the body and mind need to exercise. When your child is wondering what to do, directing them toward physical activity is a simple and incredibly beneficial solution. Moving isn't just a distraction; it's a fundamental need for their physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, the "happy hormones," which improve mood and reduce stress, while providing a healthy outlet for their boundless energy.
Introducing exercise as a way to combat boredom helps your child associate physical activity with a sense of well-being and accomplishment. It's a positive habit that will last a lifetime, teaching them how to take care of their bodies and actively manage their emotions.
How can I encourage him to move?
The goal isn't to aim for performance, but to find joy in movement. Offer a variety of activities so they can discover what they really enjoy, without pressure or competition. The important thing is that the activity becomes a source of joy, not a chore.
- Follow an online session : Many YouTube channels offer short, fun workouts suitable for younger children, such as yoga or dance sessions.
- Discover a board sport : Skateboarding, rollerblading or scootering are fun activities that develop balance and coordination.
- Organize family challenges : A short obstacle course in the garden or a few minutes of dancing to some upbeat music can turn boredom into a moment of sharing.
- Explore nature : A simple bike ride, a hike in the forest, or a run in a park are great ways to reconnect with the outdoors.
Practical tip: Leave sports equipment (ball, skipping rope, rackets) clearly visible and easy to access. If the urge to move is easy to satisfy, your child will be more likely to choose this option spontaneously. Set an example by being active yourself; family sports are a powerful motivator.
3. Cook and experiment in the kitchen
Cooking is much more than just a chore; it's a true playground and learning ground for a pre-teen. When your child is wondering what to do, inviting them into the kitchen is a great way to turn their boredom into a practical and rewarding skill. Cooking develops independence, precision, and creativity, while providing immediate satisfaction: that of enjoying the fruits of their labor.
By learning to follow a recipe, measure ingredients, and master simple technical skills, your child will gain confidence. Each successful dish is a small victory that reinforces their sense of competence and encourages them to take initiative.
How to introduce him to the joys of cooking?
You don't need to be a master chef to guide your child through their first culinary experiences. The goal is to offer them challenges they can achieve in a fun, pressure-free atmosphere. Cooking then becomes a time for sharing and discovery.
- Prepare a snack or a simple dessert : Suggest making a yogurt cake, pancakes, or cookies. These are timeless and satisfying classics.
- Invent a family recipe : A mixed salad, a homemade pizza... Let him choose the ingredients and create a unique dish. It's a great way to develop his creativity.
- Follow a suitable video tutorial : Many children's channels offer simple and fun recipes that are easy to follow step by step.
- Create your own dish : Once you have learned the basics, encourage them to invent their own smoothie, pizza or mixed salad recipe with the available ingredients.
Helpful tip: Before you begin, read the recipe from start to finish together and prepare all the necessary ingredients and utensils. This method, called "mise en place," is used by professional chefs and helps organize work, reduce stress, and avoid mistakes.
4. Read books or listen to podcasts
Immersing yourself in a story, whether read or listened to, is a great remedy for boredom and a gateway to infinite worlds. When a young person is wondering what to do next, inviting them to immerse themselves in a book or podcast is a way to fuel their imagination, expand their vocabulary, and develop their concentration skills. It's a calming activity that allows them to escape without a screen while gaining new knowledge on topics they're passionate about.
This narrative immersion helps children develop empathy by putting themselves in the characters' shoes and better understanding complex contexts. Far from being a simple activity, reading or active listening stimulates critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, valuable skills for personal development.
How can I encourage him to read or listen?
To make reading or listening a reflex against boredom, the ideal is to make this activity accessible and attractive. The goal isn't to impose a classic, but to help them find the format and genre that suits them, transforming a potential chore into a real pleasure.
- Explore all genres : Adventure novels, comics, manga, non-fiction books... The diversity of formats allows us to appeal to all tastes.
- Discover audio : Narrative podcasts like France Inter's Les Odyssées or Mythes et Légendes offer a captivating alternative. Audiobooks are also a great option.
- Create a family reading ritual : Read a chapter aloud every night, even if your child can read. This shared time strengthens bonds and associates reading with pleasure.
- Visit the library or a bookstore : Let them choose their next reading material. Autonomy in choosing is a powerful motivator.
Helpful tip: Create a cozy reading nook with cushions, good lighting, and a small, accessible bookcase. Alternating between reading paper and listening to podcasts can be adapted to different times of the day: reading before bed and listening to a podcast while commuting or doing crafts.
5. Play video games creatively
Far from being a passive activity, video games can become a wonderful platform for expression and learning for your child. When the question of "what to do when bored" arises, guiding your child toward a creative approach to gaming transforms screen time into a constructive experience. It allows them to develop problem-solving skills, collaborate, and share their passions, all while having fun.
This approach values video games as a tool for creation and interaction. When properly supervised, gaming can strengthen logic, planning, and perseverance—essential qualities that extend well beyond the screen.
How to turn play into a creative activity?
Guiding your child into this world doesn't require you to be an expert. It's about encouraging them to see play not as an end in itself, but as a starting point for new creative adventures.
- Create in virtual worlds : Games like Minecraft are digital sandboxes. Have them build a house, a city, or even replicate a famous landmark.
- Play strategy or puzzle games : Titles like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing stimulate long-term planning, resource management, and creativity.
- Collaborate as a family : Games like Overcooked or Mario Kart are perfect for sharing moments and laughter, strengthening team spirit.
- Discover game creation : Platforms like Scratch (developed by MIT) allow children to learn the basics of coding in a fun way by creating their own games.
Practical tip: Establish clear rules about playtime and discuss online interactions together. Encourage them to use play as a springboard: a Minecraft build can inspire a real-life model, and team play can strengthen friendships. The goal is to balance the virtual and the real.
6. Getting started with digital creation: a first step towards the digital world
Is your child spending time on YouTube? What if, instead of passively consuming content, they became a little creator themselves? Boredom is a great opportunity to turn their fascination with screens into a creative and technical skill. By supporting them in their first steps, you teach them how to use these tools actively and responsibly, while developing their confidence and organizational skills.
This activity allows them to understand the behind-the-scenes aspects of what they watch every day. From writing a short script to the final edit, each step is a learning opportunity. It's a constructive answer to the question "what to do when you're bored" that connects their interests to concrete skills.
How can we support him in creating content?
When guiding your child through this world, the goal isn't to create a buzz, but to have fun and learn. Your role is to provide a safe environment so they can explore their creativity with confidence.
- Create a mini-report : on a subject that fascinates him (animals, his favorite construction game, a cooking recipe).
- Create a simple tutorial : how to draw a character, do a magic trick or perform a spinning top.
- Make a stop-motion short film : with toys or modeling clay, this technique is magical and develops patience.
- Launch a video book club : he can summarize and give his opinion on the books he has read, an excellent way to link reading and digital creation.
Practical advice: Safety first. Set clear rules: no personal information (name, school), parental approval before posting, and use of private accounts. The goal is to learn the technique (filming, editing, storytelling) in a controlled, family-friendly environment.
7. Organize outings with friends
When your child is wondering what to do, boredom can become the driving force behind social interaction and independence. Encouraging them to organize outings with their friends is a great way to turn an empty afternoon into a memorable adventure. This approach goes far beyond simply keeping them busy: it develops organizational skills, a sense of responsibility, and strengthens friendships, which are so important at this age.
By taking the initiative, your child learns to plan, communicate, and collaborate. Every successful outing, whether it's a simple picnic or an afternoon of play, is a victory that builds their self-confidence and sense of belonging.
How can I help him plan a group activity?
Your role is to guide them without doing things for them. The goal is to give them the tools they need to take the reins, taking into account everyone's desires and constraints. It's a concrete learning experience about life in society.
- A picnic in the park is a simple and inexpensive idea. Everyone brings something to share, which makes each participant responsible.
- An afternoon of board games at home : let him choose the games, prepare the snack and lead the session.
- A trip to the pool or the movies : For a special occasion, helping them check schedules, organize transportation, and manage a small budget can be a great exercise.
- A neighborhood treasure hunt : ask them to create puzzles about famous places in your neighborhood and guide their friends on this adventure.
Helpful tip: Encourage them to call their friends to organize the activity, rather than doing it for them. Teach them to agree on a schedule and have a backup plan in case of bad weather. This strengthens their independence and social skills.
8. Open up to the world: learn a new language
Turning a moment of boredom into a gateway to the world is a great idea. When your child is wondering what to do when bored , suggesting learning a new language is an activity that stimulates both their brain and their curiosity. It's a skill that will serve them throughout their life, strengthening their memory, adaptability, and understanding of other cultures.
This approach promotes independence and discipline. Learning a few words each day becomes a rewarding routine that shows your child that with perseverance, they can achieve ambitious goals. It's a great way to structure their free time in a productive and rewarding way.
How to get started learning a language?
The advantage today is that the resources are fun, accessible, and often free. The goal isn't to replicate a school lesson, but to pique their curiosity by varying the approaches. The goal is to make learning fun and relevant for them.
- Use gamified apps : Platforms like Duolingo or Babbel turn learning into a game with short lessons and rewards.
- Watching cartoons in their original language : Start with French subtitles, then switch to subtitles in the original language to combine sound and writing.
- Listen to songs : Learning the lyrics to your favorite songs in another language is a fun and effective way to memorize vocabulary.
- Explore bilingual books : Many children's books are available in bilingual versions, making it easy to compare texts.
Helpful tip: Encourage consistency over intensity. 15 minutes a day is better than a two-hour session once a week. Set small, achievable goals with him, such as learning to introduce himself or naming his favorite animals. Each success will motivate him to continue.
Comparing 8 Activities to Transform Boredom
| Activity | 🎯 Main objective | 👪 Parental involvement | 💡 Benefit for the child | ⭐ Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explore a creative skill | Developing imagination and confidence | Low to medium (prepare equipment) | Self-expression, fine motor skills, patience | Builds self-esteem through creation |
| Do sports | Channel energy and feel good | Low to high (encourage or participate) | Physical and mental health, stress management | Improves mood and concentration |
| Cooking with the family | Learn a practical skill | High (guide and supervise) | Autonomy, creativity, basics in nutrition | Sharing activity creating memories |
| Read or listen to a story | Nourish imagination and concentration | Low (create a conducive environment) | Vocabulary, empathy, general knowledge | Stimulates intellectual curiosity without a screen |
| Playing video games (creative) | Develop logic and strategy | Average (set a frame and be interested) | Problem solving, planning | Uses a passion to develop skills |
| Create digital content | Use screens actively | High (security and support) | Technical skills, organization | Transforms passive consumption into creation |
| Organize an outing with friends | Developing social autonomy | Average (guide without doing it for you) | Sense of responsibility, communication | Strengthens social bonds and independence |
| Learn a new language | Opening up to the world and stimulating the brain | Medium (encourage and provide tools) | Cultural curiosity, memory, discipline | Valuable skill for the future |
Boredom, Your Child's Development's Best Friend
As you can see, the question is no longer "what to do when you're bored?", but rather how to use this time to grow . What your child perceives as a void is actually a fertile space, an invitation to discover themselves and the world around them.
As you read through this article, you've discovered a wealth of ideas for turning that infamous complaint into a golden opportunity. Let's summarize the key points:
- Boredom is an opportunity: Far from being a problem to be solved, it's a catalyst for creativity, autonomy, and resilience. It encourages your child to seek out their own interests.
- Diversity is key: From physical activities to channel energy to creative projects like cooking or learning a language, each idea feeds a different side of her personality.
- The setting is more important than the solution: Your role is not to provide a ready-made answer, but to offer an environment rich in possibilities. Provide books, art materials, cooking ingredients, and let them explore.
The next time your child comes to you and says, "I'm bored," instead of panicking, see it as an opportunity. Suggest that they revisit this list not as a series of chores to complete, but as a menu from which they can pick and choose according to their mood.
Never forget: every moment of boredom transformed into a project, a game, or a moment of reflection is a victory for his self-confidence. You are teaching him a fundamental skill for life: knowing how to be alone with himself and transforming inaction into chosen action.
Ultimately, the goal is to equip them to become their own source of inspiration. By helping them tame boredom, you're not just giving them something to do for an afternoon; you're giving them the keys to a richer, more curious, and more fulfilling life. It's one of the greatest gifts you can give them to help build the adult they'll become tomorrow.
To accompany your child in this inner exploration and help them transform their free time into a powerful tool for growth, discover the My Book Story writing and drawing notebook. Designed specifically to guide 6-12 year olds, it is the ideal companion for documenting their ideas, projects and emotions, making every moment of boredom the starting point for a new adventure. Give them a space to cultivate their secret garden with the My Book Story notebook .