Children tend to get bored easily. You might often find your kids glaring at their or probably your mobile phone rather than playing outdoors. Be it a 2-years old or a 5-years old, children, like adults, are drawn to the dopamine hit that flashy mobile screens deliver. They are captivated, and the curiosity leads them to prolonged exposure to screen time.

 

A 2021 population-based cross-sectional study conducted on 718 children in India, published in PLoS One journal reveals that 89 percent of toddlers under the age of 24 months are exposed to early screen time. Based on this study, children require education to restrict screen time at the preliminary healthcare level. Screen time has become a cause of concern for most parents. Longer screen time is associated with developing poor eating habits, sleeping disorders, vision problems like myopia or nearsightedness, and unsatisfactory academic performance. Research in 2021 published in the International Journal of Contemporary Paediatrics in India shows that excessive screen time in young children is a major reason for sedentary behaviour. A study of 450 children (below 15 years) concluded that 43.1 percent of children use mobile for 1-3 hours. It showed laziness, decreased physical activities, and a rise in temper or fit in kids.

 

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One way to help your child explore other ways to spend time would be to channel their creativity. Artistic creativity and self-expression can help children relax and combat boredom. A 2014 study issued in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that art or the ability to create from imagination results in happiness due to the release of dopamine that helps to fight boredom and stress. Dopamine is the chemical or neurotransmitter which is responsible for inducing pleasure and happiness.

 

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10 Engaging Activities For Kids When Boredom Strikes

 

1. Bicycle riding: According to research published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition And Physical Activity, in 2011 children who cycle regularly have an alert mind and are more active. If you have a toddler, then you can help in riding the tricycle or if he/she is old enough to handle the bike then motivate your child to explore the neighbourhood or park with friends to be physically active and build social skills.

 

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2. Jumping on a trampoline: Trampoline is one of the best fun activities for kids and parents alike. You can participate in this game along with your children. It is a vigorous aerobic exercise that increases metabolism and improves bone density.

 

3. Playing chess: Chess can be a rewarding game and a great way for you to interact with your child. Chess helps in boosting IQ, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity in elementary children, says a 2016 study published in the Journal Of Psychology.

 

4. Arranging an indoor picnic: To make leisure time more enjoyable, set a picnic spot in your backyard or balcony, or living room with a mini tent. Tap into the feeling of adventure and let them invite their toys or friends to a tea party or a mystery adventure.

 

5. Solving simple riddles: Use simple and funny questions or jumbled sentences. Start with something like, ‘I have a face and hands, but cannot smile. What am I?’ or ‘I have a head and a tail, but not a body. What am I?’ Your kid’s answers might surprise you.

 

6. Sketching and drawing: Bringing up artistic quality in children at a young age is necessary to develop their creative side. And, nothing is better than sketching and drawing. Hand them some colored pencils or crayons and blank sheets. You could even just ask them to scribble away on old newspapers!

 

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7. Practising origami: Making paper boats is nostalgic for many of us. Origami can be a fun skill to know. Make it memorable by setting competitions amongst kids in a tub filled with water or let them enjoy the rainwater runoff.

 

8. Fun yoga at home: You can teach kids fun yoga to relax after study or playtime to help them manage big feelings and kill fatigue. Some easy yoga poses that can be easily adapted by kids are Virabhadrasana (Warrior pose), Vrikshasana (Tree Pose), Suryanamaskar, Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), and Shavasana (Corpse Pose).

 

9. Play hide and seek: Toddlers love hiding behind a curtain and laughing loudly when caught. Isn’t that adorable? So, play hide and seek games with your child. Increase the difficulty level for your toddler by hiding yourself in difficult-to-find places.

 

10. Create a house: Building the house takes time and effort to set each block piece in the right place. It can be a great way to help improve attention and focus. Ask your kid to assemble blocks or even pillows and sheets. You could also use old cardboard boxes to build forts or slides. Get creative!