As a mum of three, I’ve heard the dreaded phrase, “I’m bored,” more times than I can count. And while handing over a tablet or turning on the TV is the easy solution, I’ve made it my mission to find creative, screen-free ways to keep my kids entertained—and maybe even sneak in a bit of learning along the way!
Here are some of my favourite boredom busters that have worked wonders in our home.
Treasure Hunts with a Twist
Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? Whether indoors or outside, I love to create scavenger hunts with riddles, clues and even small challenges along the way. To make it extra fun, I theme them – harry potter, spies, pirates, or even magical creatures. It keeps my kids engaged and gets them moving!
For added excitement, I add different types of clues, like picture puzzles for younger kids or coded messages that require simple ciphers for older ones. And I also like to hide small prizes at the end – stickers, homemade medals, or even the ingredients for a fun treat we can make together.
One of our favourite variations is the ‘reverse treasure hunt’, where the kids hide the treasure and create clues for me to follow. Not only does this keep them entertained, but it also encourages them to think critically and practice problem – solving. Another fun version is a glow in the dark hunt – perfect for evenings or sleepovers. We use glow sticks or write clues with invisible ink (lemon juice and a heat source work wonders!) to add an extra layer of mystery.
DIY Obstacle Course
Using pillows, ropes, chairs and anything else lying around, we set up obstacle courses in the garden or living room. The kids love timing themselves and racing each other. It’s a great way to burn energy, and let’s be honest – wear them out before bedtime!
To make it even more exciting, I add challenges at each station, like hopping on one foot, crawling under a blanket tunnel or balancing something on their heads while walking a straight line. We also like to switch up the course each time, adding items like hula hoops for jumping through, pool noodles as hurdles, or even a simple string laser maze for them to navigate.
If we are outdoors, I often use chalk or draw paths and circles for jumping, not forgetting the finish line! And one of my kid’s favourite twists is turning the course into a ninja training ground or superhero mission – giving them a fun storyline keeps them engaged and makes them feel like they are part of an adventure.
Kitchen Science Experiments
I’ve found that simple science activities keep my kids entertained for ages. We grow crystals, make baking soda volcanoes, or mix colours with food dye and milk. These little experiments feel like little magic and best of all, you only need to use everyday household items.
To add to the excitement, we usually turn our kitchen into a mini lab with aprons and goggles, making the experience feel even more special. One of our favourites is making a fascinating non – Newtonian fluid that’s solid when you press it but turns liquid when you let it sit. Another hit is making homemade slime using glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution or you can get one here.
We’ve also tried inflating balloons with baking soda and vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction afterward!
Cardboard Creations
Never underestimate the power of an empty cardboard box, that’s why cats love it so much too! My kids have turned them into castles, post office, supermarket and rocket ships. With some crayons, paper, glue and little imagination, a cardboard box can become anything!
To make it even more interactive, we often create entire cardboard cities, with tunnels, bridges and roads. We built puppet theatres and made our own sock puppet shows. The possibilities are endless, and the best part is that it encourages problem-solving and storytelling in hands-on way.
Storytelling Jar
We have a jar filled with random words (places, characters and objects). The kids take turns picking out words and making up stories around them. It’s hilarious to see their creativity unfold, and its fantastic way to build their storytelling skills.
To take it up a notch, we act out the stories like a mini play, complete with props and costumes. Another fun variation is writing down parts of a story in turns – one person stats, then another adds to it, leading to some truly wacky and unexpected tales.
Nature Art and Outdoor Adventures
A simple walk in the park or the garden can turn into an adventure. We usually collect leaves, stones and twigs to create nature collages. Sometimes, we go bug hunting or even make mud pies which can get messy!
For an extra challenge, we make DIY bookmarks from collected leaves and flowers.
DIY Board Games
We love making our own board games. My kids will design the board, come up with the rules and even create game pieces. It’s a fun activity that keeps them engaged for hours!
To add to the fun, we usually theme our board games around their favourite movies or books. We also create spinner games and dice-rolling challenges, which bring in elements of strategy and luck. It’s a great way to encourage creativity, friendly competition and logic.
Dance Parties and Music Challenges
Nothing lifts the mood like a spontaneous dance party! We also do musical challenges like freeze dance or create silly songs together. It’s a great way to release energy and get everyone laughing.
To mix things up, we often play “guess that song” or “dance like a …”. Or you can also do a dance-off where each child gets to choreograph a short routine to perform it.
Indoor Camping
We build fort blankets, set up sleeping bags and tell spooky stories by torchlight. It transforms an ordinary evening into something special and my kids absolutely love it.
Sometimes, we take it even further by “cooking” pretend campfire meals, watching pretend movies, making shadow puppets on the walls or playing nature soundtracks to set the mood. If we are feeling ambitious, we even have a picnic dinner inside our fort, making it a full-fledged adventure.
Helping in the Kitchen
Kids love being involved in baking and cooking. I let them measure, decorate and mix their own snacks. It not only keeps them occupied but also teaches them valuable skills – and sometimes results in delicious treats!
One of our favourite is homemade pizzas, where they get to choose their own toppings. For an extra learning element, we talk about measurements and fractions while we cook, turning it into an impromptu maths lesson!
Final Thoughts
Boredom isn’t a bad thing – it sparks creativity. I’ve found that when I step back and provide the right tools or ideas, my kids come up with incredible ways to entertain us all. And the best part? These screen-free activities bring us closer together and create memories far better than any app ever could.
Do you have any favourite boredom busters you’d want to share? I’d love to hear them!