Things For Kids to Do When Bored: Free Printable

Bored and stuck at home? Check out this list of things to do when bored for kids, screen-free! It is a great list for things for kids to do when at home bored.

Your kids don’t have to spend all their time off from school in front of a screen.  If kids are bored, help them out with these boredom ideas to keep them busy and entertained! 

Sometimes kids only need a new idea to kick boredom out the window.  Use these ideas to keep them playing, using their imaginations and learning. They may even be helpful with these fun ideas! 

Most of these “I’m bored” ideas use materials on hand and won’t cost you a dime.  Help kids find their best boredom busters while home.

No more, “Mom, I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!” 

Grown-ups, you can use this list too! Find something fun to do instead of shopping or spending money when you are bored this summer or all year round!

Things to do when BORED Checklist:

Have you: 

“B” – Been helpful or kind?

“O” – Outside play?

“R” – Read a book or learned something new?

“E” – Exercised? 

“D” – Done something creative – build, create, play, cook?

Fun Things for Kids to Do: “I’m Bored” Checklist

“B” – Been helpful or kind?

• Clean your room
• Help with a chore
• Water the plants 
• feed, water, or exercise the dog
• Wash the car
• Try a new snack recipe
• Help make dinner
• Write a letter to a soldier 
• Dust for your parents
• Clean the bathrooms
• Wipe the windows
• Do a load of laundry by yourself
• Call a relative
• Write a letter
• Take care of the garden

“O” – Outside play?

• Build a fort outside
• Play hopscotch
• Draw with sidewalk chalk
• Blow bubbles
• Create and go on a nature scavenger hunt
• Fly a kite 
• Look for beautiful rocks
• Pick flowers 
• Make an obstacle course
• Make a picnic
• Paint rocks to hide for others  
• Play hide and seek
• Play in the sandbox 
• Have a water-gun fight 
• Set up the sprinkler 
• Find flowers to press
• Plant seeds
• Have a water balloon fight
• Make a sandcastle or clay house

“R” – Read a book or learned something new?

• Read a book for 20 minutes
• Listen to an audiobook
• Learn checkers or chess
• Make a time capsule and bury it  
• Learn how to read a cookbook and then make something new
• Learn a new card game
• Learn a new board game
• Learn to hand sew
• Learn to sew with a sewing machine
• Practice photography
• Learn about local flowers and plants
• Learn about local animals
• Learn to knit / crochet

“E” – Exercised?

• Jump on the trampoline
• Play tag
• Practice cartwheels 
• Play soccer
• Play basketball
• Play baseball
• Play with a bouncy ball
• Ride a bike 
• Ride a scooter
• Try riding a skateboard
• Play with a hackie-sack
• Swing 
• Play with your dog 
• Practice hula hoop
• Jump rope
• Play balloon volleyball
• Put on an outside play
• Take a walk
• Go on a run

“D” – Done something creative – build, create, play, cook?

• Build a fort inside
• Put together a puzzle 
• Play a board game
• Have a dance party
• Sing karaoke with Amazon Music (it puts up the words on the screen)
• Write a story 
• Draw a picture
• Build a Lego masterpiece 
• Paint
• Play with playdough 
• Create a new game 
• Draw a treasure map
• Create a scavenger hunt
• Make a puppet
• Put on a play
• Build a race car track
• Set up dominos
• Play a card game
• Play a dice game
• Make a book
• Make a craft out of recyclables
• Create a structure using marshmallows and toothpicks  
• Use magazines to put together a collage
• Color in a coloring book
• Make a card
• Create a play to put on for your parents 
• Yo-yo
• Have a tea party 
• Paint your fingernails
• Stickers, construction paper, and markers
• Set up an indoor camping night
• Play I-Spy
• Make jewelry

Related post: How to Limit Screen Time for Your Kids

Get out from behind the screens and try something new this summer.

Better yet, print out this “I’m bored” checklist and free printable, and stick it to the front of the fridge. When someone says “I’m bored!”, refer them to the list for something fun to do (without a screen or spending any money)!

Want to save for later? Save these Screen-Free Activities for Kids to your favorite Pinterest board.