You Don’t Have to Play Camp Director

Coming Up TOMORROW (July 3rd) at 1 pm EST…

FREE MATH WORKSHOP: Word Problem Warriors — Crack the Case with Math

Grades 3–6 | Join us for a fun, interactive session that helps your child flex their problem-solving muscles.

Boredom Blocks = Brain Boosts

It’s a slow, hot afternoon in July. The kind of day where the hours stretch long and your kids seem restless before lunch even hits the table.

Then you hear it. The inevitable sigh, followed by the dramatic declaration: “I’m sooo bored.”

Your first instinct might be to jump in with a list of activities: “Read a book! Go outside! Want to bake something?” Or maybe even just hand over a screen for a bit of peace.

But what if you don’t?

What if you simply say, “I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” and leave the space wide open?

This is where the magic begins.

When you give your child unstructured time (with no set schedule, no planned activities, and no immediate entertainment), you’re not doing less.

You’re actually giving their brain the space it needs to do more.

Boredom gets a bad reputation.

Boredom challenges your child to sit with discomfort and then find their way through it. That’s when creativity kicks in. That’s when imagination starts to stretch and problem-solving begins.

You might notice it happening right in front of you: the living room transformed into a blanket fort, the backyard turned into an obstacle course, or your child diving into a forgotten bin of craft supplies to make something new. None of it would’ve happened if you had rushed in to fill the quiet.

Beyond creativity, unstructured time also helps your child build emotional regulation. It teaches them that they don’t always need something external to feel fulfilled — that their own ideas, thoughts, and interests are enough.

So the next time your child groans about being bored, take a deep breath. Instead of solving it, try holding the space. Trust that something good is just around the corner.

Because when there’s nothing to do, that’s often when your child discovers just how much they’re capable of.

Let’s Stop Playing Camp Director

We loved the Instagram reel below because it captures a message so many parents need to hear this summer.

It’s easy to feel the pressure to keep kids constantly busy, especially during the long, unstructured days of summer. From swim lessons and camps to playdates and learning apps, the unspoken goal often becomes: keep them occupied, keep them moving.

But in the reel, Dr. Becky shares a refreshing perspective — the importance of what she calls boredom blocks: open stretches of time where nothing is scheduled, and the magic happens simply because there’s space for it to unfold.

Because sometimes, when nothing is planned… that’s exactly when the best moments happen.

It’s a powerful reminder — and one worth watching if you’ve been feeling the pressure to play full-time entertainer.

drbeckyatgoodinside

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Boredom Blocks Not Cutting It? Quick Ideas to Jumpstart Creativity

Okay, sometimes you do need some activities at hand. We totally get it.

Letting your child be bored is important, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a few low-pressure ideas ready when they need a little nudge.

Here are some easy, open-ended boredom-busting ideas, grouped by age:

Ages 4–6: Spark Wonder with Simple Play

• Build a blanket fort and read inside

• Make paper bag puppets and put on a show

• Go on a backyard scavenger hunt (find something red, something soft, etc.)

• Make a “water painting” with a brush and a bucket outside

• Create a nature collage from leaves, twigs, and flowers

• Play “store” or “restaurant” with play money and menus

Ages 7–9: Fuel Imagination and Independence

• Make a comic book with their own superhero

• Create a “junk drawer invention” using random household items

• Try a no-recipe baking experiment (with supervision!)

• Write and perform a short play or skit

• Set up a mini “Olympics” with events like sock-toss or crab-walk races

• Learn origami using YouTube or printable guides

Ages 10–13: Challenge Creativity and Critical Thinking

• Try stop-motion animation with a phone or tablet

• Start a DIY business idea (think lemonade stand 2.0)

• Recreate a favorite recipe from memory

• Design a board game from scratch

• Make a music video or dance routine

• Build a Rube Goldberg machine using random household objects

Teens: Encourage Exploration and Expression

• Create a personal blog or journal challenge (30 days of gratitude, for example)

• Learn basic coding through free tools like Scratch or Code.org

• Plan and cook dinner one night for the family

• Start a photography project with a theme (nature, patterns, portraits)

• Take on a thrift flip or DIY room makeover

• Research and try a new hobby: calligraphy, painting, knitting, video editing

Last week, we asked:

Which part of summer feels hardest to manage with your kids?

• 🟩 85% — Boredom or lack of structure

• ⬜️ 8% — Unpredictable routines

• ⬜️ 8% — Transitions (like coming home from camp or travel)

• ⬜️ 0% — Social overstimulation

• ⬜️ 0% — My own stress

Boredom and lack of structure are clearly the biggest challenges for many families this summer! With fewer routines and more free time, it’s tough to strike the right balance between giving kids space and keeping them engaged.

We get it — and we’re here to help with ideas and reminders that sometimes less is more when it comes to growth and creativity.

We’re asking parents like you to share their thoughts on topics that matter each week! Cast your vote and see what others think! We’ll share the results next week. 👀

When summer boredom strikes, having a few trusted tools on hand can make all the difference. Here are some recommendations that encourage creativity, learning, and independence without overwhelming your schedule:

Toca Boca
A digital playground where kids create their own stories and explore imaginative worlds — perfect for open-ended, screen time that sparks creativity.

DIY.org
A kid-friendly platform offering hands-on challenges and skill-building projects, from art to science — plus badges to celebrate accomplishments!

Wonderopolis
Every day, this site answers a new kid-submitted “Wonder of the Day” — like Why do cats purr? or How do glow sticks work? Perfect for sparking conversation and curiosity.

Thinkster
Want to keep math skills sharp without summer worksheets battles? Thinkster makes it easy. Your child gets a personalized learning plan, real tutor support, and the flexibility to learn anywhere — even between vacations and pool days.Less summer slide, more summer success!

Until Next Week…

Give yourself a break this summer — literally.

Unstructured time doesn’t mean missed opportunity. It’s an open door to independence, imagination, and unexpected joy.

Thanks for joining us in raising kind, capable, and confident humans. We’re so glad you’re here.

❤️ Loved this issue? Have thoughts, questions, or topic ideas?

Share your vote below or drop us a note at [email protected].