The Magic of Boredom!

Why Boredom Might Be One of the Best Things for Your Child This Summer!☀️

An OT Perspective on Outdoor Play, Imagination & Development 🌿

As summer begins, many parents feel the pressure to constantly keep their children entertained. Camps, activities, outings, screens, crafts, schedules… it can quickly begin to feel like we are responsible for filling every moment of the day.

But from a pediatric occupational therapy perspective, some of the most meaningful developmental opportunities happen in the moments where “nothing” is planned at all.

In fact, boredom may be one of the most important experiences we can give our children this summer.

Boredom Is Where Creativity Begins

When children are constantly entertained, directed, or given immediate stimulation, they rarely have the opportunity to practice creating their own ideas.

But when we allow space for boredom, something powerful begins to happen:

• imagination emerges

• creativity develops

• problem solving strengthens

• frustration tolerance grows

• flexibility improves

• independence increases

Children begin learning how to engage with the world around them rather than waiting for the world to entertain them.

A stick becomes:

• a magic wand

• a fishing pole

• a sword

• a drumstick

• building material for a fort

A puddle becomes a kitchen.
A fallen tree becomes a pirate ship.
A patch of dirt becomes a bakery.

This is not “just play.” This is incredibly important developmental work!

Why Outdoor Play Is So Therapeutic

From an OT perspective, outdoor play naturally supports nearly every area of child development.

When children climb, dig, carry, balance, run, jump, spin, crawl, hang upside down, and explore uneven terrain, they are receiving rich sensory input that helps organize and develop the nervous system.

Outdoor play supports:

• sensory integration

• reflex integration

• coordination

• body awareness

• motor planning

• executive functioning

• attention

• emotional regulation

• confidence

• social participation

Nature provides opportunities for movement and sensory experiences that children’s bodies were designed to seek.

Vestibular Input

Climbing trees, swinging, spinning, rolling down hills, and balancing on logs provide vestibular input that supports balance, attention, body awareness, and nervous system regulation.

Proprioceptive Input

Heavy work activities like digging, pushing rocks, carrying sticks, climbing, or pulling wagons help organize the nervous system and support emotional regulation.

Reflex Integration

Many outdoor movements naturally support retained primitive reflex integration:

• crawling

• climbing

• hanging

• cross-body movement

• balancing

• rolling

• jumping

These foundational movement patterns help support development of coordination, emotional regulation, attention, and postural control.

The Initial Pushback Is Normal

Many parents try to spend more time outdoors only to hear:
“I’m bored.”
“What should we do?”
“There’s nothing to play with.”

This is completely normal.

Children today are often used to highly stimulating environments, quick entertainment, and structured activities. Learning how to independently create play takes practice.

The discomfort of boredom is often the doorway into creativity.

Instead of immediately solving the boredom, try responding calmly with:

• “I trust you’ll find something to do.”

• “Let’s go explore and see what we can find.”

• “I wonder what you could create out here.”

• “Your brain is good at coming up with ideas.”

This builds confidence, resilience, and independent play skills over time.

Actionable Ways to Encourage More Outdoor Play This Summer

1. Create “Open-Ended Outdoor Time”

Try setting aside at least one hour each day with:

• no screens

• no planned activity

• no agenda

If an hour feels like to much, start small! Start with 15 min… the next day 30 min… 45… an hour! Getting into a play flow takes time! ideally we will allow our kids at least 45 min to get into a flow of outdoor play.

Simply go outside and allow space for exploration and creativity.

This could look like:

• backyard play

• creek exploration

• collecting sticks and rocks

• digging in dirt

• climbing trees

• riding bikes

• building forts

• making mud kitchens

Simple is enough.

2. Resist the Urge to Direct the Play

We often unintentionally take over children’s play by giving too many ideas or instructions.

Instead of:
“Why don’t you do this?”

Try:
“I wonder what you could make with those sticks.”

Allow children to lead the play whenever possible.

3. Create a “Loose Parts” Outdoor Bin

Children create incredible imaginative play when given open-ended materials.

Ideas include:

• buckets

• ropes

• sticks

• pinecones

• fabric scraps

• watering cans

• cardboard boxes

• old kitchen tools

• rocks

• flower pots

These materials invite creativity in ways highly structured toys often do not.

4. Normalize Boredom

Boredom does NOT mean you are failing as a parent.

Boredom is often the transition space before imagination begins.

The more children practice tolerating boredom, the stronger their creativity and flexibility become.

5. Prioritize Movement Every Day

Children need movement for regulation and development.

Try incorporating:

• obstacle courses

• climbing

• animal walks

• wheelbarrow walks

• hiking

• swinging

• jumping games

• balancing challenges

• scooter play

• carrying heavy objects safely

Movement is not separate from learning — movement supports learning.

A Summer Challenge for Families 🌿

This summer, challenge your family to spend at least one hour each day outside with no planned activities.

No schedule.
No screens.
No structured entertainment.

Just time to explore, move, create, imagine, and connect.

You may be surprised by what unfolds when children are given the freedom to fully experience the world around them.

Sometimes the most meaningful developmental moments happen when we simply step back and let children play 💚