Let Them Be Bored: Why Doing “Nothing” Is the Best Thing You Can Give a Child This Summer

Two kids dangle upside down on the sofa, sighing, “I’m bored.”
Most of us scramble for solutions. But what if these “empty” moments are where real growth begins?

The Case for Boredom (Backed by Brain Science)

“I’m bored!” It’s the line every parent dreads, and our reflex is to fill the silence. But if you look at the latest research, and listen to what leading child psychologists are saying, boredom isn’t a crisis to solve. It’s a cognitive compost pile, the dark, quiet space where imagination, resilience, and self-motivation quietly take root.

ABC’s Good Morning America just sparked a national conversation with their segment: “Is it so bad to let kids ‘rot’ all summer? Why boredom might be the break they need.”

The headline was cheeky, but the science is dead serious. Experts like Nicole Runyon, LCSW Nicole Runyon, put it bluntly (but so true):

“Boredom actually opens up space in the brain for creativity. When kids aren’t scheduled every minute, they learn how to problem-solve, explore their interests, and build confidence.”

Translation: when we stop over-programming, kids start to think for themselves. Boredom pushes them to invent, to negotiate, to dream. It is the opposite of wasted time.

What Happens in a Bored Brain?

Here’s what the research says:

Default Mode Network Activation: Neuroscientists have found that when kids do “nothing,” their brains flip into the default mode network. This is the neural reset button: it’s where we consolidate memories, make sense of our experiences, and connect ideas in new ways (think: shower thoughts, but for kids).
Sharper Executive Function: Landmark studies (Barker et al., 2014) show that the more time kids spend in unstructured, self-directed play, the stronger their executive skills: planning, problem-solving, self-regulation. This matters more for long-term success than IQ.
Creativity and Curiosity: “A bored moment is a blank canvas for self-directed exploration,” says Dr. Jamie Jirout. With no one telling them what to do, kids’ brains fill the space with curiosity and creativity. That cardboard box becomes a spaceship. That stick becomes a magic wand.
Emotional Resilience: Marriage and family therapist Tanyell Cole, M.A., puts it best:

“The mind isn’t ever truly bored. When a child says they’re bored, what they often mean is, ‘I don’t want to sit with my thoughts.’ But learning to sit with those thoughts? That’s where real growth happens.”

Healthier Relationship with Tech: Too much device time creates “chronic boredom”, restless scrolling, but never truly engaged. Limiting screens lets kids learn to generate their own fun, not just consume someone else’s.

The Age Advantage: How Boredom Benefits at Every Stage

Early Childhood (3–6): Preschoolers are wired for pretend play, self-talk, and invention. Over-scheduling kills this. Nicole Runyon warns: “Ages 3–6 are a window when kids daydream freely; crowding out that impulse disconnects them from their own passions.”

Middle Childhood (6–12): Elementary kids need boredom for confidence and self-discovery. Give them a free afternoon, and they’ll invent a new game, start a comic book, or just lose themselves in play. Bethany Braun-Silva writes: “Ages 9-12 are a powerful time for self-discovery. Giving them space to explore their interests builds confidence and resilience.”

Teens (13–18): Teens are the most over-scheduled of all. But they need unscripted downtime to process, reflect, and develop a sense of self. Chronic stress from non-stop activities is linked to higher teen anxiety and depression. Give your teen permission to “do nothing”, they’ll return to their passions (or invent new ones) stronger, calmer, and more independent.

What Can Parents and Educators Do? Five Tactical Moves

Schedule White Space: Block out daily “do-nothing” time: no screens, no agenda. Let it be awkward. That’s where growth happens.
Offer Materials, Not Marching Orders: Stock up on open-ended supplies: cardboard, markers, dress-up clothes, loose parts. Then back off.
Limit Default Screens: Set times for tech, and protect device-free time like you would family dinner.
Model It: Show kids you’re comfortable with downtime. Be bored together sometimes. “Let’s see what happens if we just sit here.”
Protect Slow Days: Don’t over-schedule weekends and vacations. Embrace the “slow summer” mentality. As Audrey Schoen LMFT says, “Unstructured days strengthen family bonds and present-moment awareness.”

The Takeaway

Letting kids “rot” isn’t laziness, it’s leadership. The best ideas, the deepest resilience, the true self-motivation all start in those uncomfortable, unscripted gaps.

So next time you hear “I’m bored,” don’t rescue them. Hold the space. Watch creativity walk in.

For more, read:

“Is it so bad to let kids ‘rot’ all summer?” - ABC/GMA
“Here’s Why You Need a Slow Summer” - Parents Magazine
“Should We Embrace Boredom?” - The Guardian
“Boredom Can Be Great for Kids” - UVA Today
Barker et al. (2014) - Frontiers in Psychology

Citations: Barker JE, Semenov AD, Michaelson L, et al. (2014). Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning. Frontiers in Psychology. Braun-Silva, B. (2025). ABC News / GMA. Jirout, J. (2024). UVA Today. Runyon, N., GMA, 2025. Schoen, A., Parents Magazine, 2025.

The tortoise always wins,
JT

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