“I’m bored!”

It’s a phrase most parents of young children will hear regularly.

And when it comes at the end of a long day, while you're trying to cook dinner, answer an email or simply get five minutes to yourself, reaching for the tablet or switching on the television can feel like the easiest solution.

But what if boredom doesn't always need to be solved?

Sometimes, giving children the space and opportunity to work out what to do next can be surprisingly valuable. One simple way to encourage this is by creating a boredom box.

What is a boredom box?

A boredom box is simply a box, basket or drawer containing a selection of activities your child can turn to when they're looking for something to do.

It doesn't need to be expensive, elaborate or beautifully organised.

In fact, you probably already have plenty of things around the house that could go into one.

You could include:

• Books and picture books

• Colouring books and pencils

• Stickers and paper

• Simple puzzles

• Activity books

• Building blocks

• Playdough

• Cards or matching games

• Small figures or animals

• Craft materials

• Drawing and writing activities

• Simple challenges or ideas written on pieces of paper

The idea isn't to create another activity that you have to supervise. Instead, it's about giving your child a selection of things they can explore themselves.

Keep it simple

You don't need to fill a huge box with dozens of activities.

In fact, less can sometimes be more.

If a child is faced with an enormous selection of toys and activities, they can find it difficult to decide what to do. A smaller selection can make the choice feel much easier.

Try putting together five or six activities to start with.

You could have a couple of books, some colouring materials, a puzzle, stickers and something creative such as playdough.

Then see what your child naturally gravitates towards.

Rotate the contents

One of the best ways to keep a boredom box interesting is to rotate what's inside.

Children can quickly lose interest in things they see every day. But put something away for a couple of weeks and suddenly it can feel exciting again.

You don't have to completely refill the box each time.

Simply swap a couple of books, introduce a different puzzle or add a new activity.

Even an old favourite can feel new when it hasn't been seen for a while.

Don't be afraid of boredom

As parents, it's easy to feel responsible for keeping our children entertained.

There are toys, activities, clubs, books, television programmes, apps and endless things competing for their attention.

But children don't necessarily need every moment filled.

Boredom can create space for imagination.

When there isn't an immediate source of entertainment available, a child has to think about what they could do next.

They might start drawing.

They might build a tower.

They might make up a game with their toys.

They might look through a book they've forgotten about.

They might start pretending that the sofa is a spaceship.

And they might come up with something you never would have thought of yourself.

That process of deciding what to do is valuable in itself.

Give them the opportunity to play independently

Independent play doesn't necessarily mean leaving a child completely alone.

It can simply mean giving them the opportunity to take the lead rather than an adult directing every activity.

A boredom box can help with this because the child gets to make the choice.

Instead of:

“Here's what we're going to do.”

It's:

“Here's what's available. What would you like to do?”

That small difference can encourage children to become more confident in finding their own ways to play.

You don't have to ban screens

A boredom box isn't about declaring screens the enemy.

There are times when television, tablets and other technology can be useful. Parents need breaks, too.

The goal is simply to make sure screens aren't always the first and only answer to boredom.

If your child says they're bored, you can acknowledge it without feeling that you immediately have to fix it.

Try:

“I know. Sometimes it's hard to think of something to do. Have a look in your box and see if there's anything you'd like to try.”

They may not be impressed initially!

But over time, they can start to learn that boredom doesn't automatically mean they need a screen.

Let your child help create it

Your boredom box doesn't have to be something you create entirely yourself.

Ask your child what they would like to have in it.

What do they enjoy doing?

What activities haven't they played with recently?

Which books would they choose?

You could even let them help decide when it's time to change the contents.

Giving them ownership can make them much more interested in using it.

You don't need to spend money

Perhaps the best thing about a boredom box is that you don't need to buy anything specifically for it.

Look around your home.

A few sheets of paper and some pencils can become an afternoon of drawing.

A handful of building blocks can become a construction challenge.

A book that hasn't been read for a while can suddenly become a favourite again.

Some stickers and paper can become a creative project.

And a simple cardboard box can become almost anything a child's imagination wants it to be.

The next time you hear “I'm bored…”

Try resisting the urge to immediately solve it.

Give your child a little space.

Point them towards their boredom box.

Let them choose.

Let them experiment.

And, most importantly, let them discover that they are capable of creating their own fun.

Because “I'm bored” doesn't always mean a child needs entertaining. Sometimes, it can be the beginning of imagination.