200 Activity Ideas for your Boredom Buster Jar

Boredom is a common challenge that children and teens often face. While it feels uncomfortable in the moment, we need to help our kids embrace boredom as a catalyst for growth and development. Boredom is an opportunity to foster creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills. It enhances independence, self-reflection, and patience.

Boredom also gives our kids space to explore their own interests and discover new hobbies. Read more to see other benefits to boredom.

As parents, we play an important role in guiding them through this experience and encouraging their exploration. Giving them opportunities to engage in various activities, both structured and unstructured, help captivate their minds while promoting their imagination and critical thinking.

To support this growth, however, there need to be limits on screen time – otherwise, they will never learn to deal with boredom. It’s important to find the right balance between screen usage and other activities, ensuring that our children have the opportunity to explore different forms of entertainment and engage in meaningful experiences.

It is important to provide a stimulating environment that encourages curiosity and creativity. Creating a boredom buster jar filled with fun and engaging activities is helpful in cultivating an environment that sparks your child’s imagination while promoting their independence.

Here are 200 ideas for activities to fill your boredom buster jar to get you started. To make it super simple, simply print out this page and cut out any ideas your child might enjoy!

1. Create a scrapbook with old magazines and photographs.
2. Build a fort using blankets and pillows.
3. Write and perform a play or puppet show.
4. Set up an obstacle course in the backyard.
5. Bake cookies or cupcakes from scratch.
6. Have a dance party with their favorite music.
7. Paint rocks and create a rock garden.
8. Start a nature journal and go on a nature walk to collect items.
9. Learn a new card game or board game.
10. Put on a fashion show with clothes from their closet.
11. Practice origami and make paper airplanes or animals.
12. Have a picnic in the living room or backyard.
13. Create a treasure hunt with clues around the house.
14. Set up a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to charity.
15. Make homemade slime or playdough.
16. Put on a magic show with tricks they learn online.
17. Write and illustrate their own storybook.
18. Create a DIY science experiment using household items.
19. Start a vegetable or herb garden.
20. Learn a new instrument or practice playing an existing one.
21. Have a themed dress-up day and put on a fashion show.
22. Do yoga or meditation exercises for kids.
23. Make friendship bracelets or other DIY jewelry.
24. Learn to knit or crochet.
25. Start a collection of something they’re interested in, like stamps or rocks.
26. Create a time capsule and bury it in the backyard.
27. Set up a photo booth and take silly pictures.
28. Write a letter or draw a picture for a family member or friend.
29. Have a science-themed day and conduct simple experiments.
30. Learn a magic trick or card trick to perform for others.
31. Make homemade popsicles or ice cream.
32. Create a DIY bird feeder and observe birds in the backyard.
33. Have a themed movie marathon with popcorn and snacks.
34. Play charades or a game of “Simon Says.”
35. Learn a new dance routine or choreograph their own.
36. Start a journal or diary and write about their day or thoughts.
37. Practice drawing or painting with different art supplies.
38. Play a sport or learn a new sport in the backyard.
39. Have a LEGO building challenge or build a city with blocks.
40. Create a collage with old magazines and newspapers.
41. Have a scavenger hunt around the house or neighborhood.
42. Learn basic coding skills or create a simple computer game.
43. Have a DIY spa day with homemade face masks and nail painting.
44. Start a collection of pressed flowers or leaves.
45. Learn to tie different types of knots.
46. Make homemade pizza or sandwiches for lunch.
47. Put on a talent show and showcase their skills.
48. Create a DIY musical instrument using household items.
49. Learn a magic trick with cards or coins.
50. Practice juggling or hula hooping.
51. Make a DIY lava lamp or volcano experiment.
52. Have a DIY science fair and present their own experiments.
53. Design and make their own t-shirt or tote bag.
54. Build a model car, plane, or ship.
55. Write and perform a rap or song.
56. Practice a new language with online resources or apps.
57. Make paper flowers or origami animals.
58. Start a journal of gratitude and write down things they’re thankful for.
59. Learn to sew or cross-stitch.
60. Put on a puppet show using socks or handmade puppets.
61. Create a vision board with pictures and words that inspire them.
62. Have a DIY car wash for their toy cars or bikes.
63. Learn to solve a Rubik’s Cube or other puzzle games.
64. Experiment with different hairstyles or hair braiding techniques.
65. Create a DIY board game and play it with family or friends.
66. Learn to make balloon animals.
67. Have a DIY science experiment day with baking soda and vinegar.
68. Write and illustrate their own comic book or graphic novel.
69. Play an educational app or online game.
70. Build a marble run or domino track.
71. Create a DIY jewelry organizer or storage box.
72. Practice magic tricks with everyday objects.
73. Learn to do simple magic tricks with cards or coins.
74. Make homemade soap or bath bombs.
75. Have a DIY spa day with facials, foot soaks, and relaxation exercises.
76. Create a DIY sensory bin with rice, beans, or water beads.
77. Learn to fold origami animals or paper airplanes.
78. Have a DIY fashion show using clothes and accessories from their closet.
79. Create a DIY photo frame or scrapbook page.
80. Make homemade slime or playdough with different colors and textures.
81. Practice writing and illustrating their own comic book.
82. Set up a DIY lemonade stand or bake sale.
83. Have a DIY puppet show using socks or paper bags.
84. Learn a magic trick with everyday objects, like disappearing coins.
85. Create a DIY science experiment using household items.
86. Start a collection of interesting objects, like rocks or stamps.
87. Build a fort or tent with blankets and pillows.
88. Have a themed dress-up day and put on a fashion show.
89. Do yoga or meditation exercises for kids.
90. Make friendship bracelets or other DIY jewelry.
91. Learn to knit or crochet.
92. Set up a DIY art studio and paint or draw with different materials.
93. Have a science-themed day and conduct simple experiments.
94. Make homemade popsicles or ice cream.
95. Create a DIY bird feeder and observe birds in the backyard.
96. Have a themed movie marathon with popcorn and snacks.
97. Play charades or a game of “Simon Says.”
98. Learn a dance routine or create their own dance.
99. Start a journal or diary and write about their day or thoughts.
100. Practice drawing or painting with different art supplies.
101. Build a tower using playing cards.
102. Write a letter to a friend or family member.
103. Practice yoga poses for kids.
104. Create a DIY bookmark.
105. Make paper airplanes and have a flying contest.
106. Organize a scavenger hunt in the backyard.
107. Play a game of tic-tac-toe or connect four.
108. Learn to tie different types of knots.
109. Write a short story or poem.
110. Create a vision board with magazine cutouts.
111. Have a DIY spa day with homemade face masks.
112. Learn a magic trick and perform it for the family.
113. Make a friendship bracelet using embroidery floss.
114. Practice tongue twisters and see who can say them the fastest.
115. Set up a mini-bowling alley using plastic bottles and a softball.
116. Experiment with different hairstyles using hair accessories.
117. Make a DIY bird feeder and observe birds in the backyard.
118. Create a DIY musical instrument using household items.
119. Play a game of charades or Pictionary.
120. Have a DIY photo shoot with fun props and costumes.
121. Build a structure using marshmallows and toothpicks.
122. Make homemade pizza from scratch.
123. Create a time capsule and bury it in the backyard.
124. Learn to juggle with scarves or softballs.
125. Have a painting session using watercolors or finger paints.
126. Play a game of Simon Says.
127. Create a DIY kite and fly it in an open field.
128. Put on a puppet show using sock puppets.
129. Make homemade slime in different colors and textures.
130. Write and perform a short play or skit.
131. Have a picnic in the living room or backyard.
132. Play a game of hopscotch or jump rope.
133. Create a DIY wind chime using recycled materials.
134. Make a DIY mini golf course using household items.
135. Practice basic magic tricks with cards or coins.
136. Have a dance party with favourite songs and dance moves.
137. Learn to solve a Rubik’s Cube or other puzzle games.
138. Create a DIY board game and play with family or friends.
139. Make homemade ice cream sundaes with different toppings.
140. Play a game of I Spy using objects around the house.
141. Have a DIY science experiment day with simple kitchen ingredients.
142. Write and illustrate a comic strip or graphic novel.
143. Build a fort using pillows, blankets, and chairs.
144. Practice origami and make paper animals or flowers.
145. Create a DIY jewelry holder using a picture frame and wire.
146. Have a DIY fashion show using clothes and accessories from the closet.
147. Set up an outdoor obstacle course using hula hoops, cones, and jump ropes.
148. Make a DIY lava lamp using oil, water, and food coloring.
149. Play a game of memory or concentration with cards or pictures.
150. Create a DIY paper lantern and decorate it with colorful designs.
151. Set up a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to a charity.
152. Have a DIY puppet theater using a cardboard box and paper puppets.
153. Make a DIY kaleidoscope using a paper towel roll and colorful beads.
154. Play a game of indoor bowling using plastic cups and a softball.
155. Learn to draw different animals or cartoon characters step by step.
156. Have a DIY science fair and present simple experiments to family members.
157. Make a DIY stress ball using balloons and flour or rice.
158. Play a game of “20 Questions” to guess an object or person.
159. Create a DIY memory jar with notes of happy moments and memories.
160. Practice outdoor photography and capture interesting nature shots.
161. Have a DIY fashion design session and sketch out unique clothing designs.
162. Learn a new dance routine or choreograph their own dance performance.
163. Make a DIY mini catapult using popsicle sticks and rubber bands.
164. Play a game of indoor basketball using a small ball and a laundry basket.
165. Create a DIY dream catcher using a hoop, yarn, and beads.
166. Have a DIY science experiment with baking soda and vinegar reactions.
167. Make a DIY terrarium using a glass jar, soil, and small plants.
168. Play a game of “Would You Rather” and discuss hypothetical scenarios.
169. Create a DIY memory game using index cards and drawings or photos.
170. Have a DIY jewelry-making session using beads, string, and charms.
171. Make homemade bubble solution and create giant bubbles.
172. Play a game of indoor volleyball using a balloon as the ball.
173. Create a DIY paper mache mask or sculpture.
174. Have a DIY mini Olympics with different games and challenges.
175. Make a DIY windsock using colorful paper and ribbons.
176. Play a game of “Guess the Song” and try to name the artist and title.
177. Create a DIY pinwheel using paper, a straw, and a pushpin.
178. Have a DIY pottery session using air-dry clay or playdough.
179. Make a DIY birdhouse using a small wooden box and paint.
180. Play a game of “Finish the Story” where each person adds a sentence.
181. Create a DIY memory game using cutouts from magazines or printed images.
182. Have a DIY balloon rocket race using a string and a blown-up balloon.
183. Make a DIY dream jar by writing down dreams and aspirations on slips of paper.
184. Play a game of “Guess the Animal” by describing the characteristics and guessing the animal.
185. Create a DIY mosaic using colorful paper or small tiles.
186. Have a DIY gardening session and plant seeds or repot plants.
187. Make a DIY paper crown or tiara and have a royal parade.
188. Play a game of “Telephone” where a message is whispered and passed on.
189. Create a DIY sensory bottle using water, glitter, and small objects.
190. Have a DIY cupcake decorating session with different toppings and frosting.
191. Make a DIY mini puppet theater using a shoebox and paper puppets.
192. Play a game of “Name That Tune” and try to guess the song from a short clip.
193. Create a DIY bookmark using colorful paper and stickers.
194. Have a DIY obstacle course in the backyard using cones, ropes, and hula hoops.
195. Make a DIY paper chain garland using colorful paper strips.
196. Play a game of “20 Questions” to guess a historical figure or famous person.
197. Create a DIY sensory bin with rice, beans, or dried pasta and small toys.
198. Have a DIY mini-science experiment using static electricity or magnets.
199. Make a DIY paper bag puppet and put on a puppet show for family or friends.
200. Play a game of “Guess the Word” by giving clues and guessing the word or phrase.

Want even more ideas? Check out these 119 ideas to engage your kids.