Excuse the thread about a thread - how to teach kids to cope with boredom?

[vladthedisorganised]

Inspired by the 'toddlers running about' thread, I noticed a really interesting comment 'the most important thing we can teach children is how to cope with boredom'.

Does anyone have any ideas/ experience as to how you go about this with a young (under 5yo) child? We certainly don't cram our day with activities (DD joins in with the housework if I'm doing any); but if we're at an occasion where DD will need to sit still for a long period of time I'll usually pack a colouring book or something... not sure if this is part of the same thing? Really interested..