Is it good for kids to be bored? Share your thoughts with BIC KIDS for the chance to win a £300 voucher - PLUS enter this year’s drawing competition!

[EmmaMumsnet]

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In celebration of the launch of the BIC KIDS Young Artist Award created to help children across the nation conquer their boredom over the summer months, we’re keen to hear your opinions on whether you think boredom is good for children and what you do when “I’m bored” strikes.

We are partnering with BIC KIDS again this year to challenge all budding artists aged between 5-11 to create their most imaginative drawings for a chance to see their artwork displayed on a huge billboard! Entries are open from Monday 2nd July – Sunday 5th August and 13 talented finalists will be selected by a panel of experts to represent their region in a public vote.

Rebecca Huda, BIC® UK and Ireland’s Stationery Product Manager says: “We’re delighted to be returning with our BIC® KIDS Young Artist Award for 2018. Last year’s competition was a great success and we were overwhelmed by the quality of the artwork we received. We can’t wait for this year’s imaginative entries to start pouring in, ready to be displayed across the country, there’ll be some proud parents for sure.”

As well as the priceless opportunity to have their drawings published, the 13 deserving finalists will win a hamper full of BIC® KIDS goodies, with the crowned champion receiving their very own creative arts party!

Once your children have created their masterpieces, you can enter them into the competition easily and quickly by visiting bickids.com/uk/youngartistaward and uploading the artwork before the deadline on Sunday 5th August.

Everyone who posts on this thread to share their thoughts on boredom and/or to share the drawing they have entered into the competition will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

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NB - you will only be entered into the BIC KIDS drawing competition by submitting your drawing via the link above. However, we also encourage you to share your drawings on this thread to be entered into the £300 voucher prize draw.

I don't think it is good for them to be bored, but nobody can be entertained 100% of the time, no matter what you try to do to keep them having fun.

Yes. It's important for the simple reason : Bored people are boring people because they can't keep themselves entertained. That's what I tell them. "Boringggggggggggggg " is the usual response.

I tend to find that if a child wails that they're bored, what they actually mean is "Pay me some attention." I've known children whose bedrooms look like an explosion in a toy shop, yet they're still "Bored."
Then there are those children you can spend all morning joining in with their games who start the "I'm bored!" if you take a break to take a wee!
Some parents are being held hostage by over-demanding children who need help to discover ways of amusing themselves.

I don't think kids should be left to be bored, but I do think it's important that they learn to make their own entertainment sometimes, to develop their imaginations and learn how to just chill.

I have always tried to keep my sons entertained when they were little, now they're older (14 &10) I encourage them to fill their time with positive activities, things they make them happy, or are proactive. If they come to me with "Im bored" I can always come up with a household chore or task that they happily will decline and find something else to do. Yes it is good for them to feel boredom, even I get bored occasionally, it means everything is in its place. And I cant always afford to take my kids out out, so its important for them to understand budgets etc

They do need to learn to entertain themselves so being bored gives you a chance to point them at things to do. They do need independence

Yes think it's good for kids to be bored and to try and think of things themselves to get out of it. Try and steer them in the right direction with suggestions.

yes I think it's good, I know when I was a kid it forced me to look for alternatives and to amuse myself so it's really a learning curve
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No children shouldn't get bored, they should learn how to entertain themselves and be creative.

I think it's ok for children to be a little bored, but I think they sometimes need someone to guide them and help them think about ways of overcoming boredom, which doesn't cost any money. That way I think they become more creative and self reliant, and hopefully realistic and happy.

No, no, and more no! I think kids should be shown ideas to fill their time, and to find new hobbies and interests. If kids are inspired to be creative, they can maybe find a hobby that may even develop into a career!

Yes its good for DC to be bored . Its part of life...some things just are plain boring. Its also a pause between doing things, a time to rest . It can be , like daydreaming, a time to think and use their imagination .Whilst I try and keep them stimulated and entertained I am not guilt tripped by the fact that sometimes they have to either do things that bore them or have to come up with their own ideas or face the prospect of being bored.

Sometimes my children get bored and then I explain to them what they can do so not to be bored. During the time when they are bored we are talking a lot about everything. It helps them to rest between their plays and activites, so they can come out with the ideas how to entertain themselves.

sometimes so they learn how to entertain themselves - but not so good if it's at school

I try to ensure ours are not bored too often but I don't think it's a bad thing for them to be bored occasionally.
They need to not only learn that sometimes in life you will be bored and need to be able to entertain yourself, but also I think that boredom initiates the brain cells. If they are bored they will learn to think for themselves and come up with things to relieve the boredom. If we constantly strive to entertain them, they will always expect someone to give them ideas of what to do rather than thinking for themselves.

I think its good for kids to get bored - then it sparks their imagination and makes them creative.

All kids will say they are bored but it can mean a lot of things.I think when younger kids say they are bored it is just a sign of their short attention span and the fact they like adult company and intervention - so it is good they tell you so you can stop that boredom.
Older children may say they are bored and want you to say they can go on their game system or watch a dvd - I would rather they spend some time 'bored' than spend hours on aimless games etc.

My DDs 6 & 8 do sometimes complain they are bored, but I see that as an opportunity for them to think independently. I will always suggest some things they can do, but if all they say is "no, no, no" then I just say it's up to them to find something to do (so long as it's not screen time) and they often find a way to amuse themselves, whether it's picking up a book, doing some music practice or heading outside to play. It teaches self-reliance and that's definitely a positive.

It's good that they understand the concept of what boredom really is but also that quiet time is important too. Too much stimulation all the time means they constantly demand more. It's not so much boredom but the desire for something new and exciting and that's not a good cycle to be in constantly.

Yes. It helps them develop their imaginations and use their own initiative. Not that children should be left to their own devices all summer, but it's nice for them to have some time without activities to just be and see where it takes them.

i think it does children good to be bored at times it encourages them to use there imagination and find something that interests them

I think these days especially it's important. Like everyone else's DC, mine want to spend far too much time on tech. When I declare that screen time is over and switch off the WiFi, they all come to me within minutes saying, "I have nothing to doooooo! I'm soooooo bored!". I then begin a lecture about not having tech when I was a child and having to entertain myself etc and that's usually enough to make them slope off and find something else to do . This is often playing with toys, making up games, playing outside or (shock!) talking to each other. I wish they'd read more.

Boredom is good for children, my girls behaviour deteriorates if they have too much screen time or are micromanaged.

When they are bored they play brilliant games, draw and burn off more energy in the garden, therefore they sleep better at night as they are tired!

I like to have a balance of having some planned activities for my two and times that nothing is planned, so they can just play and entertain themselves. They would never learn to do this if I was rushing about taking them to activities.

As a mum and foster mum I find kids are less able to cope with being bored these days.. I try and encourage the little ones I look after just to sit and do nothing for a few minutes each day as I think needs to be a learned skill now. With phones, iPads, tvs etc always at hand it is s difficult thing for them to do