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.

With so many things available to children these days I think they should NOT be bored whatsoever!

yes, boredom demands creativity, which cures boredom

Hmm, yeah I think a little boredom is probably good because it encourages creativity. I’m guilty of always coming up with what we should do, and if I let my daughter be a bit bored she may come up with ideas herself. So yeah, a bit of boredom is a good thing! We always head outside when I’m not sure what to do.

Occasionally, it's good because they will have to think up their own ways of amusing themselves. Boredom can always be cured!

Boredom is great for kids as it makes them think for themselves and learn to amuse themselves instead of constantly having to be entertained!

It's good for kids to be able to occupy themselves some of the time, but it's a question of degree, too much boredom rarely leads to good outcomes.

Boredom is absolutely vital; it's the fuel of the imagination.

It think it's important to be bored sometimes so that they learn to entertain themselves

I don't think it's good for them to be bored but I think it's good for them to be left to entertain themselves. I will suggest things to do if my daughters say they are bored but then it's up to them to find something to do

I think its good for them to get bored and if they do get bored i ask them to do some housework

Kids often don't really understand what being bored is. In my experience when they say they are bored it's because they've just finished an activity that was very structured. They need to be able to make their own fun and not always rely on adults to help. They need structured play and also time to experience things by themselves and make their own fun.

When I was little we weren’t allowed to say we were board it was almost like a swear word. My kids are not allowed tv and tablets games all day that have to find other things to do. We are a very craft orientated family and I encourage that. I like to upcycle and I allow them to do small projects to improve their rooms for nothing. If they say they are bored i just say that’s boring be creative and find a way out of that feeling. Last week they made dens out of sheets chairs and the clothes horse. My little girl made a lovely sunflower picture from clothes pegs. Then I spray painted it and she threw glitter over it. I teach them about caring for our environment we go for nature walks and find things to make for crafts if you point out the opportunities for fun and fire their imagination they will learn how to self entertain. My mum always said a board person is a boring person

It's not good for kids to be bored or just sat on the computer/watching tv because they're bored. Sitting reading or going out in the fresh air to play is a great way of keeping them occupied :)

I think it's essential that children learn to entertain themselves - being able to rely on one's own resources is a life skill and contributes to positive lifelong mental health. Family life can often be busy and school is a fast-paced environment with very little opportunity to stop and reflect. As a mum and childminder I see children who are literally suffocating as they do not have time to just be children - to potter around in the garden, to daydream and doodle, to talk to their teddies and curl up with a good book. Do not be afraid to let your child get bored - as long as they have a few resources to fall back on - books, pens and paper, scissors and glue, sticks or boxes, some outdoor space they are allowed to dig in - they will never really be bored.

I honestly think life is too short to feel bored. My kids will happily pick up a bat and ball, or some paints or pens, watch a film or do a puzzle. Don't waste time being bored!

I think a bit of being bored isn't a bad thing. so many things to do these days a little time out is ok.

I do believe that being bored is important to kids. It teaches them to entertain themselves with what they have.

My great niece is never bored, she has a great imagination & loves to make up stories & games, it's so much better than being glued to the television or games console. She also loves being outdoors & even though she's only 5 she follows the gardeners around asking questions & has her own little section of the garden at her GG & Grandpa's house which she plants & tends with loving care

No i dont think its good for kids to be bored, it just encourages naughtiness. Understandably they can't be entertained 24/7 but as a child there is so much to do see and explore, I find planning ahead certain activities really helps. Plenty of indoor and outdoor toys games, and theres always paper crayons and paint available.

i think its good for kids to "get bored" when ur activities are done and the kiddies moan they are bored i tell them to use their initiative and find something to do for themselves! they need t use thier own imagination planning every single second of the day for them takes away from them being able to think for themselves

They should be able to entertain themselves as well, so encourage them to play on their own too :)

I think it might be good for kids to get a bit bored as it might inspire them to find something interesting to do.

I think it's good for kids to be bored, it makes them use their imagination!

Boredom is awesome! We have little kids- 5 and 2, and they have no 'screen time' at all, and they play for hours together. They take blankets into the garden and make a den under our ancient trampoline. They take apart their bedrooms (arhhh!) and go on adventures. They once borrowed the washing baskets and sailed down the corridor in it, using my broom as paddle..
I was 'bored' constantly as a child. I had an amazing childhood, had hundreds of adventures (mostly messy or dangerous), learnt instruments, read books. As for art, my kids love it- our walls are covered with their creations- each piece is stuck up and (quietly) recycled when another piece arrives.. they they tidy up- under orders!!

If kids are bored they create their own amusement usually. They play more, Money doesn't solve bordom