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 think it's good for kids to be bored sometimes. It helps them use their imagination. :)

No, I don't think it's good.

Yes it teaches them imagination

My 2 boys seem to always find something to bide their time, rarely get bored, I'd imagine that's when they'd start playing up!

No reason for kids to be bored - they have more than any previous generation!

When our children say they are bored my husband says "Only Boreing People get Bored" - it seems to work!

Yes, from time to time, I think it is. It means they have to think themselves about finding something to entertain them rather being reliant on others to provide the entertainment.

No. When they're bored they start to argue with each other.

I don't get the "I'm bored"statements but I do get the "I'm hungry" statements which is my cue for being bored. We have a stash of bits in the cupboard under the stairs- crafts/paints/colour books/ board games and such I just point them in that direction

Its okay to have unstructured time and learn to enjoy finding things to do in that time. I don't mind a bit of tech either as long as it doesn't become the only go to.

I think its a good thing to be bored occasionally as some parents these days think they have to always entertain their children with expensive trips and soft play centres. When my children were small i used to tell them to find something to do themselves if they were bored and they used to make up their own games, now Iam a Nan, i will be doing the same as i think the simple things like park and games in garden are perfect.

totally!! kids need to be bored, it develops their imagination and gives them resilience and patience. There is nothing worse than kids having to do various organised activites without just being able to play and to play outside with their friends/

Of course - it's good for the imagination

I think it is good for kids to get bored as they need to learn that if they want entertaining, they cannot expect it on tap

To a certain extent yes as it encourages the child to explore new activities and think for themselves

yes, it goods for everyone, its downtime as well as a chance to reignite their imaginations

I think it's good for kids to be bored and make their own games up. As a child, I had to learn to entertain myself and play on my own accord when I was bored, especially if my parents were busy renovating the run-down home we bought!

yes because it helps them entertain themselves

Yes and no. They don’t really get bored as they’re young and they get on with their own playing. As they’re older, it’s important that they get space for themselves, whether you call that boredom or space is up to you 😊

Mine are older now and it gets increasingly harder to keep them off devices, but we do have tech free time and they will then start to make their own entertainment (after the initial protest). For the older one (12) it’s usually reading, listening to music and doodling, for the 9-year-old drawing or Lego. So yes, I think to be ‘bored’ is good, if that means not always having entertainment on tap.

I would like to say yes, but honestly no. My child cannot amuse them self without tech sadly. You don't hear a peep when they are on devices but as soon as they are told to come off they become almost numb nuts not knowing what to do with themselves , I totally blame us the parents , we have allowed this to happen.

they should have the time to do things

i have children aged 4, 18 and 19. They seemed to be bored so easy nowadays. My older two were quite happy with paints and crayons but my youngest always wants to be going out somewhere

My husband always says only boring people get bored as a joke, not sure if that's has anything to do with my little ones never being bored, they always managed to fins something fun or interesting to do to keep themselves entertained

I think it is good for kids to experience boredom, it gives them a chance to use their imagination and learn how to enjoy their own company