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 is important for kids to be able to entertain themselves and to learn how to combat boredom by coming up with their own activities to amuse themselves.

I don't like the kids to be bored - always find the school summer holidays a challenge with two children of varying ages.. I try to plan a variety of trips (some free, some at cost), try to think of some fun things we can do at home. e,g, nature treasure hunts.. if the kids are bored, I encourage them to write lists of activity ideas theyd like to try!

I think when kids say they are bored they are craving attention and a child mind should always be active

They need to learn how to entertain themselves, I'm trying to link their screen time as all they seem to do is play on tablets or TV. We took them camping and they kept begging for our phones which was so frustrating.

I think a boredom very occasionally is good if you encourage them to use their imaginations when they are, although they may need a few prompts.

Learning to cope with some boredom and developing strategies to deal with it is an important part of growing up and maturing

Not if it can be helped. Otherwise you end up with expensive lipstick all over the walls

Yes!! It helps them be creative and shows them that there will always be times in life where there isn't entertainment on

With all children have these days they should never be bored! Children need to be able to entertain themselves for short periods

Children need to feel bored to teach them how to entertain themselves.It is important for them to use their imagination.Mine had lots of activity toys like play kitchens garages and lego. They also used to build dens with blankets and cushions and I made sure they developed a love of books.You are never bored if you love reading,
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I think boredom can be a positive thing in a short term sense as it teaches kids to think about entertaining themselves, or look for solutions as to how to fill their time when its not possible for parents to be as involved in their activities. My son loves to draw so luckily whenever he is feeling like he needs to do something, we have lots of art supplies/paper and he gets creative.

I remember long, lovely hours of being bored as a kid. Our children today are so used to having entertainment fed to them whenever they want it, that I do feel a bit sad that they have no appreciation for the loveliness of boredom. It often leads to creativity, invention, and gratitude for what you have. I try to encourage it in my son, but he thinks I'm bonkers. :-)

Children getting bored is down to poor communication, between parents,siblings and friends.

It's certainly important that kids get board sometimes and are able to come up with stuff themselves to entertain themselves, at least from time to time.

I believe that kids should be bored sometimes and then learn to appreciate the toys they already own or make their own fun, they don't always appreciate that they have so much to entertain them compared to just a generation ago.

My lot stopped being bored or at least telling me they are bored. Last time they did I advised as they were bored they could help with jobs and chores. They are usually always busy dong sports or happy chilling out with friends.

Valuable for kids to have time away from distractions, to allow them to exercise the mind

I think a bit of boredom is good for them so they can learn to entertain themselves and stimulate their own imagination.

My child often says "I'm bored" but what she means is "I'm spoilt for choice". She has loads of blurays to watch, netflix at hand and hundreds of different types of toys.. I think she has too much and doesn't know what to play with or what to watch.

When my son complains of being bored I try to get him to help me, i.e housework, preparing dinner etc more often than not suddenly he's no longer bored

Yes as they need to think about how to entertaining themselves rather than having everything laid on a plate for them.

Absolutely they should be bored. If they are entertained all the time there is no room for imagination.

I don't think they should be bored, but you don't always need to organise activities for them. Sometimes, they can make up their own games and talk to their dolls or teddies etc.

I think yes as it encourages creativity to do or make or create something to not be bored

Yes, I think kids need to experience boredom so they start to use their imagination and make games up in their heads or indeed offer to help with some chores around the home to alleviate this.