Kids today ... I remember when I was little I would just chill in the garden or find something to keep me entertained yet these days kids need constant stimulation. I am gobsmacked when M says to me he is "bored". How with everything you have can you possibly be bored?

Then it clicked, Its not that he has "nothing to do" ... Its more he cant think of what he wants to do. So that's where this gem come in to play.

The boredom jar.


Its such a simple idea ... I'm surprised I hadn't heard of it before.

Take a bunch of lolly pop sticks and write activities on them. When your little one says the dreaded words, ask then to pick a stick from the jar.

He's the catch though ... They HAVE TO DO IT! And not every stick is a fun activity but that's the compromise as there are also sticks in there that might be stuff your not keen on either. Whatever they pull is what they do


Making them is easy too. All you need is some washi tape and 100 lolly pop sticks. You don't even have to use different colours - I just did cause I have a fair few rolls of washi for my planners :)

There are loads of ideas you can use on Pinterest but here is the 100 I used for our jar ... Feel free to use it or make up your own.

1. One chore (mum’s choice) 
2. One chore (your choice) 
3. Play with clay or play-dough 
4. Draw a dinosaur 
5. Make a map of the neighbourhood 
6. Make a map of your imaginary town 
7. Gather up any washing 
8. Sweep up the Living room floor 
9. Play a board game 
10. Play a card game 
11. Colour in 
12. Make a time capsule 
13. Build a blanket fort 
14. Play outside for 30 minutes 
15. 15 minutes of screen time 
16. 30 minutes of screen time 
17. Draw a castle 
18. Draw a city 
19. Watch a movie 
20. Go to the library 
21. Read for 15 minutes 
22. Read for 30 minutes 
23. Read for 45 minutes 
24. Call a relative 
25. Tell a story 
26. Make play-dough 
27. Make cookies 
28. Bake something 
29. Have a treat 
30. Eat a piece of fruit 
31. Write a list of 20 things that make you happy 
32. Take a walk 
33. Find five nature items and identify them 
34. Learn five facts about any animal 
35. Learn five facts about any country 
36. Draw your house 
37. Draw a family portrait 
38. Do a craft on your own 
39. Clean your toys out 
40. Find five toys to donate to someone else 
41. Write a story that starts with, “One day, I went to the moon.” 
42. Play hopscotch 
43. 20 minutes of exercise 
44. Do 20 jumping jacks 
45. Count to 200 
46. Practise math for 15 minutes 
47. Clean out your room 
48. Sort laundry into darks and lights 
49. Draw a dog 
50. Draw a galaxy 
51. Play in your room for 30 minutes 
52. Play a video game for 1 hour 
53. Sweep the kitchen floor 
54. Make a comic book 
55. Take a bubble bath 
56. Take a shower 
57. Water the plants 
58. Choose a treat out the lucky bag 
59. Draw a jungle 
60. Draw a dragon 
61. Paint 
62. Make bubble solution and blow bubbles 
63. Do one science experiment, your choice 
64. Do one science experiment, mum’s choice 
65. Read one book 
66. Learn five facts about any person 
67. Go to the park 
68. Build with LEGOs 
69. Watch one show 
70. Mum’s choice 
71. Make someone a “just because” card 
72. Create a family flag 
73. Listen to music 
74. Draw a picture for mum 
75. Draw a picture for dad 
76. Draw a picture and mail it to someone 
77. Write a letter 
78. Organise your toys 
79. Rest quietly for 30 minutes 
80. Draw with your foot 
81. Draw dad 
82. Draw mum 
83. Thumb wrestle 
84. One hour of screen time 
85. Update your birthday or holiday wish list 
86. Make a collage 
87. Draw a beautiful tree 
88. Choose any toy and play for 30 minutes 
89. Finish and illustrate this story: “Once upon a time, I ate a dinosaur.” 
90. Have a picnic 
91. Make a robot out of recycled stuff 
92. Doodle for 20 minutes 
93. Write a poem 
94. Make a bird feeder or fill one you already own 
95. Make brownies 
96. Do an art project 
97. Make paper airplanes 
98. Take pictures or have a photo shoot 
99. Find a rock and paint it 
100. Draw an aquarium