Technology’s a double-edged sword. We all carry it, we all have to deal with it. Yes, it’s opened incredible doors for learning, creativity, and connection—but it’s also tied children constantly to screens, making the challenge of engaging them off-screen all the tougher.

So, how do you raise kids who roam with dirty hands, messy faces, and feet that take them on real-world adventures? How do you flip the script so boredom becomes a trigger for curiosity, movement, and growth—not complaints and screen-time meltdowns?

Your reaction and words that you use when the screaming of “I’m bored” echoes through the house, will either derail you as a parent, or propel you to the top of the mountain—but you have to be willing to take a chance on what you know works for your child.

Cover your ears and engage your hands. That’s where your heart meets your child’s curiosity.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Cover your ears and engage your hands!

Any high-pitch whine can have you running with the dogs. When you ignore the fuss of “I’m bored,” that opens up the door for more. More fun. More experiences. More memories.

Here are 3 battle-tested strategies to win the “boredom” war this summer—strategies that don’t involve new toys, expensive camps, or endless handing over your phone.

1. Invent Adventures Together

Give your kids the gift of imagination. Sit down and co-create “mission days” where you’re all explorers, scientists, or nature detectives. Set challenges like:

• Backyard Safari: Hunt for bugs, leaves, and rocks. Who can find the weirdest insect?
• DIY Obstacle Course: Use cushions, ropes, and chalk to create a course that tests agility and creativity.
• Treasure Hunts: Write little riddles and clues leading them around the house or park.

When kids are part of the plan, they move from passive “boredom victims” to active participants in the fun. Plus, peeling dirt from under fingernails beats any screen glow.

2. Create with What’s Around You

Forget fancy kits or tech toys. Grab art supplies, recyclables, sticks, mud, or kitchen ingredients and make a mess. Paint rocks to decorate the garden, build forts, or whip up mud pies. These hands-on projects engage their senses and develop fine motor skills—not to mention ignite their creativity.

You don’t need Pinterest-perfect results. Kids crave real experiences, the ones where they can get dirty, experiment, and own what they make—even if it’s messy or imperfect.

3. Turn Screen Time Into Stepping Stones

Cutting off tech altogether is unrealistic—and not even necessary. Instead, use tech as a springboard. Let your child watch a nature documentary, then head outside to find the animals or plants featured in it. Or use a simple app to stargaze, then go outside at night to catch constellations.

By connecting digital content to real-world action, you empower your child to use technology, not be used by it.

You Are the Ultimate Distraction

Remember: as a parent, you are the best distraction from boredom. Don’t buy into the trap that your kids’ “I’m bored” moments mean you have to shell out more money or let screens win the day. Instead, create your own adventures with your children.

So, this summer, toss out the boredom scripts your kids throw at you. Pick up your dusty shoes, roll up your sleeves, and join their messy, joyous, adventurous world. Dirty hands, wild laughter, and tired feet? That’s parenting summer style—with no screams of “I’m bored” in sight.

Go and create your now with your children; that’s where memories are made.

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“