HELP KIDS BEAT BOREDOM WITHOUT A SCREEN

Hagit Segal
Jul 25
3 min read

We’ve all heard as parents: “I’m bored!”

It’s tempting to jump in with solutions: an activity, a show, a list of things to do. But what if boredom wasn’t something to fix but something to explore?

In one of our most popular Kid Power episodes, “What to Do When You’re Bored,” kids learn that boredom can be a spark, the beginning of new ideas, creativity, and confidence. Each Mistake and Friends character shows how kids can make the most of quiet, unstructured time and they’re all rooted in personality and imagination.

You don’t need to entertain your child when they’re bored.

Instead of jumping in with a complete plan, try gently pointing them in a direction based on their interests and letting them decide what happens next. This helps children:

Build ownership over their time
Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills
Learn to self-regulate without relying on screens

Below are a few character-inspired paths to spark your child’s imagination.

RYANGRY: MOVEMENT, CHALLANGE, AND COMPETITION

Ryangry kids are full of energy and love a good challenge. They’re motivated by competition, structure, and clear goals. They love:

Outdoor games and sports
Creating obstacle courses
Turning everyday moments into mini-competitions

Instead of saying: “Let’s play a game.”

Try asking: “Can you come up with a backyard Olympics?”

DRAMAMIA: PERFORMANCE AND EXPRESSION

Dramamia kids light up in front of others and love to express themselves through music, art, and imagination. It can be harder for them to play solo, but they thrive when given creative tools. They love:

Singing and dancing
Putting on puppet shows or skits
Creating characters and telling stories

Instead of saying: “Want to make a puppet show?”

Try asking: “What would a show with glittery aliens look like?”

PLEASINGTON: CARING, CREATING, AND CONNECTING

Pleasington kids enjoy comfort, routine, and caring for others. They feel fulfilled when they can nurture something or someone around them. They love:

Cooking simple snacks
Watering plants or gardening
Making cards or crafts for loved ones

Instead of saying: “Let’s bake together.”

Try asking: “Who could use a homemade card or treat today?”

PERFECTRON: LEARNING AND ORGANIZING

Perfectron kids love systems, knowledge, and structure. They’re naturally curious and enjoy quiet time exploring new ideas or organizing their world. They love:

Reading or researching facts
Organizing books or collections
Planning and making lists

Instead of saying: “Let’s clean your room.”

Try asking: “Can you organize your toys like a museum?”

FEAROLINA: JOURNALING AND IMAGINATIVE PLAY

Fearolina kids have deep inner worlds and strong imaginations. Although they may appear quiet, they’re dreaming, drawing, or building entire worlds inside. They love:

Journaling or sketching
Storytelling and daydreaming
Quiet solo play with dolls or figures

Instead of saying: “Write a story.”

Try asking: “What would happen if your stuffed animals went on an adventure?”

Why This Matters

When we step back and allow boredom to unfold while offering just a little support, we give our kids the space to:

Be creative
Develop emotional resilience
Learn problem-solving
And build a stronger sense of self-direction

No app can offer that.

Keep the Conversation Going

Download our free Boredom Buster Activity Sheet, designed to go with the Mistake and Friends episode, and help your child explore which character they’re most like — and how they might beat boredom their way.