It’s mid-summer. The days are long, the snack stash is disappearing faster than you can replenish it, and the phrase “I’m bored” seems to echo through the house every hour.
If you’re a parent, especially one working from home or managing a household full-time, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to get anything done when your kids are restless, screen-bound, or following you around like shadows.
Summer days can feel extra long when the novelty of free time wears off and the structure of the school year is nowhere in sight. Your patience is running thin. Your to-do list isn’t getting any shorter. And your kids? They’re glued to their screens, asking for DoorDash, or wandering the house in a fog of boredom.
But here’s the thing: summer boredom is normal — and it can even be good.
“When we are constantly entertained, it doesn’t lead us to opportunities to occupy ourselves and engage in activities like reading a book, playing with toys, or building a fort,” says Dr. Kate Eshleman, psychologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
Boredom helps kids learn how to be creative, solve problems, and entertain themselves. But that doesn’t mean you need to leave them entirely to their own devices (literally or figuratively). Sometimes, a little guidance can go a long way.
Yes, your kids are more bored than you were
If you feel like your kids are constantly bored in a way you never were as a kid, you’re right. A survey of 2,000 parents with kids ages 3 to 12 found that it takes just 33 minutes for today’s kids to get bored. Even during the school year, 81% of parents said their children are “always looking for something to do.”
For teens, the numbers are still high: in 2021, nearly half of high school seniors said they were bored often.
What’s driving this rise in boredom?
Experts point to several things — most notably, screens. Kids today are used to constant digital stimulation. When the screen turns off, the real world can feel dull in comparison.
“Kids don’t play like they used to because kids today don’t live in the same world that generations in the past have grown up in,” said Jillian Amodio, LMSW, in an interview with Parents magazine.
Attention spans are also shorter. Developmentally, a child can focus for only two to three times their age in minutes. That’s just 20 to 30 minutes for a 10-year-old unless they’re truly engaged.
Then, there’s the reality for parents. Between work, housework, meals, errands, and maybe even trying to squeeze in a little time for yourself, it’s hard to constantly come up with ideas, let alone be your child’s social director.
So yes, your kids may be more bored than you were. Meanwhile, you’re likely more stretched than your parents ever were.
Backyard boredom busters that don’t rely on screens
Sometimes, the key to breaking the boredom is changing the environment. One of the best places to do that? The backyard.
Try a garden project, big or small
There’s something calming and productive about caring for something living. Giving your child their own flower bed or container garden gives them a sense of ownership and a reason to head outside each day. Whether it’s pumpkins, zinnias, or cherry tomatoes, the act of tending a garden helps kids develop patience, responsibility, and a quiet sense of purpose.
Bring the neighborhood together
Kids don’t always get bored because they lack activities; they often get bored because they’re missing connection.
Consider teaming up with neighbors to bring a little excitement to your street. Maybe you could organize a Kona Ice visit or schedule a mobile gaming trailer for an afternoon. Even a backyard movie night or water balloon battle can give your kids something to look forward to and remind them they’re not the only ones craving a little fun.
Trina, the mom blogger behind Coffee and Confetti Mom, often hosts outdoor movie nights at her Indiana home. She sets up an inflatable screen, outdoor-safe projector, and speakers near her swim spa and deck so that kids can watch from the water or a lounge chair. Movie night favorites have included a Shark Week theme with “Jaws,” “The Incredibles,” and “Scooby-Doo.”
Use your swim spa as a splash zone
If you have a swim spa, this is its moment to shine. Water relays, pool noodle jousts, or just a low-key soak can make the backyard the place to be. An H2X Fitness Swim Spa gives your kids a chance to be active, burn energy, and have fun without needing to leave the house or stare at a screen.
An alternative to a home swimming pool, an H2X Swim Spa offers space for swimming, water exercise, and family fun. The spacious swim area is perfect for pool games, relaxing on a float, or swimming against the endless current. Plus, there are soothing massage jets and contoured seating for hydrotherapy.
Add just enough structure
One of the hidden reasons kids feel bored in summer is because the day feels endless. A little bit of structure helps break it up and gives them something to anchor their time around without turning your home into a rigid schedule.
Try creating theme days like:
- “Make-It Monday” for crafts or cooking
- “Try-It Tuesday” for learning a new skill
- “Water Wednesday” for all things splashy (swim spa, hose, water balloons)
- “Thoughtful Thursday” for reading or quiet projects
- “Free Friday” where they get to plan the day
Even loosely following this kind of plan gives kids something to look forward to and gives you a framework to fall back on when boredom hits.
Encourage independent projects
One of the most empowering things we can give kids is permission to own something. Whether that’s building a LEGO creation, making a short video, learning how to bake, or writing their own comic book, personal projects give them purpose — and a break from asking you what to do next.
You can help by setting up a space with supplies: markers, notebooks, building kits, a cookbook, or even a journal. Then step back. Let them experiment, fail, try again, and figure things out on their own.
Reading is another go-to option. Create a summer reading challenge, let them pick the books, and celebrate the wins. Graphic novels, audiobooks, silly series: it all counts.
Let boredom happen (just a little)
You don’t need to fill every moment. You’re not failing if your kids are bored. In fact, letting them feel a little bored is one of the best ways to help them grow.
The key is balance. Give them tools. Offer ideas. Add light structure. But let them wrestle with the boredom, too. That’s where creativity starts.
And remember: you’re doing great. Summer isn’t easy, especially when you’re carrying the mental load for your household. You’re allowed to feel tired. You’re allowed to say “go outside.” And time in the water definitely counts as a win.
Make your backyard a boredom-free zone
If you’re looking for a way to encourage screen-free play, beat the summer slump, and give your kids something fun to do every day, an H2X Fitness Swim Spa might be the missing piece.
From splash contests to swim challenges to quiet evening floats, a swim spa brings movement and connection home without adding stress to your day.
Create a backyard that works for your family — this summer and all year long. Explore the full lineup of H2X Fitness Swim Spas or contact your local dealer.