Leisure time management for children with ADHD: How to turn boredom into an opportunity - and also a printable file - the "I'm bored" box.

"I'm bored!!!"

Why is this challenging?

Children with ADHD experience free time differently. They may deal with:

Difficulty making choices

Call for attention

It is important to understand that when a child says “I’m bored,” it is often a call for attention. Children don’t always know how to ask for their parents’ attention directly, so they may use phrases like “I’m bored” to express their need for involvement and attention. This is an important moment when parents can listen to their child’s needs and help them find fun and engaging activities.

Correct balance

To make free time enjoyable and useful, it is important to create the right balance between the types of activities:

Free time

Physical activity:

Creation and play:

Types of activities

To enrich your free time, here are some types of activities that might be suitable:

Personal hobbies

Practical ideas

To make planning easier, here are some practical ideas:

Craft corner:

Pet corner

Personal collection

Favorite sport

Agree wisely.

To manage screen time correctly:

Quality content:

Promotional talk

An open dialogue with the child can help him choose activities:

"What do you feel like doing today?"

"I have an idea for a new activity."

"Shall we try something new?"

"How will we plan our day?"

"What did you learn today?"

Remember, quality free time is an opportunity for growth, learning, and shared enjoyment. Take the time to plan activities that will suit your child's needs, and be flexible if necessary.

Create a “family idea bank” –

To add an idea to the "I'm Bored" box with a list of activity ideas, here is an example of a list that can be helpful for parents and children:

"I'm Bored" Box Activity Ideas

1. Artistic creation:

Drawing with paints or markers

Sculpting with plasticine

Making a collage from recycled materials

2. Movement games:

Dance to your favorite music

Ball games in the yard or park

Practicing yoga or stretching

3. Outdoor activities:

A short walk in the neighborhood or in the park

Gardening – planting plants or flowers

Nature Collections – Searching for stones, leaves or flowers

4. Brain games:

Puzzles or board games

Riddles or crosswords

Building models with cubes

5. Social activities:

Meeting with friends for games

Organizing a tea party or small picnic

Creating a puppet theater with friends

6. Personal hobbies:

Reading books or comics

Writing a story or journal

Experimenting with simple recipes in the kitchen

7. Creative activities:

Preparing greeting cards for upcoming events

Take photos and create an album

Making jewelry from various materials

8. Smart Screen Time:

Watching educational movies or series

Educational games in apps

Create a family video or blog

How to use the box:

Preparation: Take an empty box or shoebox, decorate it together with the child.

List: Write the ideas on pieces of paper and put them in a box.

Usage: When the child says "I'm bored," he can pull an idea out of the box and try it.

Using this box, the child will be able to find fun and varied activities whenever he feels bored, thus making his free time more useful and interesting.

For your convenience, I have prepared a designed note file that you can print, write your ideas on notes, and even make a small "I'm bored" box yourself.

Download the file, print it, write with the children on the notes, fold it and put it in the box.

This way you will have a bank of ideas available to choose from every time you hear "I'm bored"...

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