Do you hear “I’m boooored” five minutes into a school break or the weekend? 😅 I hear this from so many parents as a Huntington Beach Family Photographer.

Yeah, me too.  And the easiest thing to do is hand them a screen. 

But what if boredom wasn’t a problem… what if it was actually good for them? 

Seriously! Boredom gives kids the space to imagine, create, and think for themselves. 

So instead of fighting it, let’s use it. 

These 10 screen-free activities are so fun, even your big kids will want to do them (without you begging). 

1. Make a Boredom Jar

Take a jar and fill it with folded pieces of paper. On each one, write something fun to do—like “make a card for grandma,” “build a Lego castle,” or “draw a comic.” When kids say “I’m bored,” they pull out an idea! This helps kids learn how to solve their own boredom (which is a good thing!).

Tip: Let older kids help write the ideas. That way they’re more likely to actually want to do them.

2. Backyard Photo Challenge

Give your kids a camera or old phone (in airplane mode) and tell them to take 10 cool photos outside. 

You can give them a theme like “tiny things,” “shadows,” or “stuff that looks like a face.” This helps them notice little details and be creative.

3. DIY Obstacle Course

Use things from around the house or yard to make an obstacle course!

 Jump over pillows, crawl under chairs, toss beanbags in a bucket. They’ll use their body and their brain to figure it out.

Tip: Let big kids build it and time each other. Little kids can go slower or help decorate the “course.”

My kids and I loved watching the Netflix show “The floor is lava.” That would be a fun twist to this game too!”

4. Neighborhood Mystery Walk: My 2nd favorite one as a Huntington Beach Family Photographer

This is like a made-up scavenger hunt. 

You start a story like, “A squirrel lost his golden acorn…” and they have to go find “clues” on a walk—like a shiny rock or a stick that looks like a key. This helps kids build stories and use imagination outside.

Tip: Big kids can make the mystery and lead the walk for younger siblings!

5. Mini Makerspace

Fill a box with old stuff—like cardboard, string, tape, buttons, and paper. Give them a challenge: build a spaceship, a robot, or a new kind of shoe. Let them make it however they want! This builds creativity and problem-solving.

Tip: Make sure your kids know the box can only survive for 72 hours so you don’t have a permanent fixture in your living room for weeks! 

6. Build a Backyard Café

Let your kids turn the porch, kitchen, or playroom into a café. They make a menu, decorate the space, and serve snacks (like apples and crackers). They practice planning, writing, and kindness all at once.

Tip: Older kids can cook simple snacks. Younger ones can color menus and be “waiters.”

7. Ice Cube Excavation Challenge

Freeze small toys or treasures in a big container of water. 

Once it’s frozen, give kids tools to chip away [like warm water, spoons, or toy hammers] 

It feels like a treasure hunt and keeps them busy for a long time!

Tip: Add food coloring to the water before freezing to make it even cooler!

8. Cook Without Recipes

Challenge your kids to invent a snack using 5 ingredients or less. They can mix things like crackers, cheese, and raisins—or make a new kind of sandwich. It teaches independence and kitchen confidence.

Tip: Set out a few safe ingredients and let them surprise you. Judging their “dish” is half the fun.

Do your kids, nieces or grandkids have a favorite made up snack they love to make? Do you have one? Share it here!

9. Design Your Own Board Game

Give kids paper, markers, dice, and let them invent a brand-new board game. 

They make the rules, draw the board, and even create game pieces. It’s a brain workout and a blast.

Tip: Take a video of them explaining how to play. It’s adorable and helpful if you forget later.

10. Invent-a-Holiday Day: My favorite one as a Huntington Beach Family Photographer

Let each kid create their own holiday [think “Yes Day” vibes] 

They get to name it, choose the food, pick an activity, and make decorations. You actually celebrate it for one day.

So the next time your kid says “I’m bored,” it means their brain is ready to play, imagine, and explore something new.

These screen-free activities help your kids grow, get creative, and feel proud of what they can do on their own. 
You don’t need fancy stuff or hours of planning. Just pick one and try it!

I hope reading 10 Easy Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer Without Reaching for a Tablet | Huntington Beach Family Photographer has given you some solid ideas! If you’re still looking for a  Huntington Beach Family Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of Family images.

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