Create an Activity Jar
A simple, general jar for moments of 'I don't know what to do'.
Keep it Simple
Usually for parents managing kids, or just for yourself.
Low-Stakes Fun
Add easy activities: 'Draw a picture', 'Build Lego', 'Call Grandma', 'Clean your room' (maybe sneak that one in).
Instant Cure
When boredom strikes, spin. The rule is you HAVE to do it for at least 15 minutes.
The "I'm Bored" Emergency
Every parent dreads the phrase. Every young adult on a rainy Sunday knows it. Boredom itself isn't the problem — research shows boredom is actually a signal that you need more stimulation. The problem is that when boredom strikes, your brain is in a low-energy state that makes it nearly impossible to think of something fun to do. You scroll TikTok instead, which makes the boredom worse.
A Pre-Loaded Fun Button
The Boredom Buster Jar is your emergency fun kit. Load it during high-energy moments with easy, low-barrier activities: "Draw for 15 minutes", "Build a blanket fort", "Call Grandma", "Make a smoothie", "Go for a 10-minute walk", "Learn a card trick". The key is specificity — "Do something creative" is too vague and requires more decision-making. "Draw a self-portrait in 10 minutes" is concrete and actionable.
For parents, the real trick is adding a mix of genuinely fun activities and productive ones. When the jar randomly lands on "Tidy your room for 10 minutes," the commitment to follow the jar's decision means the chore gets done without a battle.