Gratitude Boredom Busters for Families –This Fall, our materials for adults focus on the Sabbath, and giving thanks for time for rest, restoration, and rejuvenation. Adults aren’t the only ones that need help protecting the Sabbath, our kids do too. One of the struggles with a day off of work can be defining what is work (chores, errands, etc.) and what is play, and the challenge that rises for many of us in unstructured time. Unstructured time is an opportunity for creativity but it can also be the birthplace of boredom. Boredom is something that is a part of the human condition so it has been studied by psychologists and written about in poems and books. Many researchers suggest that the way forward through boredom is to find activities that reorient us towards our goals. In other words, the best way to bust through boredom is to connect with things that bring us joy and meaning. There was a study once that showed that individuals who wanted to be doctors or surgeons often lacked the fine motor skills necessary for the job and so it was recommended that students take up embroidery or cross stitch as a hobby. Sometimes, the things we do as a hobby can help us in other arenas of our lives. The enclosed activity is building upon this idea, of the things we want to be and do in our lives can help us push through boredom. It’s also built on the belief that boredom is an opportunity for creativity and connection. Some of the activities invite us to do something together, and two are left open for your family to craft together. We hope this boredom buster will help your family connect, get creative, play, and deepen your connections with one another and the world around you.

To make it more fun, cover the options with a scratch off sticker (included with the kits we send in the mail) so the activity is a surprise.