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Home › Browse › The "I'm bored" jar

Free / DIY · Ages 5–13 yrs

The "I'm bored" jar

Kids write 30 things they could do, put them in a jar, and draw one when bored.

Why it works

Boredom is the starting line, not a problem to fix (Mann & Cadman, 2014).

How to do it

Rule: you have to do the first one you draw.

Good for

Pairs well with

Tegu Non-Magnetic Perfect Blocks, 120 pieces

20% below the maker's regular priceBuilt to lastAges 3–10 yrs
$40$50 on tegu.com, checked Oct 20, 2026

Beautiful wood blocks in a modern palette. They look nice enough to leave out in the living room, which is half the battle for getting kids to play with blocks.

Honest drawback: Non-magnetic, so towers topple more easily than with Tegu's magnetic line. Some kids find that frustrating, others find it more satisfying.

PlanToys 50 Unit Blocks

Built to lastAges 2–8 yrs
$89.99 on plantoys.com, checked Oct 20, 2026

Proper unit blocks, the kind every good preschool classroom has, made from reclaimed rubberwood. PlanToys says they use formaldehyde-free glue and water-based dyes.

Honest drawback: Fifty blocks is a starter set. Classrooms use hundreds.

Lovevery Wooden Block Set

Built to lastAges 1–6 yrs
See current price on the maker's site

Seventy pieces with 20+ activities designed by a team of child development experts. Toddlers get easy wins, and it grows into real engineering with ramps, arches and pegs.

Honest drawback: Premium price for blocks, so you're paying for the design and the activity guide.