One week to go on the Easter holidays and most parents are probably familiar with the phrase ‘I’m bored’.

But with parents booking kids into camps and having video games to occupy them, are people forgetting the importance of letting kids use their imagination and entertain themselves?

Columnist with the Irish Independent Mary McCarthy told Newstalk Breakfast that leaving kids to their own devices teaches them the essential skill of how to respond to boredom.

“I think that parents are quite competitive as well,” she said.

“They kind of feel a week banging around at home doing nothing, they don’t want to waste that week.

“Maybe they are working, but even people I know who aren't working are there on holidays themselves.”

Ms McCarthy said that there is plenty of research to show that kids come up with more creative ideas when participating in ‘boring’ activities.

You can listen back to the full interview here:

Main image: Tired parents, frustrated and active child being naughty and playful. Image: Yuri Arcurs / Alamy. 3 February 2022