With many states still observing stay-at-home orders, it’s no surprise that everyone in our families is getting a little bit of cabin fever these days. 

Since kids of all ages are social creatures and thrive and grow from being around their friends in school, camp, and other settings, one of the hardest challenges for parents may be pulling their tweens and teens away from their screens. Afterall, it’s their only source of connection during this difficult time. 

Related: Free Resources to Keep Kids Busy While Schools Are Closed (Updated)

Even as adults, our go-to reaction to boredom is to mindlessly scroll through our social feeds, and with all kinds of fun challenges popping up on social media during these unprecedented times, it gets harder and harder to look away — but we all need a break sometimes!

Below are some fun boredom busters designed for the older kids in your family. Within these activities and games to pass the time, there are a few games that will encourage the whole family to put down their phones together and share some quality time as a family!


CREATIVE ROOTS PAINT YOUR OWN

Kids can paint, design, and display a 6-inch ceramic figure that starts out as a blank canvas. Kids can discover the art of color mixing by creating different hues, vibrant color schemes, and decorative accents. Available in trendy animals, including a fox and a llama (each sold separately).

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BEYBLADE BURST RISE HYPERSPHERE VERTICAL DROP BATTLE SET

This Beystadium features three sections specially designed for exciting Beyblade Burst battles. Climb the vertical wall, speed along the brink, and get the drop on your opponents during high-intensity battles. The set includes two Battling Tops with GT Chips.

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  • Ages: 8+
  • Manufacturer: HASBRO
  • MSRP: $34.99

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DANGER NOODLE CARD GAME

In this card game, players race to earn 30 points by collecting kind animals and avoiding angry animals like the Sea Spider (octopus). If players draw a Danger Noodle (snake), they must return all of their cards.

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KC3: KEYPAD CODING ROBOT

Kids can build and program a robot using beginner-friendly coding methods. After mastering the basics, kids can code KC3 with more difficult tasks and challenges. The robot can be rebuilt into three different configurations: a shooter, a doodler, and a sweeper.

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  • Ages: 8+
  • Manufacturer: ELENCO
  • MSRP: $44.99

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MARSHMALLOW TEST

Inspired by the marshmallow experiment, this game rewards patience, but only for so long. Players will win tricks by playing the highest card in the established color. They will score more points the longer they wait to use it, but will get no points if they wait too long.

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FUNKOVERSE: KOOL-AID MAN

Players can combine this expansion pack with any of the other Funkoverse strategy games in which players go head-to-head as their favorite characters. The Kool-Aid Man’s skills include bursting through walls and attacking adjacent rivals with splash-zone abilities.

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STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN THE CHILD 500-PIECE PUZZLE

He’s affectionately known as “Baby Yoda,” but The Mandalorian’s adorable 50-year-old sidekick is officially dubbed “The Child.” Kids and families can pass the time by assembling this 500-piece puzzle that showcases beautiful artwork of The Child and his bounty hunting companion. This puzzle is made in the U.S.

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STARLINK

In Starlink, 3-6 players can create their own constellations by connecting the stars together in the night sky. The drawing game encourages creativity as players attempt to represent secret words by drawing straight lines between stars in the night sky.

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CARPOOL KARAOKE GAME

Got moves like Jagger or a voice like Ariana? Using your favorite music app or streaming service, select a song and duel other players — in song, dance moves, or celebrity trivia — for points.

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SPIROGRAPH SCRATCH & SHIMMER

Kids can use the stylus tool, deluxe non-slip ring, and glittery gears to scratch beautiful designs on special coated paper. Add an artistic touch to almost anything with sparkly or rainbow scratch stickers. Kids can also use their own pens with the tools in the kit to draw Spirograph designs on regular paper.

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LEGO MINIONS & THEIR BRICK BUILT LAIRS

Kids can build up brick versions of Kevin and Stuart, then turn the models around to reveal the room playset inside, complete with tools, hats, pretend weapons, and figures for role play. Kids can construct two Minion models at a time and then rebuild Kevin into Bob.

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