But I'm Bored!: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids

by Lizzie Assa

Good Inside meets Fair Play in this inspiring, real-world guide to fostering independent play in children—both as a vital skill for kids’ development and an essential act for modern parents’ well-being and sanity.

“But I’m bored.” Parents constantly hear these three dreaded words from their kids, and it’s no secret why—our kids don’t know how to play by themselves anymore and make their own fun. Busy schedules, on-demand screens, and safety concerns have transformed the landscape of play for children today, and parents have been unfairly expected to fill in the gap. We love our kids, but we don’t need to play with them 24/7 to be a good parent!

Independent play is Lizzie Assa’s specialty, and she has become the go-to expert on the topic to the 200K parents who follow her on Instagram and the 20K newsletter subscribers who get her weekly updates and ideas. The key, she argues, is to prioritize independent, unstructured play. The kids can develop their imagination…and parents can enjoy some precious, much-needed time to themselves!

In “But I’m Bored!”, Assa shows exactly how to strike this balance. Through high-impact, low-effort strategies, parents learn how to create play pockets in their home, choose open-ended toys that spark imagination, set play boundaries (and stick to them), and enforce the wonders of quiet time. Then, when parents do engage in play time with their kid, it doesn’t feel like a job—it strengthens their relationship to their child and helps cultivate an overall happier, healthier environment for the whole family.

“But I’m Bored!” isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about freeing your child to be authentically themselves…so you can be the best version of yourself. Because doesn’t every child (and parent) deserve that?

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Allison R · Rating 5 out of 5]

But I’m Bored is a wonderful book that perfectly captures my philosophy around play. I love how Lizzie explains what play really is and why it’s so important for young children. She shares her expertise in a way that adds knowledge for parents without overwhelming or shaming them.

In a space where many social media influencers can feel pushy or preachy, Lizzie’s approach feels supportive and encouraging. Her ideas around play prompts align so closely with my own teaching philosophy and understanding of child development.

This book is an excellent resource for parents who aren’t child development experts—it offers clear, practical suggestions and real-life examples that make play feel accessible and doable. Truly a wonderful guide. Way to go!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Lizzie’s social media while I was still in my teacher training program and instantly followed because she aligned so closely with my personal philosophy of education. Through 5 years in the classroom, I applied many of Lizzie’s ideas and strategies to help engage my students in their learning and give them ownership of our work together. Now, I’m at stay-at-home mom and I was stoked when I learned that Lizzie had written a book! I devoured this (as much as anyone actively parenting can devour a book) and found it to be both a really nice source to remind me “ok, I am doing some really wonderful things to support my child” and also to guide me in next steps today and into the future. I absolutely recommend “But I’m Bored” to anyone who has or loves young children.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

But I'm Bored! is an incredibly helpful resource for any parent or caregiver who wants to nurture a child’s capacity for play. In a world where screens can feel like the easiest solution for keeping kids occupied, this book offers a refreshing, judgment-free framework for expanding both imaginative play and independent play skills.

I found myself highlighting many sections, and I know I’ll return to this book as my preschool-age son grows and we work on new stages of play together. Lizzie Assa provides practical insights that are both encouraging and realistic, making this a valuable guide for families.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.

[Val Boshart | VKB READS 💕 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me at the title. It was as if the author could see into my home!!

I really enjoy “self help” books but feel they sometimes run too long without enough substance, leaving me thinking “this could have been an article.” But this book felt like it was the perfect length and I was jotting down notes from start to finish.

I appreciated how realistic the author’s approach was, highlighting possible barriers or where you might take things too far and pulling you back in.

Highly recommend this to moms of littles!

[Taylar Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was a great book to help introduce independent play to parents. It's the book I wish had been available when my girls first started becoming more interested in toys,they are now 2.5 and 4 years old. I found this book to be a great reminder and refresher for the wonders of independent play!