Like a kid doodling in class, maybe NYT crossword clue

The clue “Like a kid doodling in class, maybe” brings to mind a classic classroom scene — a student half-listening, head resting on one hand, the other absentmindedly sketching in the margins of their notebook. The behavior hints at someone not engaged with the lesson, looking for a mental escape. So what emotion usually sparks this kind of fidgety creativity?

The answer is “bored.” Doodling is a common habit when our minds are under-stimulated or craving a distraction. In this case, the crossword clue uses that familiar image to point toward boredom — a feeling many of us remember from long school days. It’s a clever way to turn a universal experience into a quick and satisfying answer.