Do Spirits Get Bored? Why You Should Always Use Equipment on Paranormal Investigations

One of the most common debates in the paranormal field revolves around equipment. Should investigators bring lots of gear to a location, or go in empty-handed and rely solely on intuition and the natural environment? Both approaches have their merits, and I fully respect anyone’s chosen method. But I’ll be honest: I’m firmly in the camp that believes bringing equipment – not just some, but a range of different tools – is not only helpful, but essential.

And I’ll explain why, using a simple but powerful analogy.

The Empty Playground Analogy

Think of it like this: imagine you’re taking your children to a play park. You get them excited about the trip, tell them how much fun it’ll be, maybe even bring some snacks and drinks for the outing. But when you arrive, you find the park is completely empty. No swings. No slide. No seesaw. No toys. Just a patch of grass and a couple of benches.

How long do you think your kids will stay interested?

Most likely, they’ll get bored pretty quickly. With nothing to engage with – nothing designed for them to use or enjoy – they’ll wander around for a few minutes, then ask when they can leave. It’s not that the space itself is bad. It’s just… there’s nothing for them to do.

Now think about that same principle, but apply it to a paranormal investigation. You often walk into these allegedly haunted locations asking spirits to come forward, to give us a sign, to interact with us. But if you don’t bring anything for them to interact with, aren’t you just standing in the middle of an empty park asking for attention?

Spirits May Not Be So Different from Us

Of course, we don’t know exactly what spirits are or how they think – if they think in a human way at all. But many investigators believe that if spirits are conscious entities, they may have personalities, moods, and preferences. And like anyone, they may respond better when they’re given something interesting to engage with.

That’s where equipment comes in.

Each piece of gear we bring is not just a tool for us – it’s a possible point of communication for them. Some light up. Some make noise. Some respond to touch, proximity, vibration, or changes in temperature or EM fields. In a way, each device is like a toy in a playground – something that invites interaction. Something that says, “Here’s a way to show you’re here.”

Creating an Interactive Environment

When you prepare for an investigation, think less about capturing “proof” and more about creating an environment where paranormal interaction can happen naturally. The more opportunities you can offer for communication, the more likely something interesting is to occur. Think of it like setting up an experiment with multiple ways to measure the same outcome. If one device doesn’t respond, another might.

And I’ve seen it happen time and time again.

One night, you might get nothing out of a spirit box, but your motion sensor triggers repeatedly. Another night, the EMF detector lights up every time a certain question is asked.

If you hadn’t brought those tools, would anything have happened at all? Maybe. But maybe not. That’s the point.

What Equipment Offers That Nothing Else Does

Here’s what I believe good paranormal equipment adds to an investigation:

• Focus: Tools like REM pods and K-II meters give both investigators and spirits something specific to focus on. They create clear moments of interaction rather than vague impressions.
• Feedback: Devices provide tangible feedback. A light flashing, a sensor going off, a temperature drop captured on a display—these are measurable, observable events.
• Validation: When multiple devices react in tandem or in response to specific questions, it strengthens the case for intelligent interaction.
• Inclusion: Equipment can engage both skeptical and believing team members alike. It gives everyone something to observe, interpret, and discuss.
• Curiosity: I like to think that spirits might actually be curious about the things we bring with us. If they once lived, they may still be drawn to lights, sounds, and devices they can try to manipulate.

What Happens When You Bring Nothing?

Now, that’s not to say that nothing ever happens when you bring no equipment. I’ve read accounts of people experiencing disembodied voices, cold spots, shadow figures, or unexplained feelings without a single gadget involved. I don’t discount those experiences.

But without tools, you’re relying entirely on subjective perception – and that makes it harder to document, harder to share, and harder to analyse.

Moreover, spirits might simply lose interest. Imagine being asked to show up, only to find there’s no way to make your presence known except through vague impressions. No lights to touch. No sound-based devices to manipulate. No way to “play,” so to speak.

They might just move on.

Building a Spiritual Playground

So my philosophy is simple: give them something to do.

When you go into a haunted location, you want it to feel like a welcoming space for communication. Set up REM pods. Place trigger objects. Lay out motion sensors. Run spirit boxes and temperature probes. Not because every device will work, but because any one of them might.

Mobile apps, when designed correctly and used responsibly, can add value to an investigation and provide great spirit communication. The more diverse the tools, the more channels you offer for something – or someone – to reach through.

It’s not about chasing ghosts with gadgets. It’s about building a bridge between worlds. One piece of equipment at a time.

Final Thoughts

If you prefer to investigate with nothing but your intuition, more power to you. But if I were you, I would keep showing up with a backpack full of gear. Because if I were a spirit, and someone arrived with lights, sounds, and interactive tools that let me express myself – I’d stick around.

And maybe, just maybe, I’d say hello.