108 Fun, Unique Things to Do When You’re Bored | The Exploreist (2024)

By Todd Maurer | Updated: October 15, 2023

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Fun things to do when bored

1: Tye-die your t-shirts

Grab a white t-shirt you no longer wear and some dyes to give them an entire makeover.

2: Take a Personality Quiz

Another great way to kill boredom is to take a personality quiz. A test fromMyers-BriggsorEnneagramis a fun way to learn more about yourself. There are also other versions likethisthat lets you find out which Disney character you are. I’m Simba. “You’re the main event, and you also stand up for what’s right.”

3: Color a coloring book

Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Grab an adult coloring book filled with intricate designs and some colored pencils and start creating. This one is one of our favorites, featuring 18 examples of unicorns texting in theaters, farting in elevators, eating your leftovers, and generally acting like jerks.

4: Download and play Pokémon GO

“It is just around the block!” I slipped into my flip-flops and rushed downstairs with my phone just to capture a rare Pokemon. That’s how crazy I was with Pokémon GO. Download it for free and find what Pokémon is in your neighborhood.

5: Play an instrument

If it doesn’t bother your neighbor, pick up a small instrument like the ukulele, which we have been obsessed with lately, and learn how to play it. It is simple, and in no time, you will be able to churn out easy songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

6: Play a group game

Gather your friends and play online games like trivia, board games, orSkribblio, where one person draws, and others guess what that person is drawing. There is also a version where you and strangers draw and guess based on the drawing from the previous person. You will be surprised at how far you’re off.

7: Sign up for a paint ‘N pour class

Paint ‘N Pour is an art studio in New York. They offer 2-hour sessions where you paint and sip up to 6 types of co*cktails. Whether you come alone or with a group of friends, you will have a blast and go home with a masterpiece.

8: Complete a jigsaw puzzle

Assemble some oddly shaped interlocking and mosaic pieces to create a masterpiece. There are lots of free versions online, andthis oneis our favorite.

9: Bake something sweet

In the mood for some sweet treats? Don’t buy them from the Paris Baguette downstairs — mix some eggs and flour and bake those goodies yourself. Try ourstrawberry pie recipe. It is simple and delicious. Want to bake cookies?Hereare some awesome recipes to choose from.

10: Teach yourself how to juggle

You’re never too old to learn a new party trick. There are lots of YouTube videos out there that teach you to be a juggling master. Start by mastering juggling a couple of balls and then keep adding more into the mix.

11: Host a virtual meet-up

With the never-ending social distancing, it can be challenging to stay sane.If you agree, host a video hangout with your friends or loved ones. Video-sharing software like Zoom or Skype can be used to play online games, and extensions like Netflix Party are great for a virtual movie night.

12: Get your karaoke on in your living room

If you miss having karaoke nights at your favorite bar, bring the music to your house. Your family will have a blast belting out their favorite songs, and you can FaceTime or Zoom some friends for a bigger party.

13: Assemble a KiwiCO box

This STEM-focused science box subscription allows you to put together things you can actually use in life, from an electric pencil sharpener to a ukulele and headset. There are five lines to choose from, designed to cater to different age groups, interests, and skill levels, or you can buy a popular box or set.

14: Make some co*cktails

Pull out a few simple recipes online, grab some ingredients from your local liquor store, and start your own co*cktail party. Old fashioned, cosmopolitan, and vodka martini, and you can also add a twist to make the drinks uniquely yours.

15: Complete a crossword

Challenge yourself with a mind game like a crossword. You can find one in a newspaper, like the famous New York Times Sunday Crossword, magazine, or even online. USA Today also hasDaily Crossword Puzzles.

16: Listen to a new podcast

You may have had a podcast for your morning commute or when you go grocery shopping. Download a bunch of episodes and binge them. We’re currently obsessed with “Why Won’t You Date Me”and “Every Little Thing.” If you’ve wondered who invented pants or have questions about the things we take for granted, “Every Little Thing” has the answer for you.

17: Make coffee Ice Cubes

If iced coffee is what wakes you every morning, use the leftover brew by freezing it to make ice cubes instead of water. You’ll be surprised how much flavor it adds to every sip. You can even get an ice cube tray like this to make ice cubes in fun shapes of diamonds, roses, and spheres.

18: Shoot your first YouTube video

Grab your phone to make your first video and upload it to YouTube. Start with something simple but unique and fun. Keep doing it, and when you have enough fans and viewing hours, you can start to monetize your channel and make some extra cash — it might become your full-time job!

19: Start Thinking About Your Halloween Costume

Whether you’re doing a couples costume or flying solo, it’s never too early to plan for Halloween. Start brainstorming ideas and collecting materials if you’re making your own costume, or browse Amazon for great options, from Harry Potter to Captain America and Spiderman, to add to your cart.

20: Finish a puzzle

These little pieces help kill the time without you even realizing it, and they give your brain a workout, too. Start with an easy 100-piece puzzle and work your way up to the trickier 1000-piece puzzle. Grab a glass of wine and a playlist you’re recently obsessed with, and start working on it.

21: Go Thrift Shopping or Antiquing

Check out the thrift stores in your area for unique goodies you won’t find anywhere else — think handmade rugs, tchotchkes, vintage clothes, and art pieces. You might discover gems that are under-appreciated by their owners, but be sure to examine each item carefully for damage before purchasing.

Read More: Best Thrift Stores in New York for Amazing Deals

22: Check out the events in your area

As the nation starts to reopen, concerts, cultural events, and many fun outdoor events and activities are popping up again. Browse the listing on Eventbrite or sites unique to your neighborhood for upcoming events and fun things to do.

23: Try your hand at painting

Find a paint-by-numbers print you like or grab a canvas and some colors to start creating. When you finish, you’ll have a masterpiece to brag about and something to decorate your wall with!

24: Plan a romantic day with your loved one

You don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day to be romantic. Use the time to plan for a fun excursion. Grab reservations for that trendy restaurant or lit up some candles and create a menu to host a nice dinner in. Living in NYC? We have a list of romantic things for you to do!

25: Try Butterfly Taxidermy

Have you ever seen that beautiful butterfly displayed in the art gallery and wondered can I make that myself? If you have, then this is the time to learn how to pin and frame a butterfly.

You may be lucky to find a deceased specimen around your home or on a walk through the park, but we, in no way, encourage or condone the killing of poor innocent butterflies or moths for your art.

26: Paint a portrait of your pet

Paint a portrait of your cat, your dog, rabbit, birds, or your plant? Grab some paint, a piece of paper, and start creating. A bonus activity: you’d also need to find a place to hang it when you’re done.

27: Learn a new style of dance.

Did you want to learn belly dancing but never really had the time and courage to sign up for classes? Use this chance to watch YouTube tutorials and learn a new style of dance, and you can even Zoom friends for a virtual dance party.

Plus, dancing like hip-hop, salsa, and Bollywood are great ways to stay in shape without the gym.

28: Try crocheting

Crocheting is a great skill that lets you make beautiful gifts and items for your home and wardrobe with wool or yarn and a crochet hook. Start by learning a couple of basic stitches, and build on that with more advanced basic stitches.

Then, choose the hook that feels most comfortable for you and beginner patterns to work with, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

29: Plant a garden

Throw some seeds in your backyard and harvest fresh veggies and fruits in the fall. You can save money and eat healthier. Perfect. If you don’t have a backyard, you can still try planting a small herb garden. We did so with three pots, and they are all on our window sill.

30: Pickle some veggies

You can do this in just 10 minutes. Slice some veggies like cucumbers and onion and throw them in a mason jar filled with vinegar and seasonings. Seal the jar, let it sit for a while, and then you got some delicious BBQ toppings.

31: Start a blog

If you enjoy journaling, why not jot down your travel stories, life hacks, or whatever you’re expert in and share it with others. If you’re committed to it, blogging can be a full-time job and make you cash or even a millionaire.

32: Change up your decors

You don’t need to spend a dime on this! We promise. Restyle your coffee table, move the pillows on your couch to your bedroom, and swap your dining chairs with your kitchen chairs. It is that simple and it will change your space in just no time.

33: Plan a trip

With the restriction of travel starting to lift thanks to vaccination, people can travel again. If you’re still concerned with the new variant, plan a short getaway to a nearby city, a farm, or a ranch where you can unplug your brain for a bit.

34: Play a old game from your childhood

Is there an old video game you enjoyed playing as a child or one that you could never finish because it is too challenging? For me, it is Prince of Persia released in 1989. Now, it is time to pick it up and see if you have made any progress over the years.

35: Perfect an old family recipe

Is there a recipe that has been passed down for generations? Take this time to perfect it to create something new to impress your families. If it is really great, you can even start a business based on it. You never know!

36: Teach your pet some new tricks

If you own a pet (well, how could you still be bored?), spend some time teaching it a few new tricks. Either it is to high five, turn around, or jump through a hoop, it surely will kill you some time.

37: Find a Place to Volunteer

The next time you start to feel bored, give back to the community with your time and energy. If you’d rather volunteer virtually, visitCatchafire.orgto find a project that you can help with from the comfort of home.

38: Raise a butterfly

Look for caterpillars in your local park. Bring them home, feed them, and watch as they transform into beautiful butterflies. We started this fun activity during the pandemic and bought a kit from a Florida butterfly farm that comes with caterpillars, a net cage, host plants, and everything for a fun, exciting journey.

👇🏼 We were lucky enough to capture the magic moment of the butterfly hatching!

39: Put Together a Care Package

If you know someone is going through a tough time, put together some of their favorite things and leave them on their doorstep. Either homemade baked goods, a magazine, or a doze of tea bags, your friend will be appreciated and feeling loved.

40: Color-code your bookshelf

Not just an Excel sheet, your bookshelf can be color-coded too! And the result will look like it’s straight out of a magazine. You can arrange them from lightest to darkest colors, warm colors to cool colors, or in the order of a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

41: Give yourself a mani/pedi

No more expensive trips to the salon! Try painting and polishing your nails now at home. Bust your favorite colors and designs and start with something simple. There are also tons of tutorials and Instagram if you want to bring your artistry to another level.

42: Feng shui your living room

Learn the philosophy of feng shui and rearrange your room to “unblock” the way, so the unseeable forces that drive our world may flow freely and create balance in space or life.

43: Detail your car

If you want to save some money while making your car look fabulous, detail it! Just Google some hacks and tips on how you can do it yourself and then buy whatever products you need off of Amazon.

44: Watch a Broadway show online

Take a break from Netflix or YouTube and watch a Broadway show instead. It’ll make you feel like you’re in the theater and out of your living room, especially if you change into some nice clothes and make it a special evening.

45: Have an indoor picnic

Clear out the living room, set down a blanket, and make your own picnic lunch without having to step outside.

46: Donate your clothes

Chances are your closet is filled with tons of things you no longer wear. Take some time to declutter it and take out those that you don’t like or no longer fit you. Pack them up and donate to shelters or places like Plato’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, or Salvation Army.

47: Set up an Instagram for your pet

If you own a pet, then there is no doubt that your phone is filled with tons of cute pictures of them. Show off your fur friend by setting up an Instagram account and connect with other animal lovers.

48: Try a New Workout

Always wanted to try martial arts but never got up the time and courage to go to a class? Try your hand at an online workout from the comfort of your own home. YouTube or TikTok has everything you'll need.

49: Make Bucket Lists

It is easy to lose sight of great things in life when you have a 9-6 job. List your goals, the things you look for in a partner, dishes you want to learn to make, places you’d like to visit, clothes you’d like to buy, and more so that you can takeactivesteps towards making them come to fruition. You can also convert the list into a vision board (or dream board)!

50: Look Up the Best Restaurants in Your Neighborhood

We know it is easy to eat at a place you know well all the time, but we bet there are some other great restaurants you haven’t tried in your area. Make a list of the ones you'd like to hit and start crossing them off.

51: Meal Plan For the Week

If you’ve got time, why not do something like planning meals for the rest of the week to make your life easier? Research old or new recipes you want to try for your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and leftovers. Plus, you’ll save a little by eating in.

52: Find a freelance gig!

One way to keep you busy when you are bored is by freelancing! From freelance writing to freelance drawing to freelance social media jobs, there are tons of them out there that you can apply for. Toptal is a great place to start to connect with people looking for talents like you.

53: Recreate your favorite restaurant meal

Sure, you can order take-out. But, what if the restaurant you’re craving is closed or doesn’t do delivery?! Find the recipe of their steak fries online and make it at home. You might surprise yourself at how big of a chef you are born to be.

54: DIY your own flower bouquet to display

If you have fresh flowers at home, pick a few you like and hang them upside down for a few days. They will dry out but remain the beautiful shapes and colors. Try different combinations, add branches or leaves and use them to spruce up your house. Your family will think you bought them.

55: Paint or stain a piece of furniture

You must have seen this on Instagram, where artists grab some paint and give their outlets a makeover. You can do the same too! Go ahead and paint, stain, or even stencil your side tables, coffee table, or outlets to give them a unique personal touch.

56: Decorate your walls with washi tape

Pick a washi tape wall pattern you like on Pinterest and map it out on one of your walls. Putting it on the wall behind your TV or bed will transform your space in just a few minutes. If you get tired of it, you can always change it up later on.

57: Pet sit

Apps like Rover can change your life for the better if you’re pet-less but love animals. You can set up a profile and start pet sitting while you’re hanging out at your house.

58: Browse listing for a dream house

Note what features you want for your future home, browse listings online to get a sense of how much it costs, and then make a financial plan to get yourself there.

59: Research Rescue Animals Online

Pet adoption rate soared during the pandemic as everyone is looking for company during self-quarantine. It is time to get yours too! Find a shelter in your neighborhood and see if it has any animals you might want to add to your family. Make sure you’re ready for the commitment before you adopt.

60: Write a poem

No one has to read it, so let your creativity and emotions do their magic.

61: Turn a T-shirt into a sleeveless shirt

Do you have a t-shirt you don't like? Maybe it doesn’t look good on you, or it is not the right size. Grab a seizer and give it a make-over by cutting off the sleeves, changing the neckline, or whatever style you want it to look. You might be surprised a how good a designer you were born to be.

62: Sew a face mask for A best friend

Grab your sewing kit and sew a pattern on the essentials we all need today. Not good at sewing stuff? Painting would work too, but we don’t recommend wearing it but instead keeping it as a symbol of love and creativity.

63: Design your future tattoo

Have you ever thought of having a tattoo on your arm, hand, or wherever you want to show it off? Instead of using a famous character or saying, design your own. Draw some stuff, play around, throw a few words on top and imagine where it could be inked permanently into your skin.

64: Turn your familyphotos into a scrapbook

Print out the photos of your family members and compile them into a memorable scrapbook that everyone featured will cherish for years to come.

65: Have a tea party

Imagine yourself as March Hare in Alice in wonderland and host a tea party for your little ones at home or a virtual one with your Disney-obsessed friends. Put out tea in colorful cups, cute cookies, and little sandwiches to munch.

66: Make homemade ice cream

In case your favorite ice cream shop isn’t open right now, or you don’t feel like venturing out, bring your favorite ice, cold treat to your house instead. Find a recipe online and make it in the morning so you can enjoy it in the afternoon.

67: Create slime with your kids

Do you know that you can create slime in the comfort of your home with just shampoo, cornstarch, water, and food coloring?! I didn’t, until now.

68: Take a virtual visit to the zoo

A lot of zoos offer virtual visits during the pandemic. Check the website of a zoo you’re interested in and see the animals up close from the comfort of your home. Best of all, you aren’t limited to only those in your city or state. You can choose any in the world.

69: Visit the world with Google Earth

It isn’t recommended to travel further than your backyard right now due to the pandemic. If adventure is calling your name, load up Google Earth, type in your dream destination, and give yourself a virtual tour.

70: Create with air-dry clay

Unlike the traditional clay that requires baking in the oven, air-try clay is super easy to play with and once you finish, leave it overnight to dry. You can buy clay online or a kit like this one that comes with a book of cute ideas.

71: Take a virtual museum tour

You’ll be surprised to know that tons of museums are now offering virtual tours you can attend! So even if you don’t live near a museum that’s in NYC or Paris, you can still “visit” from your home.

72: Send a handwritten note

Everyone loves the traditional, handwritten card. Pick up some colored pencils, stickers, and a card to start creating and send it to someone you’re missing.

73: Learn drawing on YouTube

If you are a Disney fan, check out Steven Thompson’s (Disney’s principal designer) “How To Draw” videos from the official DisneyYouTubechannel and draw your favorite Disney princess. You can choose from Belle, Ariel, Pocahontas, or Jasmine.

Look what I did on a Friday evening while waiting for my pal for dinner. Looks pretty neat, right?

74: Make a time capsule

Your kids will love this activity! You can gather up items from around your house to put inside a treasure chest and then bury it somewhere in your backyard. Choose a duration for your time capsule and let your “little ones” dig them out someday in the future or pass the location down to their children and let them discover it.

75: Organize your house

Unless you’re a cleaning freak or someone with serious OCD, there must be an area of your house that might need some de-cluttering.

76: Update your resume

Even if you’re not in the market for a new job, make sure it’s up to date. Add in some recent accomplishments and update your website with new information. You never know what great opportunities will swim your way.

77: Get the Christmas shopping done

If you’ve had some stressful last-minute holiday shopping flashbacks, it might be smart to do it early this year. We have compiled Christmas gift ideas for women, men, kids, parents, and even your co-workers.

78: Organize the apps on your phone

Delete any you haven’t used in the past four months and categorize the rest in folders. It will be easier to help you find apps quickly and free some storage on your phone for more pictures.

79: Work on your financial planning

Millionaires are millionaires, not only because they know how to make money but also how to save and spend smartly. Take some time to go over your annual budget and see what needs to be adjusted.

80: Clean out your fridge

Chances are your fridge is as chaotic as your closet. Spend some time going through the stuff inside and throw out any expired food or those you no longer like. Cakes from your nephew’s birthday party? Old pickles? Stale bread? All out.

You will feel so good to see a fridge full of fresh produce and goodies you’re planning to eat.

81: Wash Your Windows

When was the last time you washed your windows? Can’t remember? Grab the Windex and paper towels, and wash them now. You’ll be surprised at how dirty they get over the years.

82: Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

It’s not the most fun activity, but let’s face it, you have to do it at some point. So, why not now when you have all the time in the world?! Toss old makeup, expired prescriptions, and give it all a good wipe down before you restock.

83: Do your laundry

Let’s be honest. It’s not the most fun thing to do, but it’s probably the best use of time when you’re bored. You’ll thank us later when you have clean clothes, sheets, and towels to choose from this week.

84: Declutter your email inbox

You’ve decluttered your closet, your fridge, and it’s time to do so for your email inbox. Unsubscribe from all of your spam emails in just a few clicks by visiting Unroll.me and finally achieve inbox zero.

85: Recycle old candles

Do you have any old candles left from your last year’s Christmas party? Don’t toss it. Scoop out the leftover wax, remove the wick, give it a quick wash, and use it to corral pens, makeup, or any other trinkets you may have.

86: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Get rid of the dirt, oils, and bacteria built over time on your makeup brushes that can be harmful to the skin! Dunk them in a large cup filled with warm soapy water; let soak for an hour or two; then rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Let them air-dry on a clean towel.

87: Go Through the Photos On Your Phone

Delete anything you don’t need or export and save them in an external hard drive. Sort, using the favorite button, and make a note of the images you want to print and frame.

88: Clean One Thing

I know - it’s overwhelming to tackle the whole house, so how about just one part of it?! Clean inside and out of your oven, dust your ceiling fans or give your shower head a quick rinse. Do this whenever you’re bored, and you will end up with a home that is squeaky clean.

89: Clean out your laptop’s drive

There is no doubt that your laptop has tons of files you downloaded a while ago but now have absolutely no use. Delete them or move them somewhere else, like to an external drive, and free some space for more screenshots, excel files, pdfs, etc.

90: Organize all the papers

Chances are you have a tall stack of paper somewhere in your house: bills, letters from friends, tax returns, ads, oh my. Spend some time going through the pile, categorize them, and throw out anything you don’t need. You might find a few bills that you forgot to pay two months ago! It’s good we caught them up.

91: Clean your floor

Chocolate crumbles, dog hair, and dust, oh my, wouldn’t it be nice to have clean floors? Take out your vacuum cleaner, soak rugs with warm water, and add a few drops of detergent, and give your nasty floor deep cleaning.

92: Take an online cooking class

If you have never had time to take a cooking class before, now you do! Sign up for a MasterClass cooking class, and you’ll be a chef before you know it! And if any of your loved ones or friends enjoy cooking too, this also makes a great holiday gift this Christmas.

93: Learn calligraphy

It’ll be a great skill to have that you otherwise may have never had been able to pick up.

94: Practice your latte skills

If you’re a coffee lover and want to add an artistic touch to your morning brew, try latte art. Whip up some milk and emulate the beautiful patterns you see at your favorite barista.

95: Read a book

Dust off your favorite book and read it from cover to cover. If it made it to the silver screen, watch the movie adaptation and make notes to compare!

96: Learn a new language

With tons of free and paid apps at your disposal, learning a language is easier than ever. Download Duolingo and start saying “thank you” in German or “nice to meet you” in Chinese or Italian.

97: Learn knitting or embroidery

Both are great ways to add a personal touch to your wardrobe and home decor or fix a hole in your favorite dress or shirt. Check out some YouTube tutorials on what the perfect stitch is for a circle scarf.

98: Try some Pinterest hacks

Go through the Pinterest boards you’ve saved over the years or explore new ones and see what hacks you can do around the house. Make note of the ones that work.

99: Have a self-care day

Nothing is better than soaking in the therapeutic water and leave all the problems behind for a few hours. Check out the great spas in your area, and either you opt for a hot stone, pool soaking, body scrubs, or facials or pedicures, you will for sure leave the place refreshed and rejuvenated.

100: Explore a local park

While it can be stressful to go outside during the pandemic, CDC encourages you to do so and just walking around can greatly reduce your stress level thanks to adrenaline and cortisol it releases. It is better to do this in a local park where people are naturally socially distanced.

101: Meditate

Calm your mind by taking 10 minutes or more to meditate and quiet your thoughts. Browse through YouTube for some guided meditations or download apps likeMedisafefor some quick sessions.

102: Sleep

Even if you’re not feeling sick, taking a quick nap can give your immune system a boost so you can better fight the pandemic.

103: Stretch

Working at home is great, but you might be a little tense after working from a desk all day without moving around as you’d in the office. Try a few easy stretches like runner’s stretch and simple supine twists to give your muscles some relief. You’ll thank us later when you’re free of back or neck pains.

104: Take a bubble bath

Anxiety can come out of nowhere during a pandemic, so a bubble bath would be a great way to unwind and put your mental health back to track. Add a little aromatherapy with calming scents like lavender or jasmine to increase your zen.

105: Practice yoga

Roll out your yoga mat and do some stretches and take a few deep breaths and several rounds of sun salutations are a great way to distract your mind from boredom.

If this is your first time and you don’t have a yoga mat, no worries. Use a beach towel as an alternative, and there are tons of tutorials on YouTube to get you started.

106: Watch a classic movie

With over 700 films released each year in the U.S. and Canada alone, according to Statista, it can be hard to decide which one to watch. Check out this movie bucket list for classics that anyone needs to watch at least once in their lifetime.

107: Make mixed playlists

Withmusic-sharing apps like Spotify or Pandora, you can now create your own personalized playlists for road-tripping, birthday parties, house-warming parties, holiday celebrations, and share them with friends.

108: Make a smoothie

If you’ve been eating junk food in the past few weeks (it is easy to slip into bad habits right now, especially as no one will see how much weight you’ve gained,) make a veggie or fruit smoothie to get your healthy lifestyle back on track.

Alright! These are all the things you can do when feeling bored. Pick a few you like, write each down a piece of paper, and put them in a mason jar. The next time you’re bored, pull something out and do it.