Are you bored at home and looking for things to do? We have so many ideas that you’ll never be bored again! From creative arts to outdoor activities, there’s a vast array of hobbies and projects waiting for you to dive into. Whether you’re interested in learning a new skill, exploring your artistic side, or simply finding a fun way to pass the time, our comprehensive list has something for everyone. Get ready to transform your downtime into productive and enjoyable moments with these exciting activities.
Best 39 Things to Do When bored at home
1. Search for Best Eating Out Experiences
Explore unique dining options in your city or when travelling. Seek out farm-to-table restaurants that emphasise local, organic ingredients. Consider booking a reservation at places with tasting menus to experience several dishes in one sitting or restaurants that specialise in fusion cuisine. Also, look for places with special features, like a chef’s table, outdoor seating or a wine-pairing experience to elevate your dining experience. Food and Wine with Love can help you to find the best eataly.
2. Plan Your Next Holiday
Create an itinerary that balances relaxation and adventure. Start by identifying your top destination based on your interests: beach, mountains, culture, or adventure. Research local accommodations (hotels, Airbnb, or resorts) and nearby attractions. For relaxation, look into wellness resorts or quiet retreats, and for adventure, search for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, or snorkelling. Be sure to check for seasonal events or festivals happening while you’re there.
3. Discover Local Events During Your Holiday
Checking for festivals, concerts, and special events at your holiday destination. You can use travel apps or local event websites to find things like food festivals, art exhibits, music concerts, and cultural festivals happening in the area. For a more immersive experience, attend a local cooking class, wine-tasting tour, or street fair to engage with the local culture. This is also a great way to find hidden gems like pop-up shops or local artisans.
4. Try a New Cooking Technique
When you are bored at home and looking for things to do, it’s time to challenge yourself with a new cooking method or technique. Pick a cooking style you haven’t explored before, such as smoking meats, making sushi, or baking artisan bread. There are plenty of online cooking schools and YouTube channels dedicated to specific techniques. For example, you can try sous vide cooking for perfectly cooked meats or learn how to ferment your own kimchi or pickles at home. Starting with a simple recipe can help you build confidence and refine your technique.
5. Start a New Hobby
Explore creative hobbies that can help you unwind. Whether you’re interested in painting, learning an instrument, photography, or woodworking, there are countless hobbies to explore. Try a beginner’s class on Skillshare or sign up for online tutorials. You can also attend local workshops for hands-on learning. Dedicate time each week to practising your new hobby to help you grow and improve.
6. Experiment with Home Gardening
Create a thriving garden right at home. You can start with indoor plants such as herbs, succulents, or flowers that need little space and care. If you have more room, set up a vegetable garden, focusing on easy-to-grow produce like tomatoes, lettuce, or carrots. Research how to start your garden based on your climate, and consider companion planting to maximise space and yield. You can also explore sustainable gardening methods like using compost and natural pest control.
7. Take a Virtual Museum Tour
Experience world-famous museums and exhibits from home. Many museums around the world offer virtual tours or 360-degree walkthroughs. You can “visit” places like the Louvre, British Museum, or the Vatican Museums and even interact with the artwork via detailed descriptions. Some museums also host live virtual events or guided tours, which allow you to ask questions in real-time and get deeper insights into the exhibits.
8. Organise and Declutter Your Home
Transform your space into a more functional and calming environment. Pick one room to start with and sort through all your items. Begin by categorising them—keep, donate, or toss. Look into organisational systems like using storage bins, shelving, or closet organisers to maximise space. You can also check out methods like Marie Kondo’s KonMari technique or other minimalist practices to create a cleaner, more organised living space. If you feel ambitious, do this room by room until your entire home feels refreshed.
9. Learn a New Language
You don’t get bored or need to look for things to do if you pick a language and start learning basics and pronunciation. Whether you want to learn Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, French or Italian, there are many apps and online courses available. Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone offer structured learning paths for beginners. To practice, try engaging with native speakers online or watching movies in the target language. Join language exchange groups or social media communities to stay motivated yourself in the language.
10. Host a Movie Marathon at Home
Create a movie marathon around a theme you enjoy. This could be based on a film series (Harry Potter, Marvel movies) or a genre (horror, sci-fi, classic films). Prepare snacks that fit the theme—popcorn with different seasonings, themed cupcakes, or international snacks if you’re watching foreign films. Make it more engaging by inviting friends over for a viewing party or connecting virtually for a shared experience. You could also set up a cozy space with blankets and pillows to make it feel like a cinema at home.
11. Join a Book Club
Find a book club or create your own group. You can join a local or online book club to share insights and discuss your favourite reads. Many book clubs also have a social aspect, where you meet virtually or in person to chat over coffee or wine. If you prefer more autonomy, start your own book club with friends or colleagues, and pick books that cater to your group’s interests. Share your thoughts on social media or book forums for additional insights and recommendations.
12. Write a Short Story or Poem
Challenge your creativity by writing a short story or poem. Choose a theme or use a prompt to get started, such as “a day in the life of a cat” or “a letter to your future self.” Write freely, without worrying about structure, then refine your piece. Consider sharing it with a writing group for feedback or submit it to literary journals or blogs for publishing. Writing consistently will improve your skills and help you develop your unique voice.
13. Discover New Music
Another best thing to do at home is to expand your music range by exploring new genres. Start by listening to genres that are outside of your usual playlist, like jazz, classical, or indie rock. Use music platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, which offer curated playlists based on your listening habits. Explore niche music genres like lo-fi, ambient, or folk music to broaden your horizons. Share your findings with friends, or even create your own playlists to share on social media.
14. Start a DIY Craft Project
Tap into your creative side by making DIY projects at home. Start with simple crafts like creating handmade greeting cards, photo frames, or candles. If you’re up for more advanced projects, try creating home décor like macramé wall hangings, knitted blankets, or painted flower pots. Explore online craft tutorials or Pinterest for inspiration. DIY projects are not only fun but also a great way to personalise your space.
15. Create a Blog or YouTube Channel
Start sharing your passion or expertise with a wider audience. Pick a niche or topic you love—whether it’s travel, food, fashion, or DIY projects. Set up a blog using platforms like WordPress or Medium, or start a YouTube channel for video content. Research what kind of content is trending in your niche, and experiment with different formats (articles, tutorials, vlogs) to engage your audience. Consistent posting and interaction with your community will help you grow your platform.
16. Take an Online Course
Level up your skills with online courses. Choose a topic you’re passionate about, whether it’s photography, business, coding, or art. Sites like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses from beginner to advanced levels. You can take classes at your own pace and even earn certifications. Learning a new skill can open up personal or professional opportunities and help you stay engaged with new topics.
17. Improve Your Photography Skills
Get outside and practice photography in different settings. Start by experimenting with composition, lighting, and angles. Capture landscapes, street scenes, or portraits using your phone or camera. Use photo-editing apps to refine and enhance your pictures. Take online photography challenges to push yourself creatively, and consider joining local photography groups or social media communities for feedback and inspiration.
18. Tackle a Jigsaw Puzzle
Find a challenging jigsaw puzzle and spend quality time piecing it together. Choose a puzzle that’s either visually appealing or has a challenging design. You can find puzzles with 1000+ pieces or themed puzzles such as famous artworks or panoramic landscapes. Set up a dedicated puzzle space where you can leave it out and work on it a little each day, or invite family and friends to join in for a group effort.
19. Try Fun Online Quizzes
Engage your brain with interactive quizzes on topics you enjoy. Try quizzes related to your favourite TV shows, movies, history, or personality tests. Platforms like Buzzfeed or Sporcle offer thousands of fun quizzes. For a deeper dive, search for trivia games or escape room-style quizzes to test your knowledge and challenge yourself.
20. Organise a Virtual Game Night
Host a fun and engaging virtual game night with family or friends. Use online platforms like Zoom or Skype to connect and play games like Pictionary, charades, or trivia. You can also explore online board games or multiplayer video games. Make it a regular event with different themes each time, such as 80s trivia, mystery solving, or even movie-themed quizzes.
21. Start Journaling or Bullet Journaling
Reflect on your daily experiences through journaling or organising your life with a bullet journal whenever you are bored at home. Journaling is a great way to track your thoughts, goals, and emotions, while bullet journaling helps you stay organised. You can use bullet points, symbols, and colours to track tasks, habits, and future goals. Try combining both for a creative and productive outlet.
22. Join an Online Fitness Challenge
Boost your fitness by participating in a virtual challenge. Many platforms offer fitness challenges like daily step goals, yoga challenges, or 30-day fitness programs. Choose one that aligns with your fitness level and track your progress. Share your results on social media or in fitness communities for accountability and motivation.
23. Explore Virtual Cooking Classes
Sign up for a virtual cooking class to learn new dishes. Many chefs and culinary schools offer live or on-demand cooking classes. Look for classes focused on different cuisines, such as Italian, Asian, or Mediterranean cooking. You can cook along with the instructor, ask questions, and even interact with other students.
24. Plan a Family Game or Activity Day
Create a fun, all-day event with games, outdoor activities, and bonding time. Organise a series of games such as scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, or trivia challenges. You can also plan a picnic or go to a nearby park to enjoy nature and outdoor fun. Make it a tradition by having themed days or seasonal activities.
25. Volunteer for a Cause
Give back to the community by volunteering your time or skills. Research local charities or nonprofits and offer your help. You could work with organisations that focus on food banks, environmental protection, or education. Volunteering allows you to meet new people while making a positive impact. You wouldn’t have time to be bored at home at all.
26. Start Drawing or Sketching
Why don’t you explore the world of art by picking up a sketchbook and pencil? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, drawing could be an incredibly therapeutic and rewarding hobby. You can start by practising basic shapes and shading techniques or challenge yourself by drawing a small object at home, landscapes, portraits, or even abstract designs. If you’re already more experienced, try experimenting with different mediums like charcoal, pastels, or coloured pencils to create detailed, vibrant artwork. If you are into it, consider enrolling in online art classes to refine your skills or joining a local art group for feedback and inspiration.
27. Learn to Paint
Dive into the world of colour by learning how to paint. Select from a variety of painting techniques, like watercolour, acrylic, or oil painting. Watercolours are great for creating soft, fluid landscapes, while acrylic paints are versatile and ideal for bold, bright designs. You can start with easy tutorials or create your own masterpieces with inspiration from your surroundings. Painting is a beautiful way to express emotions and capture the beauty you see in everyday life. You can join an art class to get expert tips or participate in online challenges like #Inktober to stay motivated.
28. Try Pottery or Clay Sculpting
Get hands-on with pottery or clay sculpting and create unique pieces of art. Pottery allows you to craft functional items like bowls, mugs, or vases while learning to master the pottery wheel or hand-building techniques. If you prefer sculpting, explore clay modelling to create small figurines or abstract art pieces. Pottery studios often offer classes for beginners, or you can purchase air-dry clay for DIY projects at home. This tactile hobby provides a perfect blend of creativity and relaxation, and the results are always personal and rewarding.
29. Knitting or Crocheting
Create cozy handmade items with knitting or crocheting. Start by learning the basics of knitting or crocheting through simple patterns such as scarves, hats, or blankets. As you become more comfortable, you can challenge yourself with more intricate designs, like sweaters, socks, or even home décor items. Both hobbies allow you to create gifts for loved ones or contribute to charitable causes, such as knitting hats for newborns or making blankets for animal shelters. There are plenty of free tutorials and online communities to help guide you along the way when you are looking for things to do.
30. Try Calligraphy
Express your creativity through elegant, hand-lettered designs. Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting, often used for invitations, greeting cards, and decorative pieces. Start by practising basic strokes and lettering styles such as italic, cursive, or modern calligraphy. You can experiment with different tools, like fountain pens, brushes, or markers. Calligraphy is a relaxing way to slow down and focus on precision while producing stunning works of art. You can join online workshops or watch YouTube tutorials to perfect your craft.
31. Make Handmade Jewelry
Explore the world of jewellery-making by creating your own designs. Jewellery-making can be as simple as stringing beads together or as advanced as metalworking and soldering. Start with beginner kits that allow you to create necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, then move on to more intricate designs using gemstones, wire, and charms. This hobby allows you to express your personal style and create unique gifts for friends and family. You could even sell your creations online or at local craft fairs to turn your hobby into a small business.
31. Photography as a Hobby
Capture beautiful moments and scenes through the lens of a camera. Whether you’re using a professional DSLR or just your smartphone, photography is a wonderful way to develop an eye for detail and composition. You can specialise in portrait photography, landscapes, wildlife, or street photography—each offering different perspectives and challenges. Explore different photography techniques such as long exposure, macro photography, or black-and-white images. Share your work on social media or photography websites, and engage with other photographers for feedback and inspiration.
32. Woodworking
Creating functional and artistic pieces from wood is another good idea for things to do when bored at home. Woodworking allows you to make furniture, decorative items, or simple tools using a variety of woodworking techniques. Whether you’re interested in building a bookshelf, creating a wooden jewellery box, or making hand-carved figurines, woodworking offers a tangible way to create lasting, personalised items. You should start with simple projects and gradually work your way up to more advanced builds. There are so many online resources and videos that offer step-by-step instructions, or you can join a local woodworking class to get hands-on experience.
33. Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
Pick up an instrument you would love and start learning how to play music. Whether it’s the guitar, piano, violin, or ukulele, learning a musical instrument is both challenging and rewarding. Start by choosing an instrument that suits your personality and style. Many online tutorials and apps can guide you through basic scales and simple songs, while more advanced lessons can help you improve your technique. Playing an instrument boosts cognitive function, reduces stress, and gives you a way to connect with others through music.
34. Candle Making
Create your own candles with unique scents and designs. Candle-making is a fun and creative hobby that allows you to experiment with variety of colours, scents, and shapes. You can start with simple soy wax candles and experiment with adding essential oils for fragrance, natural dyes for colour, and moulds for different shapes. Candles make wonderful gifts, or you can decorate your home with your handmade creations. There are plenty of online tutorials and starter kits that guide you through the process of creating custom candles.
35. DIY Home Décor Projects
Transform your living space with handmade home décor. You can start with easier projects like wall art, photo frames, or plant holders and progress to larger items like shelving units or furniture refurbishing. If you’re into upcycling, look for old furniture that can be transformed with new paint or fabric. DIY décor projects allow you to personalise your space and add character to your home. Pinterest and YouTube offer countless inspiration and tutorials for all skill levels.
36. Embroidery or Cross-Stitching
Create beautiful, textured artwork with thread. Embroidery involves stitching designs onto fabric to create detailed patterns or pictures, while cross-stitching uses a grid pattern to form images with X-shaped stitches. Start with beginner kits or patterns and work your way up to creating more intricate designs. Embroidery and cross-stitching are relaxing hobbies that also allow you to create custom pieces for your home, such as embroidered pillows or cross-stitched wall art.
37. Origami
Master the Japanese art of paper folding. Origami is a creative way to turn just a sheet of paper into intricate shapes like animals, flowers, or even geometric patterns. All you need is some paper and a very good patience! Start with easy designs and gradually work your way to more complex pieces. This hobby not only sharpens your focus but also helps improve your fine motor skills. You can create beautiful decorations, gifts, or cards to give to loved ones. This idea gives your bored time to meditation, too.
38. Sewing or Quilting
Bring your fabric creations to life with sewing or quilting. Learn to sew by creating simple garments or accessories like tote bags, skirts, or pillowcases. Quilting, a specialised form of sewing, involves stitching multiple layers of fabric together to create beautiful patterns. Start with basic hand-sewing techniques and gradually move on to machine sewing. Both hobbies are great for creating personalised clothing or home décor. You can also explore upcycling old clothes and fabrics into new designs.
39. Fly a Drone
Explore the world from a bird’s-eye view with drone flying. Drones provide an exciting way to capture aerial photography and video. Learn the basics of controlling a drone and explore different flying locations to take great photos or videos of landscapes, cityscapes, or events. Many drones come with cameras that can record in 4K resolution, allowing you to create professional-quality footage. Flying drones is also a great way to combine your passion for technology with photography or videography.
Staying Active and Creative is Key to a Fulfilling and Enjoyable Life
Have you found any activities that grabbed your heart? These are the best things to do when you are bored at home, and they would give you a fulfilling time. We hope this extensive list has inspired you to explore new hobbies and make the most of your time at home. Whether you’ve discovered a passion for cooking, crafting, or learning a new skill, there’s always something exciting to keep you engaged. Remember, staying active and creative is key to a fulfilling and enjoyable life. So, pick an activity, dive in, and let your boredom transform into fun and productivity!
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