A black pug dog lies on a small wooden bench with its head resting on the edge, looking directly at the camera. The pug’s expression suggests it might be feeling bored, There's a softly blurred background.

15 Fun Things to Do When You’re Bored

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Do you ever have days or seasons when you’re feeling bored? We’ve all been there. Whether you’re stuck at home on a rainy day or just looking for a way to spice up your routine, I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite fun things to do when you’re bored. From creative DIY projects to exploring hidden gems outside, there’s something here for everyone. So, let’s dive in and turn that boredom into an adventure!

Boredom is a Modern Problem

Have you ever thought about the fact that boredom is a modern luxury and in many cases, a first-world problem? Before the Industrial Revolution when we didn’t have machines to do much of our work, most people were busy working to put food on the table, farming, preparing all their food from scratch, cleaning, building, and spending many more hours on basic tasks that machines do now. Even in less developed countries today, people can spend hours finding food, water, and fuel for their homes.

Adults and kids in developed regions are so used to being busy so much of the time these days that when schedules and routines change or slow down, boredom can strike. So let me help you find fun things to do when you or those around you are bored.

Listen to Music

A smiling child in a bright room stands in front of a beige couch, holding large black headphones over their ears. The girl is listening to music, which is one of the fun things to do when you’re bored.

Listening to music is a wonderful way of helping you relax and forget your troubles. There are many other benefits as well. A review of 23 different studies, covering almost 1,500 patients found that listening to music reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety in heart disease patients. In other studies, music caused study participants to feel happier and resulted in increased blood flow in their blood vessels.

Today there are so many ways to access recorded music. Do you already have a collection at home of CDs or vintage vinyl albums? You can check your local library for music too. Maybe you like to watch music videos on YouTube? Or do you enjoy music on a streaming service that you can listen to anywhere, like Spotify, Amazon Music, or free music on Pandora?

Music Streaming Services to Try

If you’re new to music streaming, here’s an article from PC Magazine rating the top music streaming services.

Do you have favorite songs or artists that you want to introduce to your kids? Have a music day and take turns letting each person in the family share a favorite song while everyone listens.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

Plato

Look for Live Music in Your Area

You may have the benefit of finding live music near where you live. Check your town’s website or venues to see about free or paid concerts, open mic nights, restaurants, bars, parks, wineries, and all kinds of places that host musicians to help bring in customers. A quick search of “live music near me” may bring up some results. Facebook Events may also have listings of nearby concerts.

Visit Your Local Library

A cozy library setting with a dark wood bookshelf filled with various books. In the center, a plush green sofa invites reading and relaxation. The foreground shows a table with a focused view of an orange book, suggesting a quiet and studious atmosphere in the library. A wooden ladder leans against the bookshelf, adding a classic touch and providing access to the higher shelves.

Do you have a library card from your local library? If not, you should get one! Libraries are some of the best inventions and privileges that we have in developed countries.

That card can be the key to thousands of resources available to you in person and online. Many libraries these days provide access to a wide range of e-books, audiobooks, videos, and magazines that you can check out through their website. One of the easiest and cheapest [free] things to do when you’re bored for instant entertainment.

My local library also offers access to language learning courses, GED, ACT, and SAT prep, award-winning lectures, personal development videos, concerts, and music videos. They even have a video platform called “Creative Bug” where you can learn crafts like sewing, weaving, painting, and cake decorating. Wouldn’t those be fun to learn with or without your kids?

If you see resources on their website that you’d like to take advantage of but don’t have a library card yet, give your local branch a call. The easiest way to sign up is to go to your branch. If you can’t leave the house, call and ask if there’s a way to sign up online or by mail.

Watch a Video

This is probably top of mind for most of us. With services like cable TV, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, and so many other video streaming services it’s hard to run out of things to watch. Did you know that Prime is more than just video? There are a myriad of ways you can enjoy Amazon Prime with things to do when you’re bored.

Even if you don’t have a streaming service, do you have old classic DVDs that you plan to watch or rewatch? Or consider checking out videos from the library to stream that you may not have seen before. I highly recommend all of Ken Burns’ brilliant documentaries.

Whether it’s a topic that I’m normally interested in or not, Ken Burns and his team always find ways to convey human backstories in every world event or culture. Another one of the interesting things to do when you’re bored is to check out YouTube. It has millions of videos about everything under the sun: music, DIY, cooking, crafts, reviews, personal improvement, and just life in general. You will be surprised how fast time flies and how many rabbit holes you can go down when you’re watching videos.

Take a virtual train ride in the United Kingdom. Check out the National Rail YouTube Channel for videos of gorgeous train rides across the UK. A great way to travel even when you’re stuck at home.

Create Something Amazing

A person sits at a wooden table next to a window, working on a sketch in a notebook. On the table, there is another open notebook with a watercolor painting of flowers, a blue mug, and an assortment of drawing tools including pencils, brushes, and markers. A French press coffee maker and a bag labeled “COFFEE” are also present at the artistic workspace setup.

Do you love to work with your hands? The Instructables website provides all the videos and instructions you need to learn how to make nearly anything, one step at a time. You’ll find free projects, classes, and contests in all these categories: Circuits, Workshop, Crafts, Cooking, Living, and Outside. There are even special resources for teachers.

Online course sites like Udemy, Skillshare, and the Bon Appetit Video Channel offer free classes in a variety of topics, including cooking videos in every cuisine you can imagine. Or visit Drawspace to learn how to sharpen your mind and improve your observation skills while you discover the techniques used to sketch and draw.

Be Creative in the Kitchen

I remember one summer when our daughter was in about 4th grade. I’ve never been much of a baker, mainly because I tend to convince myself that sweet treats really aren’t good for me, so I don’t want to get in the habit of making or eating them. This particular summer, Amy asked me to teach her how to make cookies, which I was happy to do. I always loved to see our kids eager to learn new things. After I taught her to make chocolate chip cookies, and maybe others, she started asking for the ingredients to make them nearly every week.

My husband was thrilled! I enjoyed them too, of course and she had so much fun in the kitchen banishing boredom. Whether you have kids or not, being creative in the kitchen is a fun and easy thing to do when you’re bored at home. These days you can even use AI or special apps to come up with a recipe when you enter the ingredients you have available at home.

Watch a TED Talk

Never heard of TED? This nonprofit began as a conference in 1984 where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged. Today their mission has expanded to “foster the spread of ideas” and conferences cover almost all topics — from science to business to global issues in more than 100 languages. Every one of over 3000 TED “talks” (presentations) are recorded on video and available online for the world to watch and stir curiosity.

One of my favorite Ted Talk speakers is Brene Brown. She teaches about the power of vulnerability, but there are talks of every shape and size you can imagine.

Play a Game

A family of two adults and two boys is seated around a coffee table engaged in playing a board game in a cozy living room. This activity is one of many fun things to do when you’re bored.

One of the most fun things to do when you’re bored is to pull out a good old-fashioned board game or a deck of cards and play a game together. Here are just a few of my favorite games and many of them will work for all ages.

Board Games, not Bored Games

  • Catan [formerly Settlers of Catan] Strategically gather and trade resources like ore, brick, lumber, grain, and wool to expand your settlements. Many variations and versions.
  • Scrabble – Spelling, vocabulary, crossword game – 2 – 4 players, Age 8 and older
  • Monopoly – A real estate board game with fake money. 2 to 8 players, age 8 and up, dozens of themes available in your favorite genre – Spongebob, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Pixar, etc.
  • Clue – Solve the murder mystery board game. 2-6 players, age 8 and up.

Cards, Dice, and Other Games

  • Apples to Apples – Classic, Party, Junior, Disney, & Travel versions. Easy & loads of laughs
  • Nertz – fast card game [2 to 6 players] – all you need is a deck of cards for every 1-2 people
  • Yahtzee – Fast-paced dice game. Great for ages 8 and older, 2 or more players
  • Jenga – Wood blocks stacking tower game. Age 6 and up, 1 or more players. Tabletop and Giant versions, up to 5 feet tall.
  • Pictionary – Quick drawing game for all ages – use paper or dry-erase boards
  • Uno – Fun numbers card game for 2 to 10 players, ages 7 and older

Travel Virtually on Google Earth

If you can’t get there in person, check out Google Earth for hours of virtual travel.

Take a virtual hike around America’s gorgeous National Parks. Zoom in and out on hundreds of images, and click on the arrows in the image to move around. See how an enslaved man shipped himself from slavery in Virginia to freedom in Pennsylvania.

Enjoy a Tech-Free Day

A bright and cozy living room scene with a smiling woman wearing glasses, sitting on a white sofa, playfully interacting with a young child who is lying across her lap. The room has a soft color palette with light walls, and there’s decorative text on the wall behind them. A wooden shelf with minimal decor items is visible in the background.

Is the news of the economy, climate crisis, catastrophic events, politics, or everyday worries of life stressing you out? Maybe it’s time to take a break from the noise and bad news and have a tech-free day.

I know it’s really tempting to want to stay plugged into media since the world is constantly evolving and everything is available almost instantly. But if you and your family are worn out by the noise, it’s perfectly fine to turn off your devices and enjoy each others’ company.

Health experts also recommend that you avoid constantly watching, reading, or listening to news that could cause you to feel anxious or distressed. Much of our anxiety is rooted in worrying about the unknown or things that are out of our control.

If you’re by yourself, practice much-needed self-care by exercising, deep breathing, or meditation. If you pray, spend some time in prayer and take your concerns to God. Step out onto your balcony or into your yard and enjoy the sunshine. Take a deep breath and appreciate the view. Make a list or have a conversation with the kids about what you’re thankful for.

Mental Health experts say that stepping away from the bombardment of news and media for a time is good for your mental health. The suggestions below don’t involve technological devices and I’m sure you can think of many more fun things to do when you’re bored that can fill your day and encourage a positive outlook.

Play a Musical Instrument

We already talked about the fact that playing music reduces stress and has been shown to reverse the body’s response to stress at the DNA level. But did you know that a University of Miami study showed that playing music increases human growth hormone (HgH) production among active older Americans? HgH helps to maintain, build, and repair healthy tissue in the brain and other organs, which is vital to staying healthy.

A young woman with long brown hair is playing an acoustic guitar outdoors with green foliage in the background. The person’s face shows a casual and relaxed mood. This scene highlights playing music as one of the interesting things to do when you’re bored.

Do you or someone in the house have a musical instrument? Perhaps it’s been years since you played or you’ve really wanted to learn and somehow kept putting it off. Maybe it was a passion and you just haven’t had time to play lately. In any case, pick it up now and see what you can do. A quick search for “free lessons” for your instrument on YouTube or Google will produce a variety of options. For example, you’ll find free guitar lessons from Guitar Compass here. Or you could find free tips and lessons from your favorite artist. These are free guitar tips and lessons from James Taylor.

What fun memories you can make while you’re banishing boredom by teaching your favorite songs to your kids? They might even like to start learning to play music themselves. Now could be a perfect time to get started when they have plenty of free time to practice. What a magical and creative thing to do when you’re bored.

Read, Purge & Repurpose Your Magazines

Do you have a basket full of magazines collecting dust in your living room? Now would be a great time to go through them and catch up on the articles you want to read, then find something creative to do with them before you toss them in your recycle bin. Check out these 30 Crafty Ways to Repurpose Old Magazines from DIY & Crafts.

Catch up on Housekeeping

housecleaning - things to do when you're bored

Ok, maybe this sounds boring, but I always seem to have time-consuming projects around the house lurking on my to-do list that never seem to rise to the top. Why not spend a few hours each day on these? Just imagine how satisfying it will feel to have finally deep-cleaned that closet or fixed that broken thingamajig.

Are you feeling a little claustrophobic and need to get some fresh air? If it’s warm enough, give your car a thorough cleaning inside and out or hose down the patio, powerwash the siding, wash the windows, or do some gardening. I’m always amazed at how much more lovely the world looks from the inside when my windows are clean.

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A collage of three images with a central title text. The left image shows a person reading a book, the middle image depicts a child playing in the leaves in sutumn, and the right image features a person stirring ingredients in a glass bowl. The bold text above reads ‘15 Ways to Banish Boredom with These Fun Activities’ on an orange background, and below is the website ‘travelingwithpurpose.com’. This image suggests various things to do when you’re bored, including creative and productive activities, both at home and outside.
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Finish Those Craft Projects in Your Closet

If you’re a lifelong crafter like me, you probably have all the supplies for dozens of projects tucked away somewhere waiting for that rainy day. I literally have a project that I started over 40 years ago that I’m still dragging around to every new home with the plan/hope of getting it finished someday. What could be better than a week or two of crafting to solve the boredom issue?

Months or years ago you were probably all excited about the latest creative idea, went to the store to get everything, then lost interest or ran out of time before you were able to finish or start. Imagine all the projects you can get done now. Finishing unfinished crafts is the perfect productive activity when you’re bored.

Enjoy the Outdoors

A vibrant image of two individuals wearing life jackets paddling a red canoe on a calm, reflective waterway surrounded by dense green forest. The trees are tall with lush foliage, and the water mirrors the verdant environment, creating a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor activities.

Even if your time or money is limited you can usually take a walk around your neighborhood or find a beach or park to enjoy. When we lived in coastal Virginia we had so many beaches, not to mention lakes and rivers to visit. Many of the local parks had canoe or kayak rentals for folks to get out on the water too.

Do you have a pool at your house or in your neighborhood? Some towns have public pools where you can pay a small amount to go for the day. This can be fun and great exercise for the whole family. The good news is that you’ll get some exercise, plus much-needed Vitamin D and fresh air. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Get Your Hands Dirty in the Garden

Gardening is another way to be productive and enjoy the sunshine. Depending on the season you can plant, weed, or harvest fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, or an array of other plants to enhance your home and improve your lifestyle. Just think of the money you would save from growing something from seed rather than buying it at a store.

How about some fun with the kids too? Play tag with your kids, enjoy a picnic at home or at a park, read a story, do some birdwatching, or just grab your favorite drink and relax on the patio.

“The glory of gardening, hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

Alfred Austin

Pamper Yourself

A small wooden tray sits on top of a clawfoot bathtub. The tray holds a lit candle, a cup of coffee in a patterned mug, a small vase with dried flowers, and two round objects that could be coasters or lids. The vase and candle are placed on wooden discs, and an open book titled ‘Daily Rituals’ is visible. The setting suggests a cozy and tranquil environment, perfect for reading or enjoying a warm beverage. Self care is perfect for when you're bored.

This one’s hard for me. I’m not very good at self-care. For some reason, I find it difficult to put pampering ahead of other tasks to be done. But, if you’re really looking for things to do when you’re bored, this is a good one that you may not otherwise get to. Get out of the house and visit a day spa, get a massage, enjoy a yoga class, or get a haircut or manicure. Have lunch or drinks with a friend or enjoy your own company on a special date with yourself.

Here are a few simple things you can do at home: Take a bubble bath, order your favorite food to be delivered, give yourself a manicure and pedicure, or take a nap. If you want to get creative try making a homemade Sugar Scrub to use in the shower or bath. You may already have all the ingredients in your pantry. Here are a few recipes. Remember that any essential oils or scents are optional.

What are your favorite things to do when you’re bored? If you’re looking for more you may also be interested in these “14 Ways to Help You Feel More Connected When You’re Stuck at Home“.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Do you have limited funds or time? Or maybe you just aren’t able to get out of town right now. This other post of mine has tons of ideas for how to enjoy a hometown staycation when you’re bored and can’t get away.

Booking your trip? Here are some of the resources I use myself:

-Book great deals on flights with Cheap-o-Air
-Discover cool lodging with Booking.com
-Reserve your vacation home rental with VRBO
-Book your car rental with RentalCars.com
-Buy your travel insurance with InsureMyTrip
-Book unique travel tours with Get Your Guide and Viator
-Find delicious culinary experiences with EatWith
-Find even more of my favorite travel resources here.

When you use these links I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps me pay the bills and allows me to continue to create and share free tips and advice to help you travel better. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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