We all like to have free time. To take a break from work, obligations, or study and have time to ourselves. However, as paradoxical as it may sound, even though we really look forward to these moments, sometimes we find ourselves just not knowing what to do. If you find yourself in this kind of situation, don’t worry, we’ve put together a list of the best things to do when you’re bored.

Although it’s true that you usually like to have your family or friends around, for most of these activities you don’t need anyone else. In other words, you can practice them alone, at home and they can benefit you in many ways. Give them a try when you’re next feeling bored.

80 things to do when you’re bored

You’ll find lots of activities on our list of things to do when you’re bored. Some involve technology, and others steer well clear of it. They adapt to all ages and a wide range of tastes and interests. Therefore, you’re sure to find one that suits you.

1. Organize your playlist

Delete songs that you’ve already listened to thousands of times or those that no longer appeal to you. Also, spend a bit of time and add some new songs to the list.

2. Find a new board game

Board games date back to 3000 BC so they’ve entertained hundreds of generations. Why shouldn’t you enjoy them too?

Today there are many fun and novel games. However, you can also try the classics like Dungeons and Dragons, The Game of Life, or Monopoly.

3. Check the latest list of Oscar winners

If you’re tired and you need a relaxing activity, watching a good movie is always a good idea. Sometimes, however, you can get overwhelmed just trying to choose one, with all the options there are available.

To help you with your choice, you can find six Oscar winners here or, if you prefer a scary movie here are seven of the best ones of all time.

4. Take a look at your finances

Admittedly, this isn’t the most fun activity on our list. However, it’ll keep you busy as well as help improve your finances. Check your expenses for the last month. Work out which have been worth it, which haven’t, and what you can do to organize yourself better.

5. Discover new places on Google Earth

A decade ago, Google Earth was one of the most used programs in the world. With its help you can walk through streets, cities, mountains and lakes around the world without even leaving your room. Find it here.

6. Get hooked on a tutorial on YouTube

Everything you want to do, but don’t know how, is on YouTube. For example, you can find out how to fix your computer, learn how to use Photoshop, make a new recipe, put on makeup, improve your learning routine, and thousands of others.

7. Practice meditation

In this link, you can find out about the benefits of meditation in your day-to-day life. Besides these, it’s a great tool for occupying your free time.

Furthermore, you don’t need specialized equipment to practice it or any great knowledge. Do you have questions about how to start? Find a YouTube video and get learning!

8. Sign up for an online course

There are thousands and thousands of online courses on numerous subjects. For instance, history, literature, gastronomy, art, music, chemistry, nutrition, and more. Many of them, you can even get for free.

Try Coursera, Khan Academy, or edX. These have some of the best deals on the internet. Indeed, without a doubt, learning something new when you’re bored is one of the best things to do.

9. Take virtual museum tours

As with Google Earth, you can leave your home without even moving with virtual museum tours. Among others, you might like the Prado in Madrid, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Vatican Museum, Rome.

10. Update your cv

This is one of the most productive things to do when you’re bored. It doesn’t matter that you might be perfectly happy in your job. In fact, updating your CV is never a waste of time. You never know when it might come in useful.

11. Listen to a new podcast

Podcasts are another of the best tools for avoiding boredom. With these, you can learn, get inspired, and discover new things. It’s impossible to recommend just one, so here’s a link to a list of 50 of the best, as compiled by Time magazine.

12. Go for a run

Not only does going for a run clear your mind, distract, and entertain you during your free time. You also improve your health, maintain or reduce your weight, and release hormones that make you feel better. If you don’t like running, then try another sport like swimming or cycling.

13. Learn how to prepare a new dish

Perhaps you tried a new dish in a restaurant recently that you really enjoyed. Well, don’t wait until you go back there again, get to work, and prepare it yourself. Check on the Internet what ingredients you need and follow the recipe step by step to imitate it as best you can.

14. Open an account on TikTok

TikTok is the social network of the moment. Although it’s far from reaching the numbers of Facebook or Instagram, its number of users continues to increase. It’s not just dancing, there’s a really varied content. For example, art, humor, tutorials, and entertainment in general.

15. Learn to juggle

This is certainly the most unproductive activity on our list. Nevertheless, maybe that’s what makes it so special. Can you juggle? You can either learn from scratch or improve your technique in your free time. At least it’ll entertain your friends at some point in the future.

16. Organize your email

This is so important, it should really be at the top of the list. Are you one of those people who has 100 plus unread emails in your inbox?  Well, it’s time for you to sit down, arm yourself with some patience, and start organizing them.

Cancel old subscriptions, distribute the contents into folders, reply to your latest emails, and empty your draft and spam folders.

17. Try new combinations of clothes from your wardrobe

This is one thing that’ll have an impact the next time you leave the house. Sometimes it’s not so much the number of clothes you have, but how you combine them with each other. Leave your usual boring garment combinations behind and try some new ones for a bit of variety.

18. Take a look at the front page of the newspapers

We know that doing this can sometimes be exhausting. You seem to only find bad news when you check the headlines of a newspaper. Even so, you can’t completely disconnect from the reality of where you live. Furthermore, it’s a good way to pass the time. You can quickly take a walk through The New York Times, The Washington Post or The Guardian.

19. Download an astronomy app

How many times have you looked at the sky without being able to identify a single star? That can end today with the help of apps for mobile devices. There are dozens, but the easiest to use are SkySafari, Star Walk 2, Exoplanet, and Star Tracker.

20. Make homemade ice-cream

If you don’t know how to do it, learn. If you’ve already mastered it, branch out and create an elaborate and delicious dessert. Making homemade ice cream isn’t that difficult and it’s certainly one of the most fun things you can do when you’re bored. If you don’t know how to, follow our previous advice and look for a YouTube tutorial to show you.

21. Discover a new series on Netflix

Or from Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, or other streaming platforms. It doesn’t have to be the series of the moment. As a matter of fact, it’s sometimes the small productions that prove to be the most fascinating.

22. Back up the information on your computer

From your mobile and tablet too. Surely in the past, you’ve lost valuable photos, videos, and documents by not making a backup in time. Make sure this doesn’t happen again and make one in the cloud or on an external drive. Without a doubt, this is one of the most productive things to do when you’re bored. If you don’t know how to do it, it’s back to a Youtube tutorial again.

23. Download a game on your device

Whether or not you’re a fan of video games, you’ll probably agree that these are a great way to pass the time. If you’re not the biggest fan, maybe you haven’t yet found the right game for you.

24. Watch a show on Broadway

No matter where you are, with one click you can access the best Broadway shows. All you need to do is go to their official webpage, choose a subscription, and start watching.

25. Read a cookbook

Whether you consider yourself a prodigy in the kitchen or not, there are always new things to learn. Indeed, if you don’t like reading fiction, you might enjoy cookbooks. You can learn different recipes to try out.

26. Start practicing yoga

We mentioned earlier the benefits of yoga. It reduces your stress, clears your mind, increases the flexibility of your body, and even helps improve some posture problems.

Like meditation, you don’t need specialized equipment or a lot of space to do it. Next time you’re bored, try some beginner poses.

27. Organize your home

Another thing to do when you’re bored that might not fill you with joy, but will certainly be productive. There’s always something to organize at home, whether it’s selecting clothes to wash, dusting your books, or cleaning the bathroom. Furthermore, they’re tasks that, no matter how much you put them off, you still have to do in the end.

28. Start reading a comic

The popularity of the comic has suffered ups and downs throughout its history. Today, with the release of Marvel movies, their polarity has risen again. If you don’t know which one to read, and you don’t like superhero themes, we suggest you review the list of Rolling Stone’s 50 best.

29. Study a new language (seriously)

There are so many tools today for learning a new language that there’s just no excuse not to try. You can start with the most basic, Duolingo, and then progress to a more detailed course according to your level.

Try not to give up halfway through. After all, you have the free time, or you wouldn’t be reading this!

30. Write a journal of anecdotes

Writing a journal can be a great therapeutic tool. It’s not only a space where you can express yourself freely, but also one of the best things to do during your free time. In it, you can write whatever you want: ideas, feelings, anecdotes from your day-to-day, or just the first thing that comes to mind.

31. Delete apps that you don’t use anymore

Or that you don’t think you’ll use again, at least in the short term. Keep in mind that many apps run in the background, which makes your mobile, computer, or tablet run slowly.

32. Do a jigsaw puzzle

This is a classic solution to boredom. However, you shouldn’t think of it as just a dull and old-fashioned activity. In fact, doing a jigsaw can be extremely stimulating. It improves your spatial and associative perception and exercises your memory.

33. Check your first aid kit

This is another beneficial activity. Some people completely forget to update their first aid kit. Some may not even have one.

If you do have a kit, renew and replace any necessary medications and components. If you don’t have one, make one now.

34. Try a forgotten family recipe

All families have unique and special recipes. Take advantage of your free time to perfect a recipe from your mother, your grandparents, or other relatives. Don’t let these family traditions die. You can also share them with each other.

35. Explore the new restaurants in your neighborhood

This is another thing that you can do without leaving home if you like. Use Google Maps or Google Business to see what new establishments there are close to where you live. Then, check their social media, website, and client reviews. If it sounds good, plan a visit next time you’re hungry.

36. Plant a tree

Planting a tree is one of the things we should all do before we die. It’s easy, fast, and makes you feel good about yourself. You can take care of it or check its growth throughout the year. This is certainly an activity to do if you want to leave your mark on humanity. 

37. Help a charity

You could make a donation of money or clothing, donate to a food bank, or offer to help in fundraising activities. It’ll keep you busy and it’s all for a good cause.

38. Research and start a new diet

When we say research, we mean in the sense that you don’t get carried away by the first diet you see on the Internet. Check what’s been published about it, how safe it is, the nutritionists’ points of view, and if it fits your goals. If you want to lose a couple of kilos, also make sure to include regular exercise in your routine.

39. Explore online offers

This is something we all do when we’ve nothing to do. Explore offers on Amazon or from stores that operate on social networks in search of something you simply don’t need. One that you enjoy buying just for the joy of it.

40. Plan your future goals

Do you know what you want to achieve next month? And in one, two, or five years? In fact, your life revolves around projects, which are easier to achieve when you plan them. If you think your life’s a bit chaotic, don’t hesitate in taking a pencil and paper and program your short, medium, and long-term goals.

41. Learn more about wine

Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of alcoholic beverages, wine culture is a universe in itself that attracts all kinds of people. Furthermore, it’s never too late to start learning, so take the first step by visiting a vineyard, following experts on the subject, reading books, attending tastings, and sharing the hobby with your close friends.

42. Watch a documentary

Documentaries are perfect as an alternative audiovisual material to series and movies. You also learn from them. Here’s a link to 50 of the best, according to the IMDb.

43. Take a personality test

These are used to unravel certain of your patterns of behavior. The results don’t have to determine your character or life plan in any way though, it’s just one more interesting thing to do when you’re bored.

44. Explore your gardening skills

Everyone thinks gardening is boring until they start doing it. In fact, it’s an activity that requires dedication and patience to see its fruits (literally), but it rewards you with peace and tranquility. If you don’t have a garden, you can always plant in pots inside your apartment.

45. Start playing an instrument

Do it seriously, as with learning the new language. There are dozens of tools, applications, tutorials, and tips online to help if you want to do it without the help of a teacher. However, if you want to take it really seriously, sign up for regular classes.

46. Complete a crossword

Many think that filling out crossword puzzles is for old people. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, completing them is a real challenge for both your intelligence and your general knowledge.

If you consider yourself to be a crossword expert, find one and start filling it in. If you wish, you can even download a crossword app on your mobile.

47. Learn to make origami figures

The origami technique is an art in itself, one that we could classify as ephemeral. It’s not just the classic crane that you can make. With a little experience, you can design almost any animal, from dolphins to butterflies. Indeed, learning this art is one of the best things to do when you’re bored.

48. Watch an opera online

Technology makes it easy for you to transport yourself to another place without having to move an inch. If you’re an opera lover, or you want to start cultivating a taste for it, you can check the official website of the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna Opera, or the Paris Opera. Sometimes, you can even access the shows for free.

49. Consult Wikipedia

On Wikipedia, you can find all kinds of information. Biographies of your favorite actors, fascinating historical events, and curious facts that you knew nothing about are just some of the thousands of things available with one click.

50. Learn to edit your photos

In Google Play and App Store you can find hundreds of editing programs. Some are rather complex, while others have intuitive interfaces that allow you to learn quickly. In fact, if you have a couple of hours to spare, you can improve your editing technique by trying out all the available tools.

51. Consider starting your own YouTube channel.

We’ve all probably dreamed about being a content creator for YouTube at one time or another. You may even have gone so far as to consider what content you’d include. If you have strong communication skills, why not give it a try?

52. Listen to an audiobook

If you’re not a fan of reading, you may find audiobooks enjoyable. They’re a practical and useful way to access literary stories in a different way. There are dozens of apps of this type in the app stores, also on YouTube and Internet pages.

53. Learn to knit

Knitting isn’t just for grandmas. Far from it. As a matter of fact, not long ago we saw Olympian Tom Daley knitting during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. If you’re a beginner, you can start with the classic plain stitch and then move on to more complicated techniques.

54. Start writing a blog

A blog is a kind of diary in which you share whatever comes to your mind. Whatever you choose to write in this digital space of your own, it’s a way of passing the time when you’ve nothing to do.

55. Take a city walk

There are always things in the city to discover, even if you’ve lived your whole life there. In fact, taking a walk isn’t only healthy for you, but it also helps distract you. You can do it alone, with friends, or with your partner. This is another must for the list.

56. Look for that something you’ve lost

Surely there’s something you’ve lost somewhere around the house? If you’re in the mood, get down to business and try to find it. In the process, you’ll no doubt find many other things that you’d totally forgotten about. 

57. Completely change the style of your room

One of the things to do when you’re bored that also relieves the monotony of your surroundings is to change the style of your room. This will take you several hours, especially if you decide to completely renovate.

58. Take dance classes

You can do this even if dancing doesn’t appeal to you. Particularly if you’ve ever found yourself feeling awkward because you don’t know how to. Now, you have the opportunity to not repeat this experience. Start by taking classes from home, with tutorials on YouTube, and when you get a little more confident, consider attending an academy.

59. Make new friends online

All you need is a device and an internet connection. You can do it through social media or with apps specifically designed for the purpose. You can talk with someone who is in the Antipodes or with a person who lives a couple of streets away but who you’ve never met.

60. Write a monologue

It can be about anything, it can be the first idea that comes to your mind. It can be a comedy monologue, a theater monologue, or just random thoughts. Learn it and then practice it out loud when you’re alone. This fun exercise will allow you to exercise your creativity in your free time.

61. Download an exercise app

If you find it difficult to carry out a physical activity routine, you can use an app to help you. It’ll recommend activities and remind you, if you schedule it in your agenda, that it’s time to exercise.

Apps will also suggest routines and show you how many calories you’ve burned during exercise sessions. There are hundreds in the main app stores, so it won’t be difficult to find one with which you feel comfortable.

62. Immerse yourself in the culture of a country

Here’s an entertaining game. Every day, choose a country at random and learn ten things about it. For example, its gastronomy, history, economy, main cities, language, natural spaces, politics, or sporting achievements. In this way, you increase your knowledge as well as entertaining yourself at the same time.

63. Support a local business

A new vegan food restaurant, a trendy start-up, or a tailor’s shop just opened around the corner. These kinds of enterprises help a city to grow. In turn, with your support and those of like-minded local people, the businesses will thrive in the long term.

64. Plan a bike ride

We’ve already suggested you walk around your city. However, believe it or not, even when you choose the same route, the experience is completely different pedaling on two wheels. It’s also a good way of including exercise in your routine.

65. Play solitaire

Solitaire is one of the classic things to do when you’re bored and alone. This legendary card game has only a few basic rules yet can keep you entertained for hours. It’s always a good idea to have to fall back on.

66. Call your parents

This should probably be at the top of any list. However, we haven’t organized our list in order of importance. Anyway, if you haven’t spoken to your parents for a while, there’s no better time to call than now.

67. Buy that lamp you’ve always wanted on Amazon

Or table, or wall clock. We’ve all seen something on Amazon that we love but haven’t bought for one reason or another. Put aside those excuses and add it to your shopping cart once and for all.

68. Experiment and find new styles

You can look for inspiration on social networks like Instagram or Pinterest or go directly to the main fashion portals. You might want to consider new hairstyles, clothes, or sneakers. As long as you feel comfortable with it, anything goes.

69. Write a letter to your future self

Furthermore, set a tentative date to open it. Write what you’d like your future self to read in two, five, or ten years from now. They might be dreams, feelings, goals or projects. For added security, create an online version and store it in the cloud.

70. Debug your social networks

This might range from content that you shared years ago, friends that you follow with whom you no longer want to maintain relationships, or some old details in your biography. If it’s information that’s no longer relevant, remove it.

71. Start watching an anime

Why is it that everyone’s talking about animes? What’s so special about them that they attract millions of people? The best way to find out is by reading or watching some of the most popular ones. If you don’t know where to start, here’s the link to IMBd’s top 100 list.

72. Learn about physics and cosmology

Black holes, space travel, stars, supernovas, particles that are in two places at the same time, apparent signs of other civilizations… Is anything more entertaining than this? Once you dive into this ocean of information, you’ll discover that there certainly isn’t.

73. Draw

When was the last time you tried to draw? We mean real drawing here, not just scribbling on a blank sheet of paper. Once again, your resource for learning is a YouTube tutorial. In fact, there are hundreds that show you how to improve your drawing technique. After all, it’s never too late to learn a new art.

74. Look for a new tattoo design

Even if you don’t have any or don’t want to get more than you already have. Indeed, some tattoo designs are true works of art, and you can entertain yourself for hours looking at designs.

75. Consider adopting a pet

You’ll never be bored in the same way again if you get a pet. You might choose a classic pet, like a cat or a dog. Or, perhaps a hamster, fish, or rabbit. However, always ensure that the adoption is legal and that you’re responsible enough to deal with the animal.

76. Read an interview of someone who’s interesting to you

Writer, actor, activist, fashion designer. We all have someone whose artistic or personal career we admire. There are few better ways to learn about the lives or ideas of these people than through interviews.

77. Improve your penmanship

At present, digital calligraphy has almost completely banished writing. Nevertheless, this phenomenon shouldn’t be an obstacle if you want to improve it.  You can start with the classic Palmer method and then move on to other styles.

78. Have a picnic indoors

Can you have a picnic without leaving your home? Of course, you can. You can do it alone, or with your partner, friends, or family. It’s a fun and different way to share a snack prepared by you.

79. Start taking care of your skin

Skin exfoliation sessions take time and dedication. However, it’s an activity that brings you tangible benefits that you’ll appreciate in a couple of months.

80. Finish that incomplete project

A half-completed novel, a room you didn’t finish painting, or a project that you abandoned before it began to bear fruit. Get down to business and pick it up again when you find you’ve got more free time than usual. 

Well, we’ve come to the end of our list. Without a doubt, you certainly now have no excuse for doing nothing when you next find yourself feeling bored.

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