You know that feeling. It's raining outside, your friends are busy, and suddenly your cozy home feels like a cage. What now? Instead of doomscrolling through social media for the third hour, let's crack this boredom code together. I've been there too – remember last winter when my city had that massive snowstorm? I survived two weeks indoors without losing my mind by discovering new things to do when bored at home.
Pro tip: Boredom isn't your enemy – it's your brain craving novelty. Embrace it as a chance to rediscover forgotten passions.
Creative Outlets That Won't Require a Picasso
Creativity isn't about talent – it's about playing. Last Tuesday, I turned my old t-shirts into disastrous (but hilarious) dog toys. Here's how to start:
No-Skill Crafts Anyone Can Try
Upcycling Magic
Turn junk into treasure:
- Glass jars → herb planters (poke drainage holes!)
- T-shirts → braided rugs (cut into strips)
- Wine corks → coasters (hot glue gun required)
Digital Doodling
Free apps to unleash your inner artist:
- SketchBook (iOS/Android)
- Procreate Pocket ($5 on iOS)
- Adobe Fresco (free tier available)
| Activity | Time Needed | Cost | Stress Level | My Personal Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Coloring Books | 30+ mins | $5-15 | Low | 9/10 (surprisingly addictive) |
| LEGO Building | 1-3 hrs | $20+ | Medium | 7/10 (warning: stepping on pieces HURTS) |
| Origami | 15-60 mins | $0 (use old paper) | High at first | 6/10 (cranes are easy, dragons are evil) |
Learning Adventures From Your Couch
Remember wanting to learn Italian or coding? Boredom is your golden ticket. Last month I finally took that sourdough bread course – my first loaf could've doubled as a hockey puck, but attempt #3? Heavenly.
Skill-Building That Doesn't Suck
- Free Language Apps: Duolingo (bite-sized lessons), Memrise (video clips from natives)
- YouTube University: Channels like "Yes I'm a Designer" for Photoshop or "Adam Neely" for music theory
- Podcast Deep Dives: "Stuff You Should Know" for trivia, "Hardcore History" for epic storytelling
My Duolingo streak hit 100 days during lockdown – never became fluent, but I can now confidently order tacos in 7 languages. Progress!
Get Moving Without a Gym
When cabin fever hits, movement is medicine. You don't need expensive gear – I once did a full workout using canned beans as weights (don't judge).
| Workout Type | Duration | Equipment Needed | Beginner-Friendly | Calorie Burn* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga with Adriene (YouTube) | 15-45 mins | Mat (optional) | Yes | 150-250 |
| Dance Workouts (Fitness Marshall) | 20-40 mins | Speakers | Moderate | 300-400 |
| Staircase HIIT | 10-20 mins | Stairs | No | 200-350 |
*Estimates for 150lb person. Your spaghetti dinner may vary.
Reality check: Tried "living room parkour" during my bored phase. Resulted in a sprained ankle and my cat judging me. Stick to safer options.
Mind Games & Mental Escapes
When your brain feels mushy, these reset buttons work wonders:
Puzzle Therapy
- Jigsaw Puzzles: Start with 500 pieces (Pro tip: sort edges first!)
- Crossword Apps: NYT Mini Crossword (free daily)
- Escape Rooms: Digital versions like "Deadbolt Mystery Society" ($25/box)
Nostalgia Trips Worth Taking
Found my old Game Boy last week – spent hours failing at Tetris just like 1998. Other throwbacks:
- Rebuilding childhood LEGO sets
- Rewatching Saturday morning cartoons (X-Men TAS holds up!)
- Making friendship bracelets like summer camp
Kitchen Experiments
Cooking while bored led to my famous (infamous?) "ramen carbonara fusion." Your adventures:
Pantry Challenges
Combine 3 random ingredients:
- Canned tuna + cinnamon + frozen peas = ? (Actually not terrible)
- Use SuperCook app to find recipes with what you have
Baking Therapy
Beginner successes:
- 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies
- Mug cakes (ready in 90 seconds)
- No-knead bread (just wait 18 hours)
Unusual Things To Do When Bored at Home
Beyond the usual suspects – these kept me sane during that infamous 14-day quarantine:
| Activity | Why It Works | Time Commitment | Weirdness Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Travel via Google Earth | Satisfies wanderlust instantly | 15 mins - 2 hrs | Low (unless you "visit" Area 51) |
| Learn Pen Spinning | Impress coworkers later | 30 mins daily | Medium (you'll drop it 87 times) |
| Create a Family Tree | Discover crazy relatives | Ongoing project | Low (until you find horse thieves) |
FAQs: Answering Your Boredom Battles
What if I have zero energy for complicated things to do when home bored?
Start microscopic. Literally set a 5-minute timer for low-effort activities like:
- Organizing one drawer
- Listening to one new song
- Watering plants
Are there social things to do when bored at home alone?
Absolutely! Try:
- Join Reddit "Watch Parties" for live reactions
- Start a virtual book club via Discord
- Play multiplayer phone games like "Words With Friends"
How do I make cleaning feel less awful?
Gamify it:
- Set a timer for 20 minutes
- Put on upbeat music
- After each completed task, reward yourself with something tiny (one chocolate, 5 min of TikTok)
What are quick things to do when bored at home for just 10 minutes?
My emergency boredom busters:
- Speed declutter a surface (counter, nightstand)
- Learn a magic trick (YouTube: "easy card trick")
- Write a haiku about your fridge
- Do a 7-minute workout app session
- Write a real letter (not email!) to someone
Your Boredom Survival Kit
Make a personalized "boredom jar" – write activities on slips of paper for when inspiration dies. Mine contains:
- Rearrange one shelf decoratively
- Learn to whistle with two fingers (still failing)
- Research local ghost stories
- Attempt a TikTok dance (then delete evidence)
Final confession: Sometimes the best thing to do when bored at home? Absolutely nothing. Sit with the discomfort. Stare at walls. Let your mind wander. We're so addicted to stimulation that we forget stillness is where creativity often sparks.
Next time restlessness hits, revisit this list. Bookmark it. Print it and stick it on your fridge. And if all else fails? Take a weirdly specific nap. You've earned it.