90 Things to Do When You’re Bored at Home (fun AND productive!)

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Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

When you’re bored and stuck at home, it can feel like there’s just nothing to do.

You sit there, sort of paralyzed and stuck…

It doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve put together a list of 90 things you can do – that don’t include watching TV!

These ideas include both fun AND productive ways to pass the time.

Let’s check ’em out!

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This post may contain affiliate links. You can view my full disclosure policy here. 

Creative & Fun Things to Do at Home:

1. Try a new recipe

You can invent a new recipe with the items you have on hand. Or crack open a cookbook, or search online, for a delicious-sounding recipe.

2. Have a pamper night

If you’re stuck at home (or the spa is out of your budget), have a pamper day! This is everything you need for a proper at-home spa day.

3. Write a short story

Tell the story of something that happened to you, or bust out your creative writing skills and create a fiction story.

4. Look through old photo albums

Pull out photo albums from your younger days, and take a fun trip down memory lane.

5. Listen to an audiobook 

Grab a FREE 30 day Audible trial (plus 2 free audio books) from Amazon to listen at no cost.  

Feel free to pick something from the productive list to do while you listen!

6. Do a puzzle

If you’re feeling up for a creative challenge, do a jigsaw, crossword, or sudoku puzzle.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

7. Call or FaceTime someone who lives far away

Hang out with a friend or family member virtually. Hearing their voice is so much better than texting!

8. Play an instrument

Dust off that old keyboard, guitar, or saxophone, and see what you still remember.

9. Have a picnic

Put out a blanket, and pack up some food to eat in your living room or backyard. Sometimes just a change of scenery really helps.

10. Create a bucket list

Dream of all the fun things you want to do in your lifetime. Or make a seasonal bucket list for what you want to do this or next season.

Here are some ideas for inspiration:

11. Create a playlist of your all-time favorite songs

If you’re old enough to have experienced cassette tapes, you know the beauty of the mixed tape.

Make the modern day equivalent by creating a playlist of your very favorite songs.

12. Have a dance party

Use the playlist you just created, (or just some music on the radio or online) and dance around your living room or basement.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

13. Bake some cookies, brownies, bread, or cupcakes

Nothing cures boredom like a delicious baked good! Use a boxed mix from the pantry, or look up an easy recipe online for a sweet treat.

It’s not as hard as you think!

14. Watch or listen to stand up comedy

If you’re feeling kind of down, or just like to laugh, check out some standup comedy.

Some of it is raunchy, but they usually have a funny perspective on things you haven’t thought of.

15. Have a movie night or movie marathon

Watch an old favorite or something new. Or have a movie marathon of several good movies!

16. Take a creative class 

There are actually creative classes you can take online.

Many stores like Michael’s offer streaming classes you can watch and follow along.

17. Play a board game

If you haven’t played a board game in years, it’s easy to forget how fun they are.

Even an old-fashioned card game would do the trick!

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

18. Dream of or plan a vacation

Plan a road trip or vacation for later this year or next year.

Save money on hotels by renting a house instead. 

19. Build a fort

Whether you have kids or not, there’s just something oddly fun about building a living room fort out of pillows and blankets.

20. Start reading a new book

You probably have some books you’ve bought but never read. Now’s a great time to crack one open!

Or sign up for a Kindle Unlimited subscription, and enjoy reading as many ebooks as you can handle.

21. Listen to a podcast

Whether you like true crime, productivity, cooking, personal finance, or just about anything else – there’s a podcast for it!

22. Color in a coloring book

Both adult and kiddie coloring books are relaxing to color in. If you don’t have one, you can find free coloring sheets to print at home.

23. Work on your wishlist 

Organize all the things you’d love to own into a list for your birthday or Christmas. That way when someone asks you what you want, you’ll have ideas ready to give them.

24. Polish your nails or toes

Give yourself a mani or pedi. You’ll love seeing how pretty they look for the next week or so.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

25. Go for a walk

Even if it’s not ideal weather, take a walk around your neighborhood for some fresh air. You’ll come home so rejuvenated.

26. Have a fun photo shoot

Take some nice (or funny) photos of yourself, friends, or family members.

27. Go for a bike ride

Kids love to ride their bikes for a reason – it’s really fun!

28. Listen to your favorite album

These days it’s less common to listen to an album from start to finish. Bust out an old favorite to listen to.

29. Try out different hairstyles

Practice and experiment with styling your hair differently, either for an everyday look, or a special occasion.

30. Make a vision board

Print or cut some pictures out from magazines of things you dream of accomplishing. Then hang it somewhere you can see it.

31. Camp in the living room or backyard

You don’t have to go to a campground to camp! It can be just as fun in your living room or backyard.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

32. Have a Chopped competition 

Use up some random ingredients from your fridge and pantry, and have a cooking competition like the Food Network show Chopped.

33. Write in a journal

If you have an old journal you’ve neglected, or been meaning to start a new one, now’s a great time to get your thoughts out on paper.

34. Put together a time capsule

Grab up some items that are meaningful to this point in your life, and make a time capsule that you can look at in 5-10 years.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to bury it in the yard!

35. Look at mansions on Zillow

It’s fun to browse fancy schmancy houses on real estate sites. It’s just meant to be fun – if it makes you feel bad about your current accommodations, skip this one!

36. Watch old home movies

Bust out those old family videos, and have a good laugh.

37. Create an Instagram account for your pet

Got a particularly cute or funny pet? Have fun putting together an Instagram feed for them, so everyone can enjoy him or her.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

38. Make a ‘bored jar’ using these ideas

Jot down some of these ideas on little scraps of paper. Then put them in a jar to pull from when you’re feeling bored.

39. Try yoga or meditation

Do a guided meditation or yoga class on YouTube. You’ll feel so relaxed!

40. Play with your pet 

Spend some quality time with your pet. They’ll love it if you get down on their level and interact.

41. Explore Pinterest

Pinterest is full of SO many creative and fun ideas! 

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for home decor, outfits, recipes, or just about everything else, start making some boards to organize your dreams and favorite ideas.

42. Trace your ancestry

Use a site like Ancestry to trace your family members back in time.

43. Exchange massages with a friend or partner

Take turns giving massages to your spouse or friend. You’ll both feel relaxed, and it doesn’t cost a dime!

44. Start a book club

Chat with some book-loving friends about starting up a book club together. You can take turns choosing the books, and hosting the weekly or monthly meetings.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

45. Do a craft

Look online for an easy craft that you can make from items you have on hand at home.

46. Watch YouTube 

You can really pass a LOT of time on YouTube. Search for something you’re interested in learning, and enjoy falling down the rabbit hole of endless content!

47. Have a tea party

You don’t need to be (or have) a little girl to enjoy having a tea party. If you like tea or snacks, go for it!

48. Tour museums online

Here are 500+ museums you can tour right from home!

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

Productive Things to Do When You’re Bored at Home:

49. Do an exercise video

Bust out an old workout dvd, or follow along with one on YouTube.

50. Declutter something

Pick an area that’s bugging you – big or small – and declutter it. Toss or donate anything you don’t use, and make a plan to organize the rest.

51. Organize your photos

We all have digital and printed photos that we desperately need to organize. You’ll be SO happy you did!

52. Start getting organized for Christmas

Even if the holidays are months away, there are things you can do now to start getting ready. That way you’re not overwhelmed in December.

Here are 19 ways to get ready for Christmas now.

53. Organize your recipes

Here are 7 different ways you can organize your recipes. You know, so you’ll actually use them!

54. Create meal plans

Speaking of using recipes, put together a few weekly menu plans that you can rotate through.

Bonus points if you make the coordinating shopping lists!

Related: How to Get Started Meal Planning Today: 10 Super Easy Tricks

55. Research something you’ve been wondering about

We all have those things we don’t quite understand. Do some Googling to learn how they work.

56. Paint a room

For about $50, you can completely change the look of a room. And you can usually do it in just a few hours!

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

57. Start a 30 day challenge

Here are 20 fun challenges you can do to create a new habit.

58. Rearrange furniture in a room

Change up the look of your living room or bedroom by rearranging the furniture.

59. Do a power hour clean

Set a timer for one hour, and see how much cleaning you can get done. Here are 51 chores that only take 10 minutes each!

Related: How to Clean Your House Really Fast (step by step!)

60. Organize your pantry (and take inventory)

Having an organized pantry makes cooking dinner so much easier. And you probably have more food than you think, so take an inventory of what’s in there.

Try making your meals for the week from what you already have to save money on groceries!

61. Brainstorm ways to earn extra money

It never hurts to have more than one source of income. You no doubt have some skill or gift that others don’t…and are willing to pay you for.

Here are 21 ways to earn extra money.

62. Organize your closet 

If choosing your outfit takes forever (or you keep wearing the same things over and over), you’ll really benefit from a closet cleanout. 

Here’s how to organize your clothes in 5 simple steps.

While you’re at it, try on and plan your outfits for the week.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

63. Learn a new skill 

Being stuck at home is no excuse for not learning new things! Udemy has tons of inexpensive courses you can take, right from the comfort of your home.

64. Plan a party 

Make a plan to host a fun gathering. Brainstorm a theme, the menu, decorations, etc.

65. Update your LinkedIn profile

You never know when a headhunter might be looking for someone with your exact skills. 

66. Catch up on your magazine reading

If you have some stacks of unread magazines, now’s a great time to actually read them!

(And after you read them, donate or recycle them. Because no one need stacks of magazines hanging around.)

67. Wash the windows

I know, not exactly anyone’s favorite chore. But it makes SUCH a difference. You’ll be so surprised how much better you can see!

68. Clean out and organize your purse

Now’s the perfect time to get rid of those old receipts,  gum wrappers, and random business cards.

I use and love this inexpensive purse organizer. It keeps everything looking really tidy!

69. Organize and declutter your kitchen

Having a tidy and organized kitchen makes it much easier to prepare meals.

Here are some helpful kitchen organization resources:

70. Start a garden

You can create a simple garden with just a few easy-to-grow veggies or herbs.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

71. Catch up on your laundry

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by laundry, take an afternoon to get all caught up.

Then you can try doing 1-2 loads a day to stay ahead of the piles.

72. Clean your rings

Wedding rings can get full of lotion, lint, and dirt, so it’s important to clean them at least a few times a year.

73. Unsubscribe from annoying emails

Some stores send emails like 3 times a day! Unsubscribe from any emails that annoy you. Or especially the ones that make you want to spend money unnecessarily.

74. Change up your home decor

Swap out some of your home decor from room to room. Or just change up the placement within the room.

You could even get a few new photos printed, and change out your what’s in your framed pictures.

Related: 9 Cheap and Clever Ways to Change Your Home Decor for Every Season

75. Update your resume 

You never know when a new opportunity will present itself, so it’s important to update your resume at least once a year.

76. Clean out your fridge

Take an hour and tidy up your refrigerator! Toss any old food or condiments that won’t get used, and wipe down the shelves and drawers.

Related: 10 Ways to Make Your Fridge Smell Fresh

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

77. Make lists

Lists can really help you get organized. Here are 15 lists to make to organize your whole life!

78. Research places to volunteer

If you’ve been feeling like you want to give back, look online for places in your area that need volunteers.

79. Take a nap

Catch up on your sleep with a short or long nap!

80. Do a project you’ve been putting off

Procrastination is the worst. And we usually think projects will take so much longer than they actually do.

Make the decision that you’ll just START the project. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes, and just start the process.

You may even gain momentum in that time, and want to keep going.

81. Create an emergency kit

Put together a kit you can grab in case of emergency. Hopefully you never need it, but it never hurts to be prepared!

It could include items like:

  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • First aid supplies
  • Gloves
  • Cash
  • Bottled water
  • Snack bars

82. Clean your makeup brushes

It’s so easy to forget to clean certain things. Use baby shampoo or hand soap, and clean your makeup brushes.

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

83. Organize your phone 

Your phone is probably full of photos and apps you don’t actually use. Delete things that don’t serve you, and organize the rest into folders.

84. Clean out your email inbox

Got thousands of old emails? Delete anything you don’t need, and organize the rest into folders.

Then you can try to stay ahead of the buildup by doing daily deleting.

85. Make a 5 year or 10 year plan for your life

Make goals of what you’d like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years. Then break it down into what you’ll need to do each year to reach those goals.

If it’s hard for you to make plans that far in the future, make smaller goals for the next 6-12 months.

86. Create a budget

If your finances have felt disorganized lately, here are 10 things you can do to get them organized.

Related: Budgeting for Beginners: A Step by Step Guide for Getting Started

87. Watch or listen to a TED talk

There are so many different TED talks to inspire and educate you. And you can listen to one while you’re doing something else productive to make the most of your time!

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

88. Declutter your social media

It’s time to delete or hide those annoying or angering ‘friends’ on social media.

Only follow people who inspire you. Not anyone who upsets you, or makes you feel bad about yourself.

Related: 10 Benefits of a Social Media Detox

89. Clean out your car

You may get your car washed regularly, but perhaps the inside is looking a bit neglected. 

Throw away any trash, vacuum the floor and seats, and wipe down the dashboard. 

90. Spring clean

Spring cleaning can actually be done any time of the year! It’s just some deep cleaning that we often forget to do.

Here’s a spring cleaning checklist you can use to know exactly what to clean.

Ready to try some of these ideas when you’re bored at home?

I hope this list of ideas has given you lots of inspiration for things you can do when you’re stuck at home.

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or be productive!

Be sure to also check out:

Things to do when you’re bored at home! Here are 90 fun AND productive things to pass the time when you’re stuck at home.

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2 Comments

  1. THANK YOU so much for the 90 things to do at home and all the other messages from you. You have helped me so so much. Stay safe, keep the great information coming.

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