Things to do by yourself when bored

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We’ve all been there. You’re at home by yourself and you’re stuck wondering what to do when you’re bored at home alone.

There’s no one with you to keep you company and it feels like there’s nothing entertaining in your house. I know the feeling. Boredom is inevitable.

But the feeling of being bored at home alone can be cured by some fun things to do by yourself when bored. There are tons of options and many require very, very little effort on your part.

All of these things to do when bored alone can be personalized and made to fit you! If you don’t LOVE one of these ideas, feel free to shift it, add to it, or adjust it to make it more appealing to you.

For example, if you aren’t bored at home alone, you can add friends and family into these fun boredom-crushing activities at home.

This list of things to do when you’re bored at home is simply here to inspire you and help you crush those feelings of boredom!

Let’s jump into it!

50 Fun Things to Do When Bored at Home Alone

40 Fun Indoor Activities for When You’re Bored at Home

1. Bake Something New

Pinterest is your friend! Get in the kitchen and mix up something great. My personal go-to is this healthy banana bread, but there are no rules here! 😉

{RELATED POST: 7 Life-Changing Chocolate Recipes}

2. Have a Movie Series Marathon

Harry Potter marathon? I think yes!

Choose a movie series you love and start watching.

3. Do an Unsolved Case File

If you are into crime or murder mysteries, this is the perfect thing to do when you’re bored at home alone.

There are unsolved crime case files that you can order online here. These files give you clues and information that you have to sort through to solve the crime. You get to act like a true detective on the case. These are so much fun!

4. Color a Picture

Whether you utilize an adult coloring book (or a children’s one!) or create your own drawing entirely, coloring is such a fun way to fill your time when you’re bored at home alone.

(There are cuss word adult coloring books that I think are super hilarious! I just ordered one. Haha!)

5. Play on a DS

Was anyone else obsessed with their DS as a kid? If so, we are probably kids of the same generation… that thing was my LIFE!

To this day, when I get super bored at home by myself, I bust out my old DS and play some games (Mario Kart, Diner Dash, and Nintendogs for the win 😉 ). This seriously keeps me entertained for HOURS.

6. Sell Things Online

This is a great way to overcome boredom, clean out your house, AND make some extra money. That’s a win all around.

{RELATED POST: How to Actually Make Money on Poshmark}

Go through old clothes and/or household items and list them online. Poshmark is my favorite platform to do this, but OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay are also options!

7. Do an At-Home Workout

At-home workouts are great because you can do whatever you want, look as stupid as you need, and no one is there to judge. This is the perfect time to try out yoga or do a super crazy dance workout. No one can see you and it feels so good to get moving.

8. Join a Dating App

Even if you’re not seriously looking, dating apps can be fun. (I still recommend you be single to join, LOL.)

There is some entertaining stuff on those apps. You can have some pretty interesting conversations. Definitely an option to help pass the time if you’re looking for something to do when bored at home alone.

(P.S. Bumble has a friend section on their app! It’s not all about dating- you can meet friends too!)

9. Write a Story

This is something I used to do a lot when I was younger. Sitting down and letting your imagination run with a story is so entertaining (and it keeps you busy for a long time)! If you’re ever bored at home alone, start writing and see what story you can come up with!

10. Play iMessage Games

Send a friend a quick game of pool or battleship over iMessage. Chances are good they’ll respond and want to play. If not, get a new friend. (Kidding… but also not.)

11. Make Homemade Coffee

Making coffee at home can be EVEN BETTER than getting it out. If you have an espresso machine, you’re set. If not, I highly recommend it for any coffee drinkers. (This is the one I have and this is a cheaper option.)

With an espresso machine, your options are endless. Lattes, americanos, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and more. You can make it all… and then you can save money by making your coffee at home from now on.

12. Make a Fort

Sound childish?

Who cares?!

Adult forts are totally normal and incredibly fun! Pick up a fort kit (or just some old blankets and some chairs) and build the adult fort of your dreams!

13. Start a New Book

I just recently finished Small Great Things and it got me back on my reading game. After finishing that book, I downloaded the app Good Readsand have been finding a ton of books I want to read next.

If you don’t have a book in mind, I highly suggest checking out the Good Reads app for ideas. (Not sponsored, I just love it.)

14. Get Ahead on Future Gifts

It’s never too early to plan ahead for the holidays or an incoming birthday. If you’re bored at home alone, it’s the perfect time to online shop for future gifts.

Make a list of all the people you will need gifts for and then start shopping! You’ll be relieved when the holiday comes around and your shopping is already done.

15. Listen to a Podcast

The variety of Podcast options is absolutely amazing. Self-improvement, true crime, and girl talk are three of my favorite genres, but they really have them ALL!

Scroll Podcasts and find a good one to start.

16. Text Your Number Neighbor

Your number neighbor is the phone number that is just one digit off from yours. Text them! Don’t bombard them and respect them if they don’t reply/don’t want to talk.

But you might strike up a good conversation to keep you entertained while you’re bored at home alone.

17. Plan a Future Vacation

Even if it’s just for fun and not something you actually book…

I love shopping AirBNBs online and planning my dream future trips. It’s fun and time flies when you’re doing it!

18. Do Some Skincare

This is relaxing, time-killing, and good for you! Give your skin some TLC during this time bored at home alone.

19. Get Caught Up on New Movies

Pick a favorite streaming app and scroll through the new releases. Get caught up on any new movies you might’ve missed that look interesting to you!

20. Recreate a Favorite Recipe

I’ve been CRAVING a Disneyland Mickey soft pretzel and I just found this Disneyland soft pretzel recipe. This is at the top of my list of things to do next time I’m bored at home alone.

21. Start Learning a New Language

There are tons of resources online to get you started learning a new language online. You’re bored at home alone… there’s nothing better to do! Now’s the time to learn that language you’ve always wanted to master.

22. Do Some Brain Puzzles

Adult brain game puzzle books can be a great way to keep yourself occupied when you get bored at home.

My favorite puzzles are sudoku. I have many sudoku books that I keep for when I get bored alone.

23. Play a Solo Card Game

This can be online on a real physical game of cards. There are lots of single-player card games that can keep you having fun – even when you’re at home all by yourself.

Bonus: you don’t have to worry about anyone cheating to win. It’s just you. 😉

24. Make Paper Airplanes

Again, this may sound childish… but who cares?!

One of the best things I’ve found to help kill boredom is getting back in touch with your inner child. This means video games, forts, and paper airplanes. Look up how to make an epic advanced paper airplane online and get to folding.

25. Do a Paint by Numbers

These are so underrated and SO MUCH FUN.

If you’re not a great artist, a paint by numbers is the perfect solution for you.

This paint by numbers pack comes with the canvas, an easel, and the paints so you have everything you need all in one.

26. Do Your Nails

Like making coffee at home, this is another skill that can come in handy for saving money. If you are someone that gets their nails done often, learning how to do it yourself can save you time and money.

You can even go super fancy and get the gel polish and extension kit. You’ll never know the difference between the salon and home.

27. Make Homemade Bread

Trust me when I tell you that once you make homemade bread, you will never want to go back to the storebought kind.

This homemade bread recipe is my #1 favorite of the many, many recipes I’ve tried. It’s super easy. Just be sure to prep it the night before you want it so it has time to rise!

28. Have a Solo Dance Party

Turn on your favorite song or a good Pandora station and dance it out. You’ll get in some movement, kill some time, and just feel GOOD after! It’s a win all around.

29. Watch Home Alone and Come Up with Your Own Plan

Kevin McCallister is a genius, let’s be real. If you’re home alone and bored, turn on Home Alone and brainstorm what YOU would do in his situation. What would you use to drive the bad guys away?

30. DIY It Up

Go through your Pinterest boards of fun DIYs you’ve pinned but haven’t tried. We all have them!

Tackle one of those fun DIY projects while you’re bored at home alone.

31. Get Productive

Have a to-do list that you’ve been putting off? Now’s a great time to check some things off.

This may not sound like the most FUN thing to do when you’re bored at home alone, but it will feel amazing to get it done!

32. Play with a Pet

Pets make the best company. When we’re at home alone and bored, it can be easy to forget that we’re really not home alone. If you have a pet at home with you, you have built-in fun and entertainment. Play fetch, tug-a-war, or just give some cuddles.

33. Meditate

Learning how to meditate is a skill that can serve you for life. I used to turn my nose up at meditation and I thought it was overhyped. But, in all honesty, meditation is a great resource for navigating life and remaining calm and centered.

34. Color Code Your Closet

Color-coding is one of the main tips in The Home Edit (I swear by this book for organization essentials and tips). Color-coding my closet makes such a huge difference in its appearance and functionality. The only problem is… I tend to ruin it after a month or so.

So re-organizing my closet by color-coding is almost always a good idea for when I’m bored at home alone with nothing to do!

35. Reminise

Go through old letters, notes, or photos! This is such a fun and meaningful activity.

I recently ordered photo boxes to store and organize all of my photos and now they are so simple to find and flip through. This has been one of my favorite pastimes lately. Nothing beats childhood photos!

36. Do Your Makeup

Even if you’re at home alone with nowhere to be, doing your makeup can be a super fun way to pass the time. I love to get glammed up, even if I’m not going anywhere. I enjoy trying new makeup looks so this is always a fun at-home activity for me!

37. Make a Vision Board

I LOVE VISION BOARDS!

Typically I make real, hands-on, physical vision boards, but recently, I made this virtual version of my vision board using Canva and set it as my laptop wallpaper. I really love being able to see my dreams and goals while I’m working on my computer.

38. Rearrange Your Room

This is another thing I use to LOVE to do when I was a kid. Whenever I felt bored at home, I would rearrange my entire room. I loved it – and I still do!

Changing up your furniture in your space actually has benefits too. It keeps things fresh, allows you to be creative, and to experience something new. It feels exciting. Try it out!

39. Put Together Future Outfits

Planning outfits ahead of time is one of my favorite tricks to save time in the mornings. Go through your closet and have a solo fashion show.

Try on a bunch of different outfits and combinations. Take pictures of the ones you like best and save them in a folder on your phone. That way, when you are running behind in the mornings you can open up the folder and pick an outfit FAST. It’s like your own personal Pinterest board.

40. Take a Nap

When all else fails, take a nap.

10 Fun Outdoor Activites for When You’re Bored at Home

41. Play with Chalk

Remember how I said getting in touch with your inner child is a surefire way to overcome boredom? Chalk is no exception.

Grab a piece of chalk and draw whatever your heart desires!

42. Go for a Walk

Going for a walk (or jog) has so many benefits for your physical and mental health. If you are bored at home alone, why not do something that benefits your health, right?

43. Ride a Bike/Scooter/Roller Blade/Etc.

Similar to going for a walk, getting outside and moving is so good for you! Do whatever you enjoy. Think back to what you used to do as a kid and go for that option.

I was a big bike rider so that is my go-to!

44. Make a Campfire

Campfire party of one. That sounds super relaxing to me.

Build a campfire outside in an outdoor firepit. You can even go the extra mile and roast marshmallows and make s’mores! Yum.

45. Draw an Outdoor Scene

I took a drawing class in college and I was assigned a project that required me to draw a ton of outdoor scenes.

Now, when I get bored at home alone, I like to grab my sketchpad and draw something.

Some outdoor drawing ideas:

• tree
• flowers
• backyard landscape
• your feet in the grass
• the sky

46. Make an Obstacle Course

My sister and I used to play “Survivor” at home and set up super elaborate obstacle courses. That’s where this idea comes from.

There are some ideas for how to make your own obstacle course at home online for you to gain inspiration.

47. Support a Local Restaurant

Stuck at home bored and alone? Might as well have some good food.

Stay close and support local businesses by ordering some takeout from a local restaurant. This is a great way to enjoy some time alone at home.

48. Have a Backyard Picnic

Make yourself a picnic-style lunch, grab a picnic blanket, and treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon in the comfort of your own backyard.

49. Connect with a Neighbor

If you’re bored at home alone and REALLY craving human connection, go next door and strike up a conversation with a neighbor. If you already have a relationship, this is easy, but if not, consider baking them a treat and leaving it as a nice surprise.

Neighbors are great to connect with and establish relationships with. After all, you live your lives next to each other every day. You might as well get to know one another!

50. Give Your Car a Wash

Washing your car can actually be really fun, especially if the weather is nice. Pick up some car wash supplies and get to scrubbing. I love how gratifying it feels when your car is freshly clean and shiny.

Not to mention, good car washing takes a while so it’s a great option for killing time when you’re bored at home alone.

What will you do next time you’re bored at home alone?

These 50 ideas of what to do when you’re bored at home alone are perfect for nearly everyone. With so many options, I’m dying to know which one you want to try out first!

Let me know by leaving a comment down below!

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