Are you at your wit’s end, searching for what to do when bored out of your mind? We’ve all been there—boredom hits, and we fall into the endless loop of scrolling through videos and pictures, only to find the boredom growing stronger and leaving us feeling even more listless. It’s time to break this cycle and explore things to do that can truly cure your boredom and reignite your passion for life. We’ve compiled 50 things to do when bored that range from social and entertaining activities to creative and rewarding experiences, all personally tested and proven effective. So, go ahead—dive into this list and find some boredom cures that sparks your interest.
Is Boredom Really just a Negative Emotion?
In fact, feeling bored is not a bad thing—it is a signal from the brain that we need to change the status quo, explore new things, or reassess our lifestyle. Boredom could mean that a better life is waiting for you ahead.
For people in a different city or a foreign land, feeling bored is often not just a simple case of having nothing to do, but rather a longing for the familiar environment and an adjustment to the new surroundings.
This kind of emotion is normal. Don’t let boredom become an obstacle that holds you back; instead, see it as an opportunity to explore new things and discover a new self.
Social Things to Do When Bored
✅ Chat with friends or family
Give a call or send a message to those you care about, and share updates, fun stories, or concerns with each other. Let the warmth of communication dispel the gloom of boredom.
✅ Capture the surroundings with your phone and post
Capture and record things like a small flower on the street, the changing clouds in the sky, your pet’s funny behaviors, or an old bookstore on the corner. This is among the meaningful things to do when bored; ordinary moments can become beautiful memories in the future.
✅ Chat with strangers at random
This seemingly casual interaction might lead you to meet an interesting storyteller, an enthusiastic traveler, or someone with a unique perspective on life.
Relaxing & Entertaining Things to Do When Bored
✅ Experience diverse urban landscapes
Traveling to a city you’ve never been to is a journey of exploration, learning, and growth. Each U.S. city has its own unique charm and characteristics. If you’re on the East Coast, you can head to Boston to experience its rich historical atmosphere, or go to New York, where the hustle and bustle of this city that never sleeps will leave you in awe. If you’re on the West Coast, head north to Seattle to immerse yourself in its coffee culture and vibrant tech scene. If you wonder what to to do when bored with plenty of time on your hands, consider planning a spontaneous city trip.
✅ Watch comedies
✅ Explore new music genres
Whether it’s the rhythmic beats of Afrobeat, the soulful melodies of blues, or the energetic tunes of electronic dance music, stepping out of your musical comfort zone can open up a whole new world. Streaming platforms offer endless playlists and radio stations where you can explore these genres and more.
✅ Watch an online concert or a music festival
You can choose to watch performances by your favorite artists or explore new music genres and bands.
✅ Play classic board games
There are strategic game like chess, a fun and lively game like Monopoly, or a quick and easy game like Tic-Tac-Toe. These timeless things to do when you are bored can bring hours of entertainment, perfect for playing with friends or family.
✅ Buy a lottery ticket
It’s a small investment that can bring a big thrill. Even if the odds are slim, the anticipation and the daydreams it sparks can be fun stuff to do when you’re bored, breaking the monotony and adding a bit of excitement to your day.
✅ Camping at home
Camping at home is an excellent idea if you wonder what to do when you are bored. Transform your living room or backyard into a cozy campsite. Set up a tent, light a lantern, and gather blankets and pillows. You can even prepare a campfire-themed meal and roast marshmallows.
✅ Have philosophical debates with Siri
Ask her thought-provoking questions like “What is the meaning of life?”, “Do you believe in free will?”, or ridiculous questions like “What do you do if you’re bored?”. While Siri’s responses are programmed and not truly philosophical, this can still be a fun way to explore big and strange ideas.
✅ Try the thrilling rides that you’ve been too scared to try
Facing your fears can be incredibly empowering, and the feeling of having conquered something that once seemed daunting can boost your confidence. Moreover, it can be really interesting trying these things to do when bored.
✅ Try out a strange one-time hairstyle
You could try a dramatic updo with lots of curls and pins, or maybe a sleek, futuristic look with sharp angles and a high shine. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even experiment with temporary hair colors—think bright pinks, electric blues, or even glittery finishes. And if you don’t like it, no worries! It’s just for a day.
✅ Recite lines from your favorite TV shows or movies
Try to recite the line along with the character, paying attention to the tone, rhythm, and emotion behind the words. You can record yourself and compare it to the original performance to see how closely you match the character’s delivery. This cure of boredom can be particularly enjoyable if you do it with friends or family.
✅ Play "Truth or Dare" with friends
Playing “Truth or Dare” with friends is a classic and entertaining way to bond and laugh. This game has been a staple of social gatherings to cure boredom because it combines the thrill of taking risks with the intimacy of sharing personal stories.
✅ Try on clothes at the intimidatingly expensive boutiques
Going to the high-end, intimidatingly expensive boutique to try on clothes is an experience that can make you feel like a star, even if you don’t plan on making a purchase.
Creative & Rewarding Things to Do When Bored
✅ Create a handmade poster
Choose a theme that interests you. Gather some colorful pens, markers, and perhaps some pictures or clippings to make it visually appealing.
✅ Study zodiac signs
Explore your astrological characteristics and those around you. It’s fascinating stuff to do when bored to see how certain traits align with what you know about yourself and your friends.
✅ Practice tongue twisters
Try repeating playful phrases as quickly as you can without stumbling, which is a fun way to challenge your speech and pronunciation skills. It’s a source of amusement as you attempt to master the tricky words and sounds.
✅ Write a letter to your future self
Write a letter that can be a heartfelt reflection of your current thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. Seal it in an envelope and set a specific date to revisit it. When you finally open it, you’ll gain a unique perspective on how your thoughts and feelings have evolved over time.
✅ Write a farewell letter
For what to do when you’re bored, write a farewell letter. Though it sounds morbid, it’s a powerful way to reflect. Imagine you have just a few days left, and jot down what you’d say to loved ones, your regrets, and your gratitude. This exercise can clarify what truly matters and might even inspire lifestyle changes.
✅ Use a mug to bake a lava chocolate cake
Mix the ingredients in a microwave-safe mug, cook it in the microwave in just a few minutes, and you’ll have a warm, gooey dessert ready to enjoy.
✅ Create sculptures with aluminum foil
Start by shaping the foil into various forms, such as animals, abstract shapes, or small figures. Once you’re satisfied with the shapes, you can use spray paint to give them a vibrant finish.
✅ Create scented bookmarks
Start by selecting a piece of cardstock or thick paper for your bookmark. You can then add a few drops of essential oils to the paper, allowing the scent to soak in. For an extra touch, decorate the bookmark with drawings, stickers, or even dried flowers.
✅ Transform glass bottles into a vase
Wrap a glass bottle with jute rope or other material to transform it into a vase. Clean the glass bottle and then wrap the rope around it, securing it with glue as you go. You can further embellish it with paint, beads, or even small shells.
✅ Create wax seals with expired lipstick
Melt the lipstick in a container, pour it onto a flat surface or parchment paper, and then press a stamp into the wax before it hardens. Once set, you’ll have a decorative wax seal for letters, packages, or journals.
✅ Attach expression stickers to your furniture
Imagine your chair with a big smile or your table with a pair of googly eyes. These simple additions can turn ordinary pieces of furniture into charming characters that bring a smile to your face every time you see them.
✅ Host an alternative fashion show at home
Mix and match items from your wardrobe to create avant-garde looks. Invite friends or family to be your audience, or document the event with photos or a video. This stuff to do when you’re bored allows you to express your creativity and breaks the monotony effectively.
✅ Build your own white noise library
Collect various sounds to build your own white noise library. Start by recording different ambient sounds around your home or in nature, such as the hum of a fan, the rustling of leaves, or the gentle patter of rain. You can also mix these sounds together to create unique blends that suit your mood or environment.
✅ Walk around your home with your eyes closed
This stuff to do when you are bored can enhance your spatial awareness and other non-visual senses. As you navigate through your home, rely on touch, sound, and even smell to identify objects and spaces.
✅ Face swap with artworks
You can choose a favorite painting and swap the faces with yourself, those of your friends, or family. It’s a fun way to engage with art and can lead to some hilarious results that you can share with others.
✅ Experiment with unusual combinations of jams and cheeses
Select a variety of jams, such as strawberry, apricot, or even more exotic options like fig or lavender. Pair them with creamy brie or tangy cheddar. This thing to do when bored may introduce you to new and delightful flavors.
✅ Take photos of cloud shapes and draw on them
Each cloud can be seen as a blank slate, waiting to be transformed into something magical. Whether you turn a fluffy cloud into a whimsical animal, a majestic mountain, or an abstract masterpiece, the process is relaxing and inspiring.
✅ Create new cocktail recipes
Creating new cocktail recipes is all about mixing flavors, textures, and colors to craft something unique and delightful. Start by choosing a base spirit—vodka, gin, rum, or whiskey. Adding fresh juices, herbs, spices, or flowers can elevate a cocktail from ordinary to extraordinary. Don’t forget to play with the garnishes, too.
✅ Collect flowers and leaves to make specimens
If you wonder how to cure boredom, plants can heal the human spirit. When you engage more of your senses in interacting with them, this benefit becomes even more pronounced. Bring plants you’ve picked up back home and start making specimens—it feels like having an in-depth conversation with the plants, which is a perfect cure for boredom.
✅ Create floral arrangements
Creating your own floral arrangements with wildflowers is a meditative and delightful activity. You don’t need to learn any specific techniques; just being spontaneous can allow you to appreciate the beauty of nature in a personal and meaningful way.
✅ Create floral arrangements
Learning a new skill when you’re bored is the best way to turn negative emotions into positive fuel. Whether it’s learning a new language, mastering a new software tool, or picking up cooking skills, anything that brings you joy is awesome stuff to do when you’re bored inside.
Lifestyle Improving Things to Do When Bored
✅ Repair broken items
Practical things to do when you’re bored include repairing items within your capability, such as a loose doorknob, a torn curtain, or a burnt-out light bulb. It saves money, gives you a sense of achievement, and helps you build confidence and self-reliance.
✅ Organize photos on your phone
Mark or back up meaningful photos to the cloud. During this process, you can reminisce about the good old days, and even if your phone is lost or damaged, these precious memories won’t be lost.
✅ Go to the mall or supermarket and buy only one item
This simple rule can turn your shopping experience into a thoughtful decision-making process, allowing you to weigh the importance of each potential purchase. It’s a great way to practice mindfulness, avoid unnecessary spending, and learn to make choices.
✅ Declutter your home
Go through your belongings and discard anything you no longer need or use, or consider donating items to charity or recycling them to give them a new life. This not only frees up physical space but also brings mental clarity and a sense of calm.
✅ Declutter your Facebook friend list
Go through your friends and remove those you haven’t interacted with in a long time or who bring stress and negativity into your life. The process can be surprisingly satisfying, which helps you maintain a more positive online environment and allows you to focus your time and energy on the people who truly matter.
✅ Plan your tasks for the next day
Planning your tasks for the next day is an effective cure for boredom, shifting your focus from the current monotony to future goals, providing something to look forward to, and breaking the cycle of boredom.
✅ Do ten push-ups
Doing ten push-ups is good stuff to do when bored, giving yourself a quick energy boost. After completing those ten push-ups, you might find that your mind feels clearer and more focused. It’s a small but powerful way to remind yourself that you can take control of your time and energy.
✅ Go for a massage
Massages are one of the best boredom treatments and help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce stress levels. By the end of the session, you’ll find that your boredom has been replaced by a sense of calm and well-being.
✅ Focus on body care
Withdraw from the indulgence of boredom and focus on your body’s needs. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating routine: take a warm bath with Epsom salts or essential oils, then cleanse, mask, and moisturize your face, and use a deep conditioning treatment for your hair. This routine is one of the most healing things to do when you’re bored.
✅ Brew a cup of favorite tea or coffee and savor it slowly
You can choose a beverage you love, such as refreshing green tea or rich black tea, or pick a mellow coffee.
✅ Care for your plants
Water them, trim the leaves, and fertilize them. When you’re bored, this simple act of nurturing can bring a sense of calm and accomplishment, as you watch your green friends thrive.
✅ Bask in the sun
Find a cozy spot by the window or on the balcony, or sit on a park bench or by the lakeside, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and feel the warmth of the sun penetrating your skin. The sunlight not only boosts your mood but also helps your body synthesize vitamin D, which strengthens your immune system.
✅ Grow vegetables at home
From sowing to harvesting, observing each stage of plant growth and recording their changes is a pleasure. Whether it’s a balcony, windowsill, or a corner indoors, as long as there is suitable light and space, it can become your mini vegetable garden.
Conclusion
The journey through 50 things for what to do when bored has come to an end, and you’ve already taken the first step in curing your boredom by diving into this list. Now, it’s time to put those newly discovered boredom remedies into action. The key to overcoming boredom lies in embracing the activities that truly resonate with you—those are the things to do when bored that can truly make a difference.
FAQ
How to be unbored at school?
Boredom treatments at school are all about finding ways to make learning more interesting and meaningful. By participating in class actively, setting clear goals, and using creative study techniques, you can transform boring lessons into engaging experiences. Additionally, off-campus student housing pulls you out of a monotonous environment and provides personalized study space, greater scheduling flexibility, community interaction, and enhanced motivation.
Why do I get bored so easily?
Feeling bored frequently is a common human experience that may stem from various factors. These include a need for novelty—which could suggest that you are more creative—low attention span, lack of purpose, underlying mental health issues, or even brain fatigue caused by overstimulation.
What can I do when I'm bored at home?
Things to do when bored at home include tidying up your room—the greatest cure for boredom, reading books, writing a journal, watching your favorite movies or TV shows, playing puzzle games, chatting with friends and family, or cooking and baking delicious treats.
