100+ ideas on what to do when bored

In some situations you can find yourself overwhelmed by boredom, without having the slightest idea what you could do to pass the time. Here is a list of suggestions on what to do when you get bored.

What to do in the open air

One of the best ways to fight boredom is to get some fresh air on your way out of the house. Here are some suggestions of things to do outside the house so as not to get bored.

1. Go out for a jog or walk with no specific direction
2. Take the bike for a nice ride alone or with some friends
3. Take a nice hike in the mountains or a trip to the beach
4. Go discover and try a new restaurant
5. Go out for an ice cream or a good coffee
6. Go have fun at the carnival as if you were 8 years old
7. Go to a concert or music festival
8. Visit a museum (admission is often free in some cities) or a temporary exhibition
9. Organize a game with friends (basketball, five-a-side football, tennis, badminton …)
10. Get in the car and drive to a place you’ve never been
11. Retrieve the gym bag and go to work out!
12. Go bowling
13. Grab your swimsuit and caps and dive in for a nice swim in the pool
14. Go shopping at the supermarket
15. Create your own garden (if you are lucky enough to have a garden). Or grow on your terrace at home
16. Go to the cinema or the theater
17. Go see the sunrise or sunset
18. Learn to play a musical instrument
19. Go play mini golf
20. Experience the thrill of climbing
21. Tidy up your garage after putting off business for years
22. Go fishing or learn how to do it
23. Attend a sporting event or follow your favorite team

What to do when you are bored at home

Some of the things that can be done outdoors are also achievable at home. If maybe the climate is not on your side, however, these could be ideas to cheer you up without going too far.

1. Read yourself a good book or make a list of upcoming books to read
2. Draw (or learn how to do it by following some tutorials)
3. Exercise indoors without harassing the neighbors. Squats, push-ups, pull-ups, abs
4. Write a short story, short story, or poem
5. Take a nap or take a power nap
6. Learn some juggling moves
7. Take a cold shower (in summer) or a relaxing hot bath (in winter)
8. Listen to your favorite music (or discover new one at a friend’s suggestion)
9. Learn to make origami
10. Plan a party or dinner with friends
11. Solve crosswords, sudokus or logic puzzles
12. Stretch
13. Try your hand at a coloring book for adults
14. Watch a TV series or a good documentary
15. Browse your old photo albums (paper or digital)
16. Make a dessert or try a new recipe in the kitchen
17. Meditate
18. Write an email to yourself of the future
19. Look for interesting quotes or sayings
20. Play a video game, perhaps inviting a friend to your home
21. Drink water. Dehydration makes you sluggish and listless
22. Prepare yourself a champion’s snack
23. Take care of your pets, play or do an activity with them
24. If you are single, install an app for dating or new acquaintances
25. Write a postcard or letter to a friend or family member
26. Update your personal diary
27. Learn to do some card tricks
28. Make a to-do list (maybe for when you’re bored 
29. Start blogging
30. Learn sign language
31. Plan and organize your next trip
32. Write an email to a person you admire or inspire you (who knows who will answer you)
33. Find an interesting podcast or audiobook to listen to
34. Organize your library or record collection
35. Become a wine and / or beer expert, knowing how to evaluate the best culinary combinations. Maybe by signing up for a sommelier course
36. Make your favorite cocktail
37. Learn something new. There are thousands of sites, even free ones, for online learning
38. Sign up for a martial arts class
39. Call an old friend or relative you haven’t heard from in a while
40. Change your home decor by optimizing the space available
41. Learn how to get a massage (perhaps using your partner as a guinea pig)
42. Create your website
43. Write a review on a recently purchased product, or a recently visited place
44. Learn the rules of an unfamiliar sport (rugby, curling, baseball …)
45. Try painting something, maybe your favorite painting
46. Look for an idea for the next (or first) tattoo to make
47. Learn a new language. There are great apps to help you. (Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise)
48. Make a short film (today even a smartphone is enough to be a director)
49. Organize your closet by selling or giving away old clothes
50. Clean the house, even where you have never done it before
51. Prepare your food for the next week
52. Write a list of your future goals, places to visit, books to read
53. Watch your favorite music videos on YouTube
54. Retrieve an old school book and study as if you had a class assignment
55. Learn to tie a tie or bow tie
56. Edit a photo of yourself or create a photo montage with Photoshop
57. Do the washing machine (always better to have clean clothes available)
58. Buy a lego set of impressive difficulty and get to work
59. Update your resume or LinkedIn profile
60. Look for a freelance or part-time job on a specialized site
61. Learn some magic tricks
62. Create a financial plan or organize your expenses by taking note
63. Search for a place to volunteer
64. Browse your favorite website
65. Find and sign up for a course that interests you
66. Clean up your email or social media accounts
67. Start a personal DIY project
68. Search for events that occurred on the day of your birth, or those of your friends / relatives
69. Look for a way to start an online business and generate extra income
70. Learn a strategy game like chess, go, Chinese checkers
71. Clean your mobile of unused apps and unnecessary messages
72. Practice or learn yoga
73. Scan photos from old photo albums to always have them at hand online
74. Watch a YouTube tutorial on a topic that interests you
75. Get rid of old items you own and haven’t used in a long time by donating them to charity
76. Give yourself a gift on Amazon or add products to your wish list
77. Watch a classic movie or one of your favorites
78. Call some friends over to play a table game or a game of poker
79. Write a love letter for your partner
80. Build your bucket list
81. Make a puzzle
82. Learn to dance

Here is a well-fed list of ideas on what to do when bored at home and activities to do outdoors. Do you have any suggestions about it? If you are bored, a comment on this post is sure to put you off your indolence!