50 Fun Things to Do at Home Right Now

It may have been nice to sit back, relax, and binge-watch TV for the first couple of weeks of quarantine, but now the boredom is really starting to seep in. If you've done every puzzle, organized every cabinet, and baked enough bread to feed a family of five, then this list is for you. We've compiled a list of 50 fun things to do at home that will keep you entertained. And who knows? By the time you burn through all these boredom busters, those stay-at-home orders may have lifted! And for more ways to stay busy, here are 17 Things to Do by Yourself While You're Social Distancing.

1 | Make candles.

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Quarantine can be a stressful time—this calls for the ambiance and calming scents of candles. Candles can be expensive, and they're hard to buy online since you can't test the scents ahead of time. If you've burned through your batch of store-bought candles, why not make your own? Follow an online tutorial, and in no time you'll have your own unique scent to fill your home with. And for more ways to make the most of social distancing, check out these 15 Useful Skills You Can Learn While You Quarantine at Home.

2 | Become an expert at painting your nails.

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Once nail salons shut down, women everywhere regretted putting off getting a fresh manicure and pedicure. If you were able to get your gel nail polish off, you're probably looking for a new coat of paint. Painting your nails may never have been your strong suit, but now is the best time to practice—because if you mess up, no one will see it. If you're already a pro at doing a basic manicure, try stepping up your game with an added design.

3 | Make a macrame plant holder.

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This activity lets you create something that will brighten up your home in just 15 minutes with only three materials. This tutorial for making a macrame plant holder also has more advanced options for dip-dyeing or embroidering your product if you want to take your hanging plant holder to the next level. Macrame plant holders are quite pricey to purchase, so this little project will save you money while giving you a sense of pride in your creation.

4 | Do an at-home facial.

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Many people are experiencing skin breakouts due to added stress, not to mention less sun. Take some time to do a little self-care and give yourself a spa-level facial. If you don't already have a facial scrub, you can easily make your own with ingredients you have lying around the house. When you're done, you'll wonder why you haven't been doing this every week of quarantine.

5 | Make playlists for every mood.

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People are experiencing a variety of emotions while social distancing, and each one deserves its own playlist. Set aside some time to create the perfect playlist for all of your quarantine moods, from rainy Monday blues to upbeat Friday optimism. Your future self will thank you for making your life feel like a movie with impeccable background music. And if you're struggling to keep your kids busy, try these 17 Old-Fashioned Activities Kids Today Will Love.

6 | Play an old-school video game.

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A little bit of nostalgia can go a long way in clearing the quarantine blues. Dust off your old video games on the shelf or find newer versions of your favorites online. While Animal Crossing might be all the rage right now, let's not forget about the classics like The Sims, Mario Kart, and Roller Coaster Tycoon. Hours will fly by in your virtual world, and you'll completely forget you're in lockdown.

7 | Start scrapbooking.

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Scrapbooking is a nice way to remember all the great times you had out in the world pre-quarantine. For now, the memories will have to suffice, so its time to preserve them. Scrapbooking is an easy activity to master because it doesn't have any hard and fast rules. When scrapbooking, you just use your creative eye to make all the decisions. However, if you are seeking a bit of guidance, there are plenty of scrapbooking tutorials online.

8 | Have an at-home film festival.

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If you've binged all the Netflix shows on your list and you're tired of re-watching old movies, try something new and have your own film festival from the comfort of your home. You could go for indie films, horror films, or past Oscar winners you missed. Make some snacks and watch the movies over the course of a weekend. If you're struggling to select titles, you can even revisit film festival lineups from previous years. And for more movie ideas, check out these 18 2020 Movies Streaming Right Now and Where to Find Them.

9 | Have a wine and cheese night.

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Even if it's a wine and cheese night for one, we've never seen a problem a charcuterie board—and a generous pour of Cabernet—couldn't solve at least for the moment. Putting together a great selection of cheeses and pairing it with just the right bottle will give you all the thrill of hosting with far less cleanup. Get your quarantine mates to join in, and it'll be the highlight of your lockdown.

10 | Go camping at home.

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We're all in need of a little escape, but since we're not allowed to go anywhere, we'll have to create an escape at home. If you're lucky enough to have a backyard, pitch a tent, have a bonfire for s'mores (or make them in the microwave), and sleep under the stars. If you don't have a yard, clear your living room, build a fort tent, grab your favorite snacks, and camp out indoors. And for more activities that are fun for the whole family, try these 9 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids During Quarantine.

11 | Make a family tree.

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Expensive DNA tests like 23andme have spiked in popularity over the past year, but since you have the time right now, you could go old school and trace your own family tree. Sites like Ancestry have a free trial to help get you started tracing your lineage. It's a really meaningful time to reach out to family abroad, get to know them, learn about their history, and see how they are faring amid the pandemic. Doing this will help you meet new people from the safety of your home—and you might just learn something super interesting about your family's past.

12 | Start teletherapy.

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If you've been putting off starting therapy because you haven't had the time, this is the perfect opportunity to give teletherapy a try. Many therapists are offering online sessions. See if you can find one who accepts your insurance and get started. Because this is such a stressful time, attending therapy could be extremely beneficial for your mood and mindset while you are in quarantine.

13 | Play some brain-teaser games.

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There are plenty of games to help you keep your mind sharp while you're sitting around. Apps like Lumosity have tons of games targeted to enhance memory and problem-solving skills. If you do enough brain teasers, you may come out of quarantine smarter than when you began it.

14 | Start your side hustle.

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We all have a secret idea or two that we think is totally genius. Whether it's starting a blog, designing workout clothes, or making ice cream, now is the time to give that creative impulse a bit of your time and energy. Flesh out your idea and plug any holes it may have so that when the time is right, you can get your side hustle up and running.

15 | Go for a walk in a new neighborhood.

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Sure, you've circled your block a dozen times by now, but have you ventured into new territory yet? Let yourself wander in a new direction, or—if you have a car—drive to a different neighborhood for your daily socially distanced walk. You'll be glad to take in some fresh sights and sounds.

16 | Do a hair mask.

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It could be a while before we see the salon chair again. If you don't trust yourself to cut your own hair, the best way to keep it healthy is by applying a hair mask. There are a lot of easy at-home recipes for hair masks that will help restore your dead ends until you can see your stylist again.

17 | Attend a Zoom karaoke party.

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If you're usually too shy to get up in front of a crowd and belt out some tunes, now is your time to shine. Get a group together and let your worries melt away as you riff to your favorite artist—or laugh at your friend's sorry attempt. You could make it a weekly meeting or let it be a one-night only event.

18 | Dance it out.

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Whether you follow along with a virtual dance class or just blast some music and dance in front of your mirror, this activity is a foolproof mood booster. If you don't love traditional workouts, dancing is a great way to get your heart rate up and sweat it out. So shake it off and start feeling the benefits

19 | Practice your photography skills.

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If your iPhone photography abilities are subpar, this is a great time to up your game. Practice taking pictures of nature on your walks, the stillness of your home, or even selfies. Play around with different editing apps for a polished finished product. When the quarantine is over, you'll be ready to take pictures of the new world awaiting us.

20 | Watch online concerts.

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With live concerts on hold for the foreseeable future, many musicians have taken to the internet to share their talents with their fans. There have been larger-scale concerts with a bunch of artists coming together like One World: Together At Home, The iHeart Living Room Concert for America, and The Disney Family Singalong. National Public Radio's Tiny Desk series has transitioned to posting mini-concerts of your favorite artists at home, and Verizon's #PayItForwardLive series presents a concert from a different artist each week. If you prefer more classical tunes, you could check out major city orchestras like the Seattle Symphony and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which are offering free broadcasts via their YouTube and Facebook pages.

21 | Foster a pet.

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If you're seeking some companionship, fostering a pet is the perfect solution. Fostering a dog or cat during this pandemic lets you do something helpful, gives you a reason to go out for walks, and provides you with a cuddly friend to help lift your spirits.

22 | Take an online class.

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If your brain is begging for a break from endless COVID-19 news and Hulu, maybe it's time to engage in some learning. All eight Ivy League schools are offering hundreds of online courses for free. Class Central founder Dhawal Shah compiled a list of over 450 classes that are available, which is a great place to start.

23 | Tie-dye old clothing.

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Tie-dye seems to be all the rage again these days, which has also made it pretty pricey on some sites. Skip the online shopping and opt to tie-dye your own clothes at home. If you're getting sick of the sweatpants or T-shirt you've been wearing for the better part of quarantine, give them a second life with a pop of psychedelic color. Tie-dying can be done with a kit or with all-natural ingredients you may already have at home. Things might get messy, but when all is said and done, you'll have a groovy upcycled shirt to show for it.

24 | Do an online workout class.

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If you're missing your gym or workout classes—and you're growing tired of running—an online workout class is a great alternative. Many fitness establishments are offering free online classes. Home-cycling giant Peloton is offering new users a 90-day trial on their app, Planet Fitness is offering "Home Work-Ins" streamed live at 7 p.m. ET daily on their Facebook page, and Gold's Gym is offering free access to the Gold's Amp digital personal trainer app through the end of May, with more than 600 audio and video workouts to keep your daily workouts fresh. If you're looking for more specialized classes, you can also find ballet, yoga, boxing, and, yes, retro Jane Fonda workouts online.

25 | Learn a new language.

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Just because trips abroad might be on hold for a while doesn't mean you can't experience some culture at home. Get a head start on learning a new language, so that when you can travel again, you'll easily be able to converse with locals. You can take a virtual class, have a friend tutor you, teach yourself, or download an app to get started.

26 | Start a blog.

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If you have a way with words or something you want to get off your chest, a blog could be a great medium for you. There are plenty of blog platforms to choose from, many of which are free to use. You can pick a theme to stick to, or just muse on whatever comes to you daily. Whether millions read it or just your mom, a blog might be the perfect way to express your creativity during this time.

27 | Watch an opera.

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Although the New York Metropolitan Opera is closed for the season, they are still entertaining audiences. Every day they have an encore presentation from the company's Live in HD series. Each day's presentation is available to stream for 23 hours until a new opera is put in its place. You can view the stream in a browser, or through their on-demand streaming app.

28 | Host a Chopped challenge via video chat.

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With grocery stores running low on certain items, you're probably looking to get creative with the strange and seemingly incompatible ingredients you have in your kitchen. Why not host a Chopped challenge for your friends? If you're not familiar with the long-running Food Network show, it follows chefs as they prepare three-course meals using obscure ingredients selected by the show. To compete virtually, video chat with a friend or two, show them your pantry and fridge, and let them select three random items you must include in your meal. Then do the same for them. While you throw your meals together, catch up on your day. And when your dishes are done, rate each other's plates on appearance—then dig in.

29 | Take a virtual museum tour.

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You no longer need to pay the price of admission for the world's most famous museums. Places like the Musée d'Orsay of Paris and the National History Museum of London are offering people virtual access to roam their halls. With this technology, you can curl up in a comfy spot and study some of history's most stunning artwork and incredible advancements from your laptop or phone.

30 | Keep a journal.

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Journals are time capsules that capture your innermost thoughts during a specific time in your life—like, for example, this unparalleled time in history, which may be something you want to preserve so you can look back on it years from now. You can set a schedule that suits you: Journaling in the morning is a great grounding technique, whereas journaling before bed lets you wind down and reflect. If you're stuck, you can scan the internet for some creative journal prompts to get you started.

31 | Learn to play guitar.

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If you have a guitar at home, check out some online lessons. If you never got around to learning how to play the instrument—or you want to reach expert level—this is the perfect time to start that journey. The Fender site is offering a free three-month online subscription which includes classes for electric and acoustic guitars, as well as ukulele.

32 | Organize a virtual book club.

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Ready to tackle that stack of books you've been meaning to read? Starting a virtual book club will help keep you accountable for a certain amount of pages each week while also giving you a scheduled time to look forward to chatting with friends. Take a vote with your friends to decide what your inaugural book will be, then set a comfortable pace (i.e. reading two chapters or 50 pages a week). You'll be pleasantly surprised by how many amazing conversations flow when you're discussing a juicy read.

33 | Propagate your plants.

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If you already have house plants, you could multiply those greens by propagating them. Propagating is fairly simple and could reap a beautiful brand new plant. Do some research on how to propagate the type of plant you have before committing to the task. And if you have green onions from the grocery store, you could even regrow a new onion plant.

34 | Listen to podcasts.

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If you're looking to give your eyes a break from screens, listening to podcasts can be a great activity to mix into your daily routine. You can learn about what you missed while daydreaming in history class, fall in love with love, or celebrate the messiness of being human. Throw on a podcast while you're getting dressed, tidying your kitchen, or going for a walk to keep your mind engaged.

35 | Write letters to family and friends.

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It's more important than ever to remind family and friends how much they mean to you. Since you can't meet them for a drink or swing by their place for dinner, take some time to write a letter from the heart and send it their way. The letter will brighten their day—and you might even get one in return.

36 | Paint and sip.

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If you're looking to connect to your creative side while enjoying an adult beverage, you should have a paint and sip night. Order a canvas and some paint for a brand new creation, or refurbish something in your home. You can paint freehand or follow along with a virtual paiting class. Don't forget the glass of wine!

37 | Start a garden.

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Not everyone is lucky enough to find themselves in quarantine with a patch of grass, but if you do have a yard, you should make the most of it. Take this time to master your gardening skills. Read up on which plants thrive in your climate and how to tend to them. Soon enough you'll have some beautiful blooms or nutritious produce growing in your care.

38 | Participate in a virtual writing circle.

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We could all use a healthy way to process our emotions during this time, and there is no better outlet than writing. Gather a group of friends via video conference to swap stories weekly. If you're seeking some guidance, get into a rotation where each person has a chance to select the week's prompt. Be flexible with what the group creates, from poems to songs to spoken word to short stories. If you're working on a structured project and want a more serious setting, you can also join an existing online community of aspiring writers.

39 | Watch a Broadway show.

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If you miss live theater, we have the next best thing. Monthly magazine and theater news site Playbill has compiled a list of recorded Broadway shows and where you can watch them. Now you can stream Rent, Newsies, Into the Woods, Company, and many more from the comfort of your home.

40 | Start a podcast.

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Do you have something interesting to say or a topic you'd like to discuss? If so, then it might be time for you to start your own podcast. All you need in the beginning is a computer with a USB microphone and internet access to get the ball rolling. Once you're ready to record you can decide which platform is best for your show, or opt to simply send it to friends and family.

41 | Learn to meditate.

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Doing nothing can be challenging for people who don't like to sit still, but if you have a habit of getting restless, now is the perfect time to experiment with meditation. The practice can help you manage your anxieties and let go of negative energy that doesn't benefit you. If you find yourself struggling, you can check out one of many guided meditation apps or take an online meditation course for a little extra guidance.

42 | Make your own music.

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If you've grown tired of listening to the same playlists on repeat while working from home, make your own music to switch up your sounds. Moog Music put out a free music-making app so that anyone can try their hand at creating a hit song. If you're old school and have a Mac, you could also use Garage Band to create your bop.

43 | Have a Netflix Party.

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While we may not be able to go to the movie theater with friends any time soon, we can Netflix Party in the meantime. Netflix released a new platform that lets you sync your streaming with friends, so you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows together. There's even a group chat feature that allows you to discuss what's on the screen, just like you would do if you were physically together.

44 | Bake or cook something special.

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After weeks of making your go-to home-cooked classics and supporting some of your favorite local takeout spots, you might find yourself growing tired of the repetition. This is an ideal moment to scan the internet for some new recipes or create your own to test out.

45 | Master the online game arena.

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For a fun way to engage with friends without sitting on another drawn-out Zoom call, challenge them to an online version of one of your favorite games. Some popular games like Cards Against Humanity and Catan have launched free virtual game rooms where you can play with friends in real-time.

46 | Switch over your wardrobe for spring.

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If you've checked off all your spring cleaning tasks, it's time to move onto your closet. Soon enough the weather will be warm, and you won't need all of your sweaters in your drawers. Pack away your bulky sweaters and down jackets for next winter. And while you're at it, you can channel Marie Kondo and set aside clothes you want to donate, so you're ready to start anew this spring.

47 | Take up knitting.

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For an old-fashioned but useful hobby, look no further than knitting. The repetitive nature of knitting is both soothing and mindless, which makes it the perfect quarantine companion. There are plenty of resources for all levels, from tutorials on how to nail the essential knit stitch to mixing up your design colors and patterns. By the end of quarantine you'll have a brand new blanket and maybe even a trove of gifts for your loved ones.

48 | Organize a puzzle swap.

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In a strange twist of fate, puzzles have become the hottest item on the market. If you're finding all the puzzles you want to buy are sold out online, start a swap with friends. If you each have one puzzle, start a rotation so that everyone has the opportunity to put together an exciting new puzzle each week or so.

49 | Learn to cross stitch.

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Cross stitching is another great quarantine hobby to pick up: There are so many different design options, you'll never run out of ideas. You can watch some online tutorials or order a beginner's kit and follow their directions. Once you have enough cross stitches to decorate your home, you can start making some for family and friends.

50 | Make a vision board.

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We may not know when social distancing will end, but we have already started envisioning what we'll be doing when we're finally free to eat at restaurants and visit with friends. Since we're not able to embark on those adventures just yet, the next best thing is to represent them creatively on a vision board. Use this time to set goals for the next six months, one year, five years—however far you want to look in the future—and put them down on paper. Grab a stack of old magazines, a pair of scissors, glue, and a piece of cardboard or poster board, then get to work manifesting the life you want post-quarantine.