Are you feeling a little bored and looking for some inspiration for new things to try?
Look no further!
This list of 101 fun and exciting activities is bound to have something for everyone.
10 Best Things To Do Today
There are so many fun things you can do on a day-to-day basis. Here are the top 10 best things you can do on any given day.
#1 Send someone a postcard
When was the last time you sent or received a piece of snail mail? While it’s not the most efficient means of communication, it is pretty fun to open your mailbox and have a letter addressed to you.
Pick up a cute postcard and send it to a friend or family living far away.
#2 Look through an old photo album
This is especially fun with older relatives. The next time you’re at your parent’s or grandparent’s house, ask if you can pull out the photo albums and look through them together. Ask questions about the people in the pictures and enjoy any stories.
#3 Go stargazing
Grab a couple of blankets, find somewhere with low light pollution (anywhere further away from houses and street lamps should work), and watch the stars. Try to identify a few constellations, or just enjoy seeing how beautiful they are.
If you need help identifying constellations, try using the Sky Walk 2 app, which is available for iOS or Android.
#4 Watch the sunrise
There’s something amazingly peaceful about a sunrise. The colors are soft, and the birds begin to sing. Enjoy a sunrise either alone or with a loved one.
Watching the sunset can also be calming and peaceful if you’re not much of a morning person.
Pro tip: Feeling artistic? Grab a paintbrush and canvas, and channel your inner Bob Ross.
#5 Curate a playlist for a loved one
Music streaming platforms have made it so easy to curate playlists, so why not create one with a specific someone in mind?
You could make a playlist inspired by a road trip you went on with your best friend, for your significant other filled with music that reminds you of them, or one for your parents that features all of the classic rock music they listened to when you were growing up.
It’s a great way to let a friend or loved one know you thought of them! And it’s fun to listen to music thinking about who would enjoy that song.
#6 Try gratitude journaling
Even in life’s most challenging seasons, there’s so much to be grateful for. A gratitude journal can help you pay attention to what you enjoy in the given season of life.
Here are a few prompts to get you started:
- What are 5 things you’re grateful for today?
- Think of something kind someone did for you recently, and write a paragraph about how it made you feel.
- Who do you feel comfortable around and enjoy spending time with?
- What is your favorite food and why?
- Write about a time when you were the happiest you’ve ever been.
#7 Start a book, poetry, or music club
If you enjoy reading or listening to music, ask a few friends if they want to join you and start a club. Take turns choosing albums to listen to or books to read. Then, get together to discuss them.
Want to go niche? Here are some creative ideas for clubs you can start:
- Harry Potter fan club
- Love Poem society
- Travel book club
- Tea & music that makes you think
- Worldly religions book club
#8 Make a collection of quotes
Are there any quotes that inspire you or help you feel a little better when you’re having a hard day? Create a note on your phone with favorite quotes, and keep adding to it as you find more.
Here’s a list of awesome quotes to get you started: 120 Positive Daily Affirmations for Happiness (w/ Science!)
You can also note all the funny things you and your friends say. From time to time, read through the quotes with your friends and laugh at the silly memories.
#9 Create a secret handshake
Secret handshakes can be a fun way to have something special with your sibling, friend, or partner. The next time you’re a little bored, think of a handshake only the two of you know.
Get inspired by the secret handshake from The Parent Trap!
#10 Make popsicles
Look in your fridge and see if you have any fruit or veggies that you need to use up. Blend them into a smoothie, then put it in a popsicle mold to snack on later.
If you don’t have a popsicle mold, divide the smoothie into small cups and add a layer of plastic wrap over the top. Then stick a popsicle stick through the plastic wrap and set the glass in the freezer.
Fun Activities to Do With Your Friends
If you’re looking for fun things to do with your friends, try one of these ideas.
#11 Have a taste-test night
Invite your friends over to taste-test a specific category of items. For example, everyone could bring a type of cheese or their favorite cereal.
This can be a fun way to try things you might not otherwise pick out for yourself.
#12 Plan a clothes swap
If you feel like your wardrobe is getting boring, ask a few friends if they want to have a clothes swap. This can be a great way to clean out items you don’t wear anymore and get a few new pieces you’ll enjoy wearing.
#13 Throw a game night
Game nights can be a great way to laugh and get to know others better. If you’re unsure what game to play, try one of these 30 Best Games to Play With Every Kind of Friend.
#14 Read a book, taking turns for different characters
Invite a few friends over for a book reading party. You could choose a play with clearly divided parts or designate someone as the narrator and split up the characters.
Pajamas and character voices are encouraged!
#15 Dress up in your fanciest clothes just for fun
Is there a prom dress or tux sitting in the back of your closet? Create an excuse to wear it—even if it is getting frozen yogurt or going to Taco Bell.
#16 Decorate a frame and fill it with a picture of you and your friends
Order a few wooden frames and check around your house for arts and crafts supplies you can use to decorate them. Remember to fill the frame with a cute picture.
#17 Have a “PowerPoint night”
Ask each of your friends to prepare a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation highlighting something they’re passionate about. It could be a hobby, a piece of their culture, or a historical event they think is interesting. Then, get together and share your PowerPoint presentations.
#18 Make a time capsule of memories
Commemorate this moment in your friendship with a little time capsule. Collect a few important momentos and notes, and use them to fill a small box and bury it. Make a treasure map so your future selves can find it!
#19 Go camping in the yard
One of the best parts of camping is spending quality time with loved ones. You can recreate that even if you can’t drive to a campsite. Turn your phones on airplane mode (that way, you can still take pictures!) and enjoy playing board games and talking about your lives.
#20 Ask the barista at your favorite coffee shop to make you a surprise drink
It can be easy to get stuck in the same routines. Switch it up by getting a surprise drink at your favorite coffee shop.
#21 Go down a YouTube memory lane
Take turns queueing up YouTube videos that your younger-self thought was funny.
It’s an avocado.. thanks.. vine.
Who remembers the sweet toddler who was visibly disappointed by unwrapping an avocado on Christmas morning but still said thank you?
Looking for more funny YouTube videos? Check out these 30 Funny YouTube Videos to Watch During Your Lunch Break.
#22 Find and break a random world record
It won’t be official unless you go through the correct process, but trying to break a world record can be a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Fun fact: Did you know that there’s a cat named Bibi that holds the world record for “Most dice stacked on a cat’s paw”? He balanced 10 dice.
#23 Roast some marshmallows
Try roasting a marshmallow over a candle or gas burner if you can’t build a fire.
#24 Go to a farm and pick your own fruit
This is a great way to get fresh produce and support a local farmer.
#25 Make a hot chocolate bar
Ask everyone to bring their favorite hot chocolate toppings—peppermint sticks, marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon… Try them all out while catching up on life.
What Should I Do Today With My Boyfriend?
Are you and your +1 starting to fall into a rut of doing the same activities, going to the same restaurants, and having the same conversations repeatedly?
Here are some ideas for how to shake things up and do something different!
#26 Go for a “choose your own adventure” walk
Take turns deciding if you should turn right, left, or keep going straight. This is a fun way to explore and find new parts of your town or city.
#27 Thrift outfits for one another
Before heading into the thrift store, decide on a budget or theme. Then play dress-up and see who found the better fit!
#28 Learn a new card game
Spend an evening learning to play a new game with your partner. You might see a competitive side that they haven’t shown before.
#29 Go for a bike ride
Riding a bike can be a fun way to experience your surroundings in a new way. At the end of the ride, ask your partner if they noticed something new they’d never seen before.
#30 Play “restaurant roulette”
Do you get stuck going to the same restaurants over and over again? It’s easy to settle into a routine, but switching things up can be a fun way to try new things.
Agree on three different cuisines. Next, you will write down a restaurant option for each cuisine on a piece of paper. Fold them up and put them in a hat. Then, take turns drawing pieces of paper out of the hat.
Whatever is written on the final piece of paper is where you’ll go for dinner.
If you don’t have paper on you, use this spinning wheel to decide where you’re eating next!
#31 Volunteer at a charity together
Is there something you and your significant other are passionate about? Maybe you want to help kids in your community with homework or volunteer to help keep hiking trails clean.
Here is a roundup of various sites you can use to find volunteer opportunities.
#32 Take turns to answer deep questions
Here are some questions to get you started:
- What makes you the happiest?
- What family member do you admire the most and why?
- How would others describe you, and how would you describe yourself?
- What are you reading right now?
- What was the worst text you accidentally sent?
Once you’ve asked all of those, check out these 170 Deep Conversation Starters for Couples.
#33 Look through childhood photos
Pictures can help you remember funny stories and quirks you had as a kid. Looking through picture albums together can be a fun way to tell stories and get a look into your partner’s life.
#34 Go to an arcade
They’re fun, and you can be competitive with one another!
#35 Pack a picnic
If the weather is nice, a picnic allows you to enjoy the sunshine and do something special together. You can also set up a picnic in your backyard if you don’t want to travel too far with the food.
#36 Be a tourist in your own city
What are the classic things people do when they visit your city? You could go to a museum you’ve never visited before or go on a popular hike that you haven’t made time for yet.
#37 Have breakfast for dinner
Pancakes and eggs don’t have to be eaten only in the morning. Cook up a whole spread with fresh fruit, eggs, and hot tea.
What Should I Do Today by Myself?
Want to stay at home and avoid going out?
Here are some low-energy but fun things you can do.
#38 Have a pamper night
Staying at home is the perfect time to throw on a facemask, run a bath, and light a nicely scented candle.
#39 Make a collage
Turn a pile of old magazines into a fun craft project by making a collage.
#40 Discover a new musical artist
Go to your streaming platform of choice, whether that’s Spotify, Apple Music, or Pandora, and see if you can find a new artist you enjoy. Listening to their music will help support them, and you can come out of quarantine with new music recommendations for all your friends.
#41 Find ten items to donate
Cleaning out your closet can feel overwhelming. But removing a few things can help your space feel clearer and more inviting!
Open your closet and see if you can find ten items to donate. These could be pieces of clothing you no longer enjoy wearing or books that you’ve had for years and never read.
Put them in a pile to take to your local donation center later.
#42 Learn about something you’ve always wanted to know more about
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to write using the Korean alphabet or have been interested in studying the history of South Africa. Spend an hour watching YouTube videos or reading articles and see what you can learn!
#43 Watch a TED Talk
At 18 minutes or less, TED Talks are a great way to hear from experts in their fields.
Not sure where to start? Here is our list of the top 10 TED Talks of all time.
#44 Dream up your next holiday
Do you have a travel bucket list? Travel requires so much planning, so now might be a good time to plan your next getaway.
#45 Order someone a “just because” coffee through UberEats or Doordash
Tell your friend that you’re thinking of them by sending a surprise coffee or treat. “Just because” doesn’t have to be a special reason. It’s simply because you thought of them and wanted to brighten their day.
#46 Try out a new hairdo
Try a new hairstyle if you’re hanging out at home alone. If something doesn’t look good, you don’t have to worry about seeing anyone. But if you love it, you’ve already tried it and can recreate it tomorrow.
#47 Create a wishlist
Even if your birthday is a while away, you can start compiling ideas of what you’d like. Then, the next time someone asks you what you want for your birthday, you can give them a good answer.
#49 Draw in a coloring book
Coloring books can be a great way to relax and be creative and don’t typically require as much energy as other artistic endeavors.
Try out the app Colorful if you use iOS or Happy Color on Android.
#50 Learn about a current news event
Keeping up-to-date on news events can be hard in the midst of life. Take the time in quarantine to dive deep into one current event news story that is interesting to you.
#51 Do a crossword or Sudoku puzzle
You can decide if you prefer numbers or words!
You can find a daily crossword puzzle here or find free Sudoku puzzles here.
#52 Curl up on the couch and have a movie marathon
When you aren’t feeling well, keeping it chill can sometimes be the best way to spend an evening. Don’t feel bad if you want to stay curled up on the couch watching a few of your favorite movies.
What Should I Do With My Toddler Today?
Are you looking for a few interesting ways to switch up what you and your little one do daily? These suggestions span from science experiments to artsy projects. Give them a try and see what you and your toddler enjoy the most.
#52 Make playdough
You probably have all the ingredients to make playdough in your cupboard.
Ingredients: 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup of salt, ½ cup of warm water, and food coloring
Instructions: Stir the dry ingredients together before adding the warm water and food coloring. Combine until it forms a dough!
#53 Jump in puddles or run through sprinklers
If it’s rainy and overcast, brighten the day by putting on your galoshes and jumping in some puddles. On the other hand, if it’s sunny and warm, turn on the sprinklers and splash in the water.
#54 Build a pillow fort
This can be a good activity for the colder months when you can’t spend the whole day outside.
#55 Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
Use chalk to make art in the driveway or sidewalk that washes off as soon as it rains.
#56 Make a mini volcano
When combined, baking soda and vinegar make a fun fizzle and pop. Here’s how to turn it into a fun science experiment with your toddler:
Step 1: Put some drops of food coloring on the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
Step 2: Cover the food coloring with baking soda, making it look like a white field.
Step 3: Slowly drip vinegar over the baking soda and watch the colors emerge as the baking soda fizzles and pops!
#57 Make a snack necklace
Give your toddler a bowl of Cheerios and a piece of string. Challenge them to string as many Cheerios on the string as possible—eating as they go.
#58 Make hand-print art
Are there any grandparent birthdays coming up? The perfect excuse to make a few cards that they are sure to treasure.
#59 Build a fairy house
Don’t worry; this isn’t a serious building project. Collect various pebbles, twigs, pretty leaves, and moss. Then, use these at the base of a tree to build a little fairy house.
Here’s an example of what your fairy house could look like!
Source: House of Rowan
#60 Make homemade ice cream
Lots of baking or cooking projects will be too advanced for a toddler, but ice cream can be a fun activity. Check out this article — it doesn’t require any fancy equipment, and there are loads of different flavor ideas!
Remember, the more sprinkles, the better.
#61 Go for a treasure hunt
Challenge your toddler to find pretty flowers, rocks, or branches. Then, help them learn the names of the things they’ve picked up. If you don’t know, that’s OK, you can learn together!
#62 Make sock puppets
If you have missing socks, turn the lonely sock into a puppet. Use markers to draw a face, slip them on your hand, and use it to tell stories.
Artistic Activities to Try for Fun
Whether you consider yourself an artist or not, creativity can be a fun outlet and form of expression. Try not to compare yourself to others. Instead, simply enjoy the act of making things.
#63 Learn lettering
Lettering is a pretty inexpensive artistic endeavor—all you need is a brush pen and some paper. Once you know the basics of lettering, it can come in handy for everything from writing on birthday cards to making customized place settings.
If you’re interested in getting started, here is a video that teaches you the basics:
How To: Calligraphy & Hand Lettering for Beginners! Tutorial + Tips!
#64 Style a piece of clothing in a new way
You can quickly get stuck wearing the same tops with the same jeans over and over. Challenge yourself to find a new way to wear a piece of clothing.
Get inspired by this video, where Aimee Song shows viewers 9 different ways to style the same white t-shirt.
9 Ways To Wear A White T-Shirt – Style By Number | Aimee Song
#65 Experiment with different types of paper airplanes
Try folding new styles of paper airplanes and see which one flies the best.
#66 Draw or paint your favorite song
How would you visually describe your favorite song? Try capturing the emotion of the piece with paint or colored pencils.
#67 Choreograph a dance
Listen to a song a few times by thinking of how you would express the emotions of the piece with movement. Then, try your hand at choreographing!
#68 Press flowers
Go for a walk and pick a handful of wildflowers along the way. Then, find a heavy book and some parchment paper. Set the flowers between two pages of the book with parchment paper on either side. Wait roughly ten days for your flowers to dry.
#69 Draw a comic strip
Start by writing out a simple storyline and divide it into segments you can illustrate. Start with something short and keep going if you enjoy it!
#70 Visit an art gallery
Most big cities have several small art galleries and one or two larger galleries you can visit. Check and see if they have a day when entry is free!
#71 DIY decorations for an upcoming holiday
Whether cutting out paper snowflakes or painting hard-boiled eggs, getting crafty for the holidays can be a fun way to personalize your decorations.
#72 Take film photos
Pick up a disposable camera and carry it around for a week or two, capturing snapshots of your life on film.
#73 Make greeting cards
If you are feeling extra creative, use that spurt of energy to make some greeting cards. Then, the next time a birthday or holiday rolls around, you can give people hand-made cards.
#74 Learn to beatbox
There’s more to it than “boots and cats and boots and cats.”
Here’s a 2-minute video that will teach you the basics of beatboxing!
How To Beatbox Basics in 1 Minute
#75 Join NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
If you enjoy writing, consider preparing for and joining NaNoWriMo.
During November, participants challenge themselves to write a little over 1,600 words per day. By the end of the month, you will have a 50,000-word novel.
It takes a lot of prep work, though. So go ahead and start planning your storyline and outline today!
#76 Try origami
You can start learning origami with any piece of paper around the house. Once you get better, get some nice paper to fold into beautiful artistic creations.
#77 Practice an instrument
If you’re new to music, try picking up a kazoo or tambourine and playing along with some of your favorite artists. If you play an instrument like the guitar or piano, take time to learn a new song.
Fun Things to Do at School
While a lot of your time at school is spent in class or studying, it’s good to take a break from time to time! Here are a few fun ways to keep your school days interesting.
#78 Plan a snack swap
Snacks (and food in general) help you get a peek into people’s lives. Organize a snack swap with your friends where everyone brings something that they love snacking on to share.
#79 Play a conversation game
While sitting at your desk waiting for class to start, you probably don’t have much time to play a board game. But you can lean over to your classmate and ask them to share two truths and a lie!
Or try one of these other 20 conversation games to help you get to know people better and have a fun time.
#80 Perfect your signature
If you don’t already have a set signature, use the time between classes to practice.
Here’s a video to help you get started designing your signature!
#81 Take a brain break
Sometimes one of the most productive things you can do now is to give yourself a break. Try doing a few stretches or moving around to help get your blood flowing.
This 10 minute Yoga stretch is a good starting point:
#82 Make a shared Google Doc to study with your friends
Collaborate with your friends to make studying easier. You can easily share notes and memorization tips with a collaborative Google Doc.
#83 Send encourage-notes
Write something nice on a sticky note, put it on someone’s locker, or stick it to their backpack when they aren’t looking. It’s nice to know that this random act of kindness might brighten their day.
#84 Decorate your notebooks
If you take notes by hand, personalize the front of your notebooks with doodles, stickers, or glue on a cool collage.
#85 People watch
Observing the people around you can be interesting and insightful. See if you can pick up on people’s emotions—use this facial expression guide to help you get started.
Productive Things to Do Today
Productivity can feel great! Sometimes you wake up with loads of energy but don’t know what to channel that into. Here are some ideas of productive (but still fun) things you can do.
#86 Revisit your New Year’s resolutions
Have you stuck with the resolutions you made on January 1st? If not, now is the perfect time to get back on the train—or re-evaluate if they’re still resolutions you want to keep up.
#87 Fill out your planner
It can be super easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and not write things down. The next time you want to be productive, pull out your planner and write down everything going on. This can help your mind feel clearer and more prepared for the coming days.
#88 Try a new hiking trail
Are you looking for a fun, outdoorsy activity to do? Look up hikes near you and see if you can find one you’ve never been on before.
If you’re having difficulty finding hikes, try using All Trails. It lets you filter hikes based on what you’re looking for (such as waterfalls, loop trails, dog-friendly, length, difficulty, and other specifications), and you can read comments from other hikers to let you know if the trail is still open.
#89 Meal prep with the music blasting or a great podcast
Heading into the week with your lunches already prepped can be a great feeling. And meal prepping doesn’t have to be a boring chore! Turn on your favorite music or a great podcast, and start cooking.
#90 Go for a walk-and-talk
Think of someone you haven’t talked to in a while and text them asking if they’re free to call and catch up while you go for a 30-minute walk. If they are, you can hear an update on their life and share about yourself while also getting some movement into your day.
#91 Print some photos
Do you have pictures of your friends or family you’ve wanted to print out so you can see them daily? Go to your local Walgreens or Target to get them printed.
#92 Curl up with that book you’ve wanted to read
Is there a book on your shelf you’ve wanted to read for a while but haven’t gotten around to? Now’s a perfect time.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to read, check out our article on 43 Best Books for Self-Improvement to Boost Your Confidence.
#93 Start an indoor herb garden
Fresh herbs can transform the flavors of your meals.
#94 Learn about your love language
Knowing your love language can help you understand what to ask for from partners, family members, friends, and even the workplace.
#95 Plan a date
Whether you are in a long-term relationship, are newly dating someone, or want to treat your friend to a fun day around town, planning a date can be a fun way to get creative and try new things.
#96 Make an email signature
If you don’t already have one, adding an official email signature to the end of your correspondence can increase credibility and help you direct people to respond how you would like for them to.
#97 Bake a new dessert
Look up a new recipe and give it a try.
#98 Watch a movie in your second language
Movies can be a great way to supplement language classes. The actors and actresses speak at full speed, and you can hear various slang terms and practice understanding different accents. The next time you want to chill and be productive, pop some popcorn and find a movie in the language you’ve been studying.
#99 Get a library card
Your local library can be a great resource. Take advantage of it by signing up for a free library card. With most libraries, this will give you access not only to borrow books but also to various audiobook files.
#100 Try a new type of workout
Whether you have been interested in trying a Zumba class or want to watch a YouTube yoga video, try something you haven’t done before. You might find your new favorite way to exercise.
#101 Clean your white shoes or shine your dress shoes
If your white tennis shoes are starting to get a few stains, a free day is a perfect opportunity to clean them. Or, you can get ready for the week ahead by shining your dress shoes.
#102 Freeze extra coffee in an ice cube tray
Then, when you want to make iced coffee, it won’t get watered down from the ice.
How to Decide What to Do
Getting caught in the same patterns and habits can be so easy. Sometimes it’s fun to switch things up!
Before you decide what you want to do, take a moment to think about what you feel you need. Maybe you have energy and want to try something new, or perhaps you feel a little burnt out and need some rest.
Here are a few major categories that most things you can try will fall into:
- Discover: Think of places you’ve wanted to go but haven’t had the chance to yet. Maybe there’s a restaurant or hike you’ve been curious to check out. Or, perhaps you have the time and capacity to plan something a little bigger. If that’s the case, try renting kayaks, bungee jumping, or taking a weekend trip to explore a city you’ve never been to.
- Rest: It’s important to rest well and recover emotionally, mentally, and physically. If you’re looking for restful things to do, try journaling, watching the stars, or curling up on the couch with a good book.
- Learn: Is there something you’ve been interested in for a while? Take the time to research a historical event, brush up on a language, or try a new recipe.
- Create: Even if you don’t consider yourself artistic, creating things can help you express yourself in a new way. Creativity comes in so many different shapes and forms. You can try thrifting and styling a new outfit, painting a picture, or redecorating your room.
- Connect: Feeling heard and understood can be one of the most meaningful experiences. Try connecting with others, whether calling your grandparents, being kind to a stranger, or going to the nail salon with a friend.
If you’re looking for more ideas about what to do, why not make some new friends? Here are 50 Ways You Can Meet People in ANY New City.
