Art things to do when your bored

Take control of your boredom! If you're online researching crafts to do when bored, then it's time you found an awesome project to do.

These cool art projects to do at home are some of our favorites. Use items you have in your recycling bin already for some DIY things to do when bored at home. Otherwise, run to your local craft store to make some of these fantastic projects.

Browse our gallery to find a project you think looks amazing. There are great ideas for teenagers and tweens in this collection as well as adults. Have fun and get started with these easy crafts to do when bored!

Join Our 200,000+ Fans And Sign Up to Receive Your FREE eNewsletter!

Bored AND Stressed? Learn how to make this DIY Stress Relief Bottle first. My mom swears by it!

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Westend61

Whether you're away from friends and family members or just happen to have a lot of free time on your hands, it's natural for boredom to hit. After all, you can only browse social media so many times. And the new and popular Netflix offerings in your queue? They eventually end, too. So what can you do when a case of serious cabin fever and fed-up feelings strike? Get creative. Instead of going through your usual stay-at-home activities, like reading a new book, think about going outside your comfort zone by writing a letter to your future self or tackling your first DIY project. That's not all—below, we have a list of (mostly) free things you can do when you find yourself bored to tears, so that you can maintain some semblance of your sanity and keep yourself occupied.

If you're looking for something to pass the time yourself or are the parent or guardian of bored and uninspired kids and teens, we have some great solutions to keep you and them entertained. And who knows? The kids may even love some of the options we've rounded up here, like trying a TikTok dance challenge, facing off during a family game night, or enjoying an indoor picnic. There are more ways than one to help kick boredom to the curb than you might think. So please read on to find enjoyable things to while away those hours.

2 of 40

Sing Your Heart Out

Since you might not be visiting any karaoke bars for the foreseeable future, download Smule instead. This interactive app lets you sing live karaoke with friends around the world, complete with audio effects and visual features.

GET THE APP

3 of 40

Host a Virtual "Netflix Party" with Your Friends

Whether you make it your goal to screen a bunch of Oscar-nominated movies or check off several original flicks on Netflix, one thing's for sure: You won't be bored for long. To invite friends over without leaving the comfort of your own houses, queue up Netflix Party, which lets friends and family stream and chat with each other in real time.

4 of 40

Oprah's The Life You Want™ Planner

Do quotes, advice, and writing exercises straight from Lady O sound good to you? We thought so! This is weekly planner also has ample space for journaling, and features weekly intentions.

5 of 40

Write in Your Journal

To help you feel good in times of stress and anxiety, calm your mind by jotting your feelings down in a quality journal. A Harvard study found putting your thoughts on paper could help you better cope with the emotional fallout of stressful and traumatic events.

SHOP JOURNAL

7 of 40

Tackle Your Spring Cleaning

Whether you start with a series of mini projects or the whole house from top to bottom, a little spring cleaning is a great way to spend time and is something many people find cathartic.

8 of 40

Learn a New Skill on YouTube

Stimulate yourself by learning a new skill. No matter what you want to try—knitting, dancing, or cooking—chances are there's a YouTube video for that.

9 of 40

Toss Expired Makeup

Beauty products—that is, lotions, makeup brushes, soaps, and other cosmetics—expire after anywhere from six months to a few years, based on product and usage. When organizing, follow this rule of thumb: If it looks, smells, or feels weird, toss it. And maybe use this time to invest in a new makeup or cosmetic case to help you stay organized.

10 of 40

Clean Out Pantry Items

There are plenty of pantry staples that last for years on end, but others—like canned goods and spices—do need to be replaced periodically. Do a pass through your pantry and toss anything that's expired. Make a mental note to use anything with looming expiration dates.

11 of 40

Stream a Free Concert from Your Favorite Artist

Even though we're now well into this pandemic, you can still stream a variety of movies and live events that have been put online. Personally, we couldn't get enough of the Adele One Night Only concert special and interview last year, hosted by Lady O herself.

13 of 40

Take Your Book Club Online

One of the easiest ways to fight boredom is to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea. But if you miss your book club, consider hosting an event online. Apps like Zoom make it easy to turn your typical wine and cheese gathering into a digital experience with your friends (and we have plenty of questions to help you keep the conversation going).

14 of 40

Try a YouTube Beauty Tutorial

Beach waves, for example, suit just about every cut—from bobs to long tresses—but it's definitely a skill that takes a while to master. Why not use your free time to perfect the technique?

SHOP CURLING IRON

15 of 40

Give Yourself a Manicure or a Pedicure

16 of 40

Decompress With an Adult Coloring Book

17 of 40

Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Bored, but have a lot on your mind? Write a quick letter to yourself. It'll serve as a special keepsake to offer you unique perspective when you need it later.

SHOP PERSONALIZED STATIONERY

18 of 40

Or Write Someone Else a Letter

Or, for more immediate satisfaction, make someone's day by surprising them with a piece of snail mail.

20 of 40

Try a New Recipe

Dust off those cookbooks (or jump on the internet) and pick out a new-to-you dish or cuisine. Or, if you like to follow a plant-based diet, consider trying Oprah's 30-Day meal plan for a recent challenge she did.

22 of 40

Have a Disney Sing-Along

We dare you to suggest something more fun than belting out Disney's best songs, including classics like "A Whole New World" and favorites like Frozen 2's "Into the Unknown."

GET DISNEY+

23 of 40

Light Your Favorite Candle

Soft pajamas, a comforting meal, your favorite Netflix show, and a scented candle...what more could you possibly need?

24 of 40

Make a Fancy Cocktail

Whether you prefer a Moscow mule or a fall-inspired cocktail like a cranberry orange margarita, it can be fun to play mixologist for the night.

25 of 40

Draw a Warm Bath

You don't have to busy yourself to beat boredom. Instead, embrace the downtime by submerging yourself in a warm essential-oil-infused bubble bath.

26 of 40

Meditate

Research suggests meditation not only helps quell anxiety but also improves focus, reduces stress, and promotes sleep. Not sure where to start? There's a host of meditation apps that can help you zero in on your zen.

27 of 40

Diffuse Stress-Busting Essential Oils

28 of 40

Create New Playlists

Feel like you listen to the same songs over and over again? Now's the time to curate both new favorites and ’90s hits into playlists to enjoy while working out, lounging, or—eventually—partying with friends. In the meantime, though, try services like Spotify that have social components that allow you to make collaborative playlists with friends and other people around the world.

29 of 40

Host a Family Game Night

What's the quickest way to beat boredom? A treasure trove of fun games that'll have the whole family laughing in no time.

SHOP GAMES

30 of 40

Transfer Photos off Your Phone and into an Album

If your camera roll has thousands of pictures and your cloud storage is dangerously low, now's the perfect time to get those gems off your phone and arranged into a personalized photo book that's sure to become a treasured family keepsake.

MAKE A PHOTO BOOK

Jane Burnett Assistant Editor Jane Burnett is an Assistant Editor at Oprah Daily, where she writes a variety of lifestyle content for the editorial team.

What are some good craft ideas?

How can I make my art fun?

What creative can I do at home?

How do you make art not boring?