How to Have Fun

Co-authored by Guy Reichard

Last Updated: November 6, 2022 References Approved

Are you bored or just wanting to cut loose and have some fun? Sometimes the hardest part of having more fun is coming up with an activity, but we've got you covered. Keep reading for all kinds of fun activities for both adults and kids that you can do on your own or with friends.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Having Fun on Your Own

1
Try something new. You may not be having as much fun as you want because you feel like you're doing the same old thing day after day. Try to find a new hobby or passion to spice up your routine, pick up a new skill, and provide something to look forward to on a daily basis.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Desiree Panlilio
Teen Life Coach
Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.} Finding a hobby will also force you to carve out some personal time for yourself and will make you less stressed and more open to having fun.^{[2]
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- Explore your artistic side. Learn how to sketch, paint, or take professional-quality photos. Photography will change the way you view the world and will make your everyday life a bit more fun.
- Try to be a wordsmith. Write a poem, play, or short story and revel in the feeling. You don't have to be a Hemingway or Steinbeck to feel happy and fulfilled.
- Pick up a new solo sport. Try running, swimming, or power yoga. Whatever you do, make sure you commit to doing it at least once a week so you know you can have a great time on your own.
- Learn a new skill. Picking up a new skill is always a lot of fun, whether you learn how to knit, speak Japanese, or fix a car.
2
Get out of your comfort zone. Another way to have fun on your own is to get out of your comfort zone. Instead of doing the same old thing day after day, do something completely unexpected that you never thought you would do, no matter how silly or out-of-character.^{[3]
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- Commune with nature. If you're more of the indoors type, spend an afternoon taking a long walk or even going on a short hike. You'll be surprised by how much fun you'll have.
- Watch a movie that you're convinced you'll hate. No matter how silly it is, you'll be guaranteed to have a good time if it's something completely new.
- Pick up some food of a cuisine that you would normally never try. You'll be surprised by how fun it is to give your taste buds a completely new treat.
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3
Reduce the stress in your life.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Desiree Panlilio
Teen Life Coach
Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.} You won't be able to have fun if you're stressed out over the little things that come your way. If you're busy worrying about when you'll get all of your work done or walking around like a sleep-deprived zombie, then you'll never have any fun. Here's how to reduce the stress in your life and have more fun as a result:^{[5]
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- Relax your mind. Spend some time meditating, doing yoga, performing breathing exercises or taking long walks to think about the day ahead.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Guy Reichard
  Executive Life Coach
  Expert Interview. 30 March 2021.}
- Relax your body.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Desiree Panlilio
  Teen Life Coach
  Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.} Just 30 minutes of exercise a day or a good massage once or twice a week is guaranteed to release tension.^{[8]
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  Research source}
- Make time for fun. No matter how stressed out you may feel, you should plug "fun time" into your schedule every single week. (Every single day is even better. Just making time for fun for a few hours a week can help improve your state of mind enormously.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tara Bradford
  Life & Mindset Coach
  Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.}
- Get enough sleep. Going to bed and waking up around the same time every day is guaranteed to improve your energy levels and make you feel more capable of handling your responsibilities.^{[10]
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4
Think more positively. Being a positive thinker is a great way to put a new spin on the same old thing and to, therefore, open the door to having more fun.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Guy Reichard
Executive Life Coach
Expert Interview. 30 March 2021.} Your whole life will brighten: daily routine, friends, and goals will be more attractive once you learn to embrace the best in every situation. So, stop obsessing over all of the little things that can go wrong and think more positively:^{[12]
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- Recognize everything you're grateful for. Write down all of the things you love about your life and the people in it. This will make you feel more upbeat as you go on with your day.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Guy Reichard
  Executive Life Coach
  Expert Interview. 30 March 2021.}
- Think of the best-case scenario instead of the worst-case scenario. Whenever you catch yourself worrying about the worst thing that can happen, fight your negative thoughts with more powerful positive thoughts.
- Avoid nagging or whining. It's okay to complain once in a while, but if you whine about every little thing that went wrong, you'll be ruining your own fun as well as the fun of everyone around you.
5
Listen to music. Conventional wisdom suggests that music helps reduce stress and kills a bad mood. Listen to music you really like when you feel stressed, then make music a part of your life, a habit.^{[14]
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- Take the stress as a 'cue' which will remind you to bring music into your life.
- Stress(cue) leads to listening to music (routine) which, in turn, creates a better mood.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Having Fun with Others

1
Find a new activity to do with your friends. If you're hanging out with other people and trying new things, you are almost guaranteed to have more fun. Finding good company to try new things with will make you have fun no matter what. Here are some great things to try:
- Join a team sport. Whether you're joining a volleyball league or just playing badminton with two of your friends, you'll be set to have a great time.
- Do a cultural activity. Go to the theatre, a museum, or a concert with your friends and see what a great time you have.
- Throw a theme party. Throwing a theme party with your friends is a great way to have fun, whether it's a costume party or a murder mystery party.
- Check out a new restaurant. Go to a completely new place for the food or for the happy hour specials, and indulge in the great conversations you'll be having with your friends.
- Cook together. Invite over a few friends and create an elaborate meal, or have fun baking new kinds of desserts.
2
Dance. Dancing with your friends is always a good time, no matter how silly or insecure you may feel. You can dance at a house party, at a club with a few close friends, or just dance in the middle of the street with your best friend if the mood strikes. Moving your body and even singing along to the lyrics of a silly song will definitely make you have more fun.
- If you really like dancing, then taking a salsa, cardio hip hop, or another type of dance class will definitely make your life more fun.
3
Hang out with the right people. Part of having fun is hanging out with people who bring more fun and joy to your every day life.^{[15]
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Research source} If you're hanging out with a Negative Nancy or a person who is always sad for no reason, then you'll never be able to have more fun with others. Here's how to hang out with people who will make your life more fun:
- Hang out with people who are spontaneous and adventurous. These people are guaranteed to find fun in the most unlikely places.
- Hang out with people who crack you up. If you're laughing, you'll be able to have fun no matter where you are.
- Hang out with people who are positive. Positive people are excited about life and are guaranteed to have more fun than negative, whiny people.
4
Laugh more. One of the best ways to have fun is simply to laugh more. Other people can help you do this, whether you laugh because of their corny jokes or because you find yourself in the middle of a ridiculous situation with your friends. Here's how to have more fun by laughing more:
- Watch something funny with your friends. Go to the movies to see a comedy or even see a stand-up comedian, and you'll instantly have fun.
- Play a silly board game. Board games are guaranteed to make you laugh when you're hanging out with others.
- Play charades. This old school game is always a riot.
- Don't be afraid to be silly or goofy. When you're hanging out with friends, you can sing into your hairbrush, dress up in the most ridiculous outfits, or dance like a fool. Let go of your inhibitions and you'll be having more fun in no time at all.
5
Go on an adventure. Another way to have fun with others is to go on an adventure. This could mean taking a road trip just a few hours away, booking a vacation, or just going on an adventure to a local park or landmark that you've never seen.
- A road trip is a guaranteed way to have fun. Bring on the candy, bad pop music mix, and a map, and you'll be having fun in no time.
- Go to the beach or the woods. You'll be guaranteed to have fun outdoors if you're with a pack of friends who are up for anything.
- Go on a fun vacation. Go to Vegas, Mexico, or just the next town over just because you feel like it, and enjoy the feeling of being a tourist and acting a little bit outrageous.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Having Fun at Work

1
Build stronger relationships. One of the reasons you may feel like you're not having any fun at work is because you don't enjoy the company of any of the people there. Well, you can change that by making the effort to get to know your colleagues and boss by making an effort to be nicer, asking questions, and enjoying the time you spend with them.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Tara Bradford
Life & Mindset Coach
Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.}
- Take the time to get to know your colleagues by talking about your families and interests.
- Don't be closed off at work. Look available instead of incredibly busy, and more people will want to talk to you. Indulge in the occasional chat session in the break room.
- Step out for lunch with one of your colleagues, and you'll enjoy having a nice conversation and getting to know each other.
- Don't let all of your relationships end with the work day. If you're growing closer with some of your colleagues, invite them out for a drink or coffee after work.
2
Liven up your workspace. You can have more fun at work by trying to make your work space just a bit more fun. Though you can only have so much control over what your work space looks like, there are a few things you can do to make your work environment a bit more appealing.
- Decorate a bit. If you can, put up a fun poster or just bring in a brightly-colored vase with some flowers in it.
- Bring some food. Bake cookies or bring in some chips and guacamole and see how it puts everyone in a more friendly, happy mood.
- Liven up your work area. Hang up a funny calendar and pictures that make you smile in your work space, and you'll be on your way to having more fun at work.
3
Create some after-work excursions. If you want to have fun at work, then you should try to have fun with the people you work with even after the work day is over. You can do this by having a weekly happy hour or a bi-monthly team meal, or just inviting a few people to have dinner after work once in a while.
- If you're throwing a party, invite some of your colleagues. Bring them in to a fun environment.
- You and your colleagues can also volunteer together. You'll be able to have fun together while doing a good deed.
4
Take breaks. If you want to have fun at work, then you can't spend 12 hours a day perched over your desk even if it means you'll be home a bit faster. Taking breaks at least every hour will help your mind and body recharge and will get you feeling more energetic, and therefore having more fun, throughout the day.^{[17]
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- Go out for lunch. Stepping out of the office for lunch, whether you're alone or with a colleague, will give you a brief break that will make you feel happier about getting to work.
- Get a little bit of physical exercise. Even if you're at the office all day, take at least 10-15 minutes to go for a walk, whether you're walking outside or around the office.
- Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator if you can. This will give you a quick physical break.
- Switch tasks from time to time. Switch between filing, making calls, and sending emails and you'll see that each individual task becomes more fun.
5
Play some games while you work. You won't majorly interrupt your productivity if you take the time to play a little game once in a while. Even just playing with silly putty or a slinky while you're at your desk will make your work day a little more fun.^{[18]
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Expert Source

Tara Bradford
Life & Mindset Coach
Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.}
- If you have a more casual office, throwing a Nerf ball around with your colleagues can be a lot of fun.
- If you have your own office, hanging a basketball hoop over your door and shooting a light ball into it from time to time will make your day feel more fun.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Having Fun at School

1
Respect your teachers. You'll have a lot more fun at school if you learn to see your teachers as human beings and to give them the respect and attention that they deserve. If you actually like your teachers, you'll be more excited to go to their classes and will be having more fun at school in no time.
- Be friendly. Take the time to greet your teachers before class and to say hello if you see them in the halls.
- Take the time to get to know them. Without being annoying, have a friendly chat with your teacher at his desk before class once in a while.
- Show interest in the subject matter. Pay attention and ask and answer good questions, and you'll have more of an appreciation for your teacher and the subject he teaches.
2
Have fun with your friends. If you want to have fun at school, then you have to have fun with your friends at the right times. Though you shouldn't be disrupting your learning by goofing off during class, you can make the most of your school experience by having fun with your friends when you can.
- Have fun with your friends in the cafeteria. Enjoy your fun conversations with your friends and look forward to the time you have together. Don't be late to lunch or spend all of your time trying to finish your homework for your next class or you'll be missing valuable connections.
- Chat with your friends when you're at your locker or walking to your next class. Set up a walking schedule that lets you walk to class with a close friend.
- If you come to school early, don't be a zombie and talk to your friends; you'll have fun and wake up from the conversation.
3
Embrace your subjects. Though it may not seem cool to actually like what you're learning, you'll actually benefit from taking an interest in what you're learning and will have a lot of fun in the process. You won't be having fun if you're bored in class, don't understand the material, or just aren't looking forward to anything you'll be learning throughout the day.
- Be a good student. If you do your homework and study for your exams, then you'll be immersed in the subject matter. You'll be much more engaged in class if you actually know what's going on.
- Understand your favorite subjects outside of school. Though you can't love every class, if you find that you really like American History or French, then you'll have more fun if you read up on the subject outside of class.
- Give every subject a chance. Don't decide that you hate math and that you'll always hate math after one bad geometry class; reset your mind after every new teacher and tell yourself that there's at least one cool thing about every subject, no matter how challenging it may have been in the past.
4
Find fun extra-curriculars. Another great way to have fun is school is to participate in extra-curriculars that make your days more fun. You shouldn't join a club or a sport just because you think it'll help you get into college, but because you're genuinely interested in the activity and want to improve yourself while having fun.
- Join a sport. Pick a sport that makes you have to work while having a good time. An extra-curricular sport shouldn't feel like torture.
- Join a club. Pick a club that helps you explore your interests, such as the school newspaper, yearbook, or debate team.
- Get to know the people who participate in your sport or club. A big part of extra-curricular activities is the bond that you will build with the people around you. Make the most of the people around you and build as many connections as you can.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I tell if I'm getting better at enjoying myself?

Tara Bradford
Life & Mindset Coach
Tara Bradford is a Brand Strategist, Life and Mindset Coach, and the Founder of The Bradford Institute, a life and leadership coaching company in New York City. She is also a guest lecturer at Fordham's Gabelli School of Business in the MS Media Management program. With over five years of experience, Tara specializes in personal branding, executive presence, and thought leadership. Tara brings her background in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biochemistry, and Social and Behavioral Sciences into her coaching practice. She received a BS in Nursing from the University of Arizona and studied Biochemistry at the University of New England. She is certified in high-performance coaching, neurolinguistics, hypnotherapy, success coaching, and emotional freedom and TIME techniques. Her podcast titled Handle Everything is dedicated to sharing this message.

Tara Bradford

Life & Mindset Coach

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Try to track it on your phone. Open your notes app every hour or so and just ask yourself, "Am I having fun right now?" Rank it on a scale from 1 to 10 and just track it over time.
Question

Why is it hard for some people to have fun?

Tara Bradford
Life & Mindset Coach
Tara Bradford is a Brand Strategist, Life and Mindset Coach, and the Founder of The Bradford Institute, a life and leadership coaching company in New York City. She is also a guest lecturer at Fordham's Gabelli School of Business in the MS Media Management program. With over five years of experience, Tara specializes in personal branding, executive presence, and thought leadership. Tara brings her background in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biochemistry, and Social and Behavioral Sciences into her coaching practice. She received a BS in Nursing from the University of Arizona and studied Biochemistry at the University of New England. She is certified in high-performance coaching, neurolinguistics, hypnotherapy, success coaching, and emotional freedom and TIME techniques. Her podcast titled Handle Everything is dedicated to sharing this message.

Tara Bradford

Life & Mindset Coach

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It's really easy to get caught up in whatever stressful or annoying task you're engaged in at the moment. There are just so many minor adult things we're all forced to do every day, and the flow of the day can sort of lock you into that space.
Question

How do I have fun when I'm sick?

Community Answer

You can have fun even if you're sick. Think about what relaxing activities you enjoy. These can be watching a movie, playing card games or board games, having a spa day, or having some comfort food.

Warnings

If you feel like you may be suffering from depression, seek help. Talk with a friend, family member or professional counselor.^{[20]
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