How to Have Fun if You're Home Alone

Last Updated: March 10, 2023

Being stuck at home alone can seem boring, but you have tons of options for entertainment. We’ve searched near and far to get you the best advice on how to enjoy yourself. The first thing you should try is entertaining yourself with movies, hobbies, books and more. If you want to fill your time at home with an activity that’s a little more engaging, consider getting creative and taking on an artistic project, cooking up something yummy in the kitchen, or getting productive by cleaning up around the house or knocking out your homework.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Entertaining Yourself

1
Watch a movie. See if you can find a movie that's airing on television by flipping through the channel guide. You can also go online and see if you can find movies on sites like Netflix or rent a movie through an online rental service.
- To best reduce boredom, pick a genre that's exciting. Watch something like an action or horror movie full of suspense, as this will be sure to engage your attention.
2
Get back into an old hobby. Do you have any hobbies you haven't done in a while? Think about what you've done in the past in your spare time. Maybe there's something like knitting or painting that you used to be into, but do not do much anymore. If you're bored at home, this is a good time to get back into a forgotten hobby.^{[1]
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- For example, if you used to knit quite a bit, dig out your old knitting supplies and start a project.
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3
Read a book. Dig through your bookshelf and find a book. Pick something that will be engaging right away. A long, heavy work of fiction, for example, may take a bit to get into. Instead, go for a book of short stories that will get to the action quickly.^{[2]
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- If you can't find a book you like in your home, consult an electronic device like a Kindle or iPad. See if you can purchase a book online to read.
4
Find brainteasers online. Type "brainteasers" into a search engine and see if you can find anything to engage you. Things like riddles, crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, and optical illusions can be a fun way to pass the time.^{[3]
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- If you get the local newspaper, there may be a section that includes brainteasers.
5
Play video games. If you have a game console, use it. Playing video games can be a great way to pass the time if you're stuck inside alone. Pick a game with a lot of action you can get into quickly.^{[4]
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- If your game console allows you to hook up to the Internet, you may be able to meet other players online. This can relieve any boredom you're feeling at being stuck inside alone.
6
Listen to music. Make a playlist for yourself using something like iTunes or Pandora. Title it something like "Boredom Playlist" and pick fun, engaging, and upbeat songs. This will make you feel energized and excited, possibly reducing your boredom.^{[5]
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- Do not be afraid to dance in your living room. After all, you're home alone. No one is there to see you get a little silly.
7
Watch funny videos. Get on YouTube or a similar video sharing site. Type things like "funny videos" into the search engine. You can watch YouTube personalities known for their humor, clips from stand up comedians or prank videos. There are thousands of funny videos online that can keep you entertained if you're bored.
- Consult friends or text them asking for suggestions. Post something on a social media account like, "Bored home alone. Send me funny videos!"

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Getting Creative

1
Make videos for your friends. Go through your computer's hard drive and find old videos and pictures you've assembled over the years. Put them all together in a video, using any video software your computer provides, and set it to a fun song.^{[6]
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- When you're done, you can email the video to friends or burn it on DVDs.
- Be careful about uploading your video online, however. Only do so if you're completely comfortable with the content being visible to a private audience. You should also make sure you're not violating copyright laws if you used a song. Type a song into a search engine to see if it's copyright protected. Most popular music songs will be.
2
Create a photo collage on your wall. Go through your room and find any old photos you have. Go through magazines and clip out interesting images, like quirky ads or pretty pictures. Tape everything up on your wall in a fun photo collage.^{[7]
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- In addition to using pictures, use words. Try clipping an inspiring word, like "Dream," out of a magazine. Find a poem or quote you like online, print it out, and pin it up on your wall.
3
Take some pictures. If you have a camera, even just your phone's camera, use it to take some fun photographs. Take still-life pictures of interesting objects in your home. Take photos of your pets. If you're able to go outside, photograph things in your neighborhood or backyard.
- You can also take silly photographs. Use the camera on your computer, for example, to take a series of goofy pictures of yourself and post the album on Facebook with a title like, "Bored at Home."
4
Do some coloring. See if you have any old coloring books lying around. Even if you feel too old to color, it can be a fun way to pass the time. You can also make your own drawings and then color them in, or add colorful designs to notebooks and binders for school.
- They do make coloring books for adults, usually designed to reduce stress. See if you can find any of these types of books lying around.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Cooking and Baking

1
Cook yourself a nice meal. If you're able to use the kitchen, make yourself something nice to eat. See what ingredients you have and figure out a dish you can make using those ingredients. It can be fun to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen.^{[8]
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- If you're unsure of what to make, there are many websites where you can type in the ingredients you have and they will suggest a dish. Try something like Super Cook or Recipe Master.
2
Make homemade hot chocolate. This can be great if you're bored alone because of bad weather. You can find homemade hot chocolate recipes online, which are usually made with milk and cocoa powder, chocolate chips, or baking chocolate. If you have the right ingredients lying around, think about making yourself a soothing glass of homemade cocoa.^{[9]
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3
Bake something. If you have basic baking ingredients, such as sugar and flour, you should be able to bake something. Even something simple, like basic sugar cookies, can be a fun project when you're home alone. See what ingredients you have on hand and make a dish using them.
- If you have cookbooks, find recipes using them. You can also find recipes online.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Being Productive

1
Organize something. While organizing may not sound like fun, if you're bored alone a project can be entertaining. If you're unsure what to do with yourself, find something to organize. You can organize a drawer in your home, your school supplies, your desk, or your closet.^{[10]
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- To make organizing more fun, get creative. For example, make fun and decorative labels for the different drawers and bins in your closet.
2
Catch up on homework. If you're bored, do something productive. Sometimes, having a chore to do makes downtime seem more fun. If you're behind on homework, force yourself to catch up. When you're done, you may find you're eager to spend time just doing nothing.^{[11]
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3
Redecorate your room. Think about how you would want to change your room. Maybe you're tired of the color scheme or the decorations you have out. Spend the day reorganizing your furniture, changing the decorations, and more. If you love decorating, this can be a fun activity. It will also give you a feeling of accomplishment.
- You can search online for decorating ideas.
4
Do some cleaning. If anything is messy, spend some time cleaning it. While it may not sound entertaining, if you play your favorite music while doing the dishes, it can actually be fun. You can also try to turn cleaning into a game. See how much laundry you can fold in 10 minutes and then try to beat your record, for example.^{[12]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can you not feel lonely when you are home alone?

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP

Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Answer

Being alone can be difficult but it can also be a really healing time. Finding something that you enjoy doing and that brings you happiness can make a world of difference between a lonely night at home or a relaxing time rejuvenating your inner self. Make sure to do diverse activities. Isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression all go hand-in-hand. It’s important to disrupt the cycle of negativity when thinking about being alone in order to appreciate the time you have to regroup. Make it a choice to be alone, something to look forward to. Create a list of the things that you enjoy doing and rate them on a scale of 1 to 10. Incorporate the things that make you feel good (rated an 8-10 on your scale) into your alone time.
Question

How do you go somewhere if you don't have a car?

Community Answer

You have lots of options. Bikes are often the easiest, but you can take the bus, walk, call a taxi or ride service like Uber or Lyft, or call friends and ask for a ride.

Warnings

Do not answer the door to strangers.

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If a stranger calls you, don't let them know your parents or other guardians aren't home.

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Don't do anything that could put your life in danger. This may include a massive party, playing with fire, etc.

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