What to Do When You're Bored at Night: 20 Fun Things to Do

Co-authored by Desiree Panlilio and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: September 29, 2022 References

Whether you can't sleep or you've just got time on your hands, being bored at night stinks! Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to enjoy the evening without breaking the bank or relying on screens. We've put together a great list of activities you can do on your own or with friends. So what are you waiting for? Check out these fun ideas and have a blast tonight.

1

Enjoy the night sky.

Step outside to stargaze if the weather's nice. You don't have to have a fancy telescope or binoculars—just spread out a blanket and see what you can see. If it's only the moon, that's fine, too!
- If it's not dark enough yet for stargazing, spread out a blanket and watch the sunset.
- If you've got a backyard and the weather's nice, consider pitching a tent and spending the night outside.

2

Practice self-care.

Throw yourself a spa night at home to help you relax. If you're too tense to sleep, it can be hard to unwind. Soak in a soothing bath to help your muscles relax.^{[1]
X
Research source} Then, do a facial, a manicure, or a pedicure—take your pick!
- As you pamper yourself, try to relax your mind. Practice mindful breathing or meditation.
- Put aside distractions and read one of your favorite books. Or, do a calming activity like brewing a pot of tea.

3

Find a game for one.

Do a game or puzzle if you can't seem to switch your brain off. We've all been there—lying in bed with every thought keeping you awake. Instead of fighting it, get up and do a jigsaw puzzle. If cards are more your thing, play a game of solitaire.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Crossword puzzles or sudoku are also great games to play at night!
- If you don't have cards or puzzles handy, check out online games you can play alone. Just about every computer has basic games that you can play to kill some time.

4

Get crafty.

Work on a project to keep your mind busy. If you love to craft things, pick up your crochet or knitting needles. Maybe you like to sew, scrapbook, or press flowers. The evening is a great time to work on crafts since you can do it alone or with a few friends.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For instance, if you're having friends spend the night and you need activities to do, get the supplies for making your own candles or soap, or watch a video on how to do calligraphy and then try your hand at it.
- If you've got art skills, draw, paint, or sketch something.

5

Spend time with your pet.

Cuddle or groom your pet if you've got a furry friend. Chilling with your pet can help you relax, and your pet will love all the attention. If it's safe, take your dog for a nighttime walk. You could also spend time teaching your pet new tricks or giving them a much-needed bath—don't forget to reward them with treats!^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Sometimes, pets just want your attention! If your pet's in a playful mood, play along—get out their toys and have fun. If they're calmer, just sit close to them and unwind as you cuddle them.
- If you don't have a furry pet but you love animals, check out zoo or wildlife cameras that are online. You can see what the animals are up to in real-time.

6

Exercise.

Find an outlet for the energy that's keeping you awake. If it's safe in your area, go for a jog or head to the gym for a workout. If you can't leave your home, that's totally fine! Try yoga or pilates, follow along with an online workout, or just turn on some music and dance like no one's watching.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For something a little more playful, try jumping rope or playing a game of Twister.

7

Explore your love of music.

Practice an instrument or just put on music and sing along. Soothing, gentle music can help you relax and unwind after a long day. Create your own or put on a laid-back playlist to help pass the time. If you're not sure what you're in the mood to listen to, text a friend and ask for some suggestions, or make a random playlist with all the music you've got.
- If you're not into music, put on a podcast instead. You're sure to find one on a subject or story that interests you.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

8

Act like a kid again.

Do something completely fun or silly to make the time fly. When was the last time you built a fort out of cushions?^{[7]
X
Research source} Whether you're 13 or 31, let loose and do something totally fun. Make yourself a candy or dessert pizza, whip up hot chocolate with tons of marshmallows, or play dress-up for instance.
- You could also reread the books you loved as a kid or play a goofy game like the floor is lava.

9

Decorate your clothes.

Freshen up your wardrobe to create new outfit options. You've probably got a small pile of clothes that need a little TLC. Mend any pieces that have snags, holes, or unfashionable rips. Then, update some of your clothes' looks. For a fun project, add rhinestones to a jacket or dye an old sweatshirt.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you've got old jeans lying around, take some time to distress a few pairs.

10

Do a home decorating project.

Change up your space so it feels new or fresh. Maybe you've been meaning to hang pictures or paint a piece of furniture in your room—now's a good time to do it! Hang shelves, change light fixtures, or swap out soft furnishings like cushions or blankets.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Pick flowers and arrange a bouquet for your room, hang photos and create a photo wall, or hang a few strands of twinkle lights.

11

Clean or organize your home.

Catch up on some cleaning projects you've been putting off. It may not be the most fun way to spend an evening, but you'll feel better and enjoy your space if it looks clean and tidy. As you clean, get rid of things you no longer need or find storage solutions for stuff that you may have scattered around.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- For instance, sort your shoes into a shoe cubby, organize all the books on your bookshelves, or clean out all the products under your bathroom sink.
- If your wardrobe is bursting, go through your clothes, too. Set aside anything you no longer wear or fit into. Have a box nearby for clothes that you want to donate or sell.

12

Make money.

Work on a budget or come up with things to sell. Bonus points if you already sorted through your belongings and found lots of stuff to get rid of! List clothes, books, and anything you don't want to keep on an online auction or marketplace. This is a simple way to make money.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Check out your finances and come up with ways to save money.
- If you're business-minded, plan a business you'd like to start. Think of friends who may want to work with you.
- If you enjoy listing and selling things online, check out the free goods listings for items you can repair and flip.

13

Learn about nature.

Research animals or climate change. Now's a great time to read up on your favorite animals—find out where they live, what they eat, and how they grow. If you're more into weather, read about climate change and write down a list of actions you can take to help the environment.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you've got the supplies, research plants you can start growing inside or re-pot plants you've got around your home.
- Step outside with a flashlight and see what insects are drawn to the light. Can you name them all?

14

Write.

Jot down your thoughts or work on a creative story. If you enjoy writing, craft a sonnet, play, or short story. If you're not sure where to begin, just get out paper and start writing down ideas. You can write down any thoughts that pop into your head or journal about how the day went.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Sometimes, it can be tricky to start writing, but remind yourself that this is just for you! Don't pressure yourself into trying to write something that's perfect—just enjoy the process.

15

Make plans for the future.

Put your thoughts down on paper and make some goals. If you can't turn off your brain, grab a piece of paper and write down what's on your mind. Jot down life goals, challenges for yourself, or volunteer activities you want to do for instance. You don't have to write in complete sentences—it's totally fine to just write down anything that pops in your head.
- For example, you might start writing about problems at school before switching to what you want to do the next day or places you want to visit.
- You can also use all this free time to write down things you're grateful for. Then, you can reread your gratitude list whenever you're bored or feel like something's missing.

16

Learn something new.

Use your interests as a jumping point for trying a new activity. Start a hobby that you've always wanted to do! You could watch online videos to learn a new skill like baking or gardening. Research your family tree or download a language learning program.
- There are so many ways to learn new skills! Check out some of the courses that WikiHow offers like origami folding or how to cook vegetarian food.

17

Connect with someone.

Call or email a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while. Don't forget to consider whether they're sleeping before you call. If it's too late, you can always write an email or handwritten letter. Either way, reaching out to someone is a great way to deal with boredom. You can catch up, find out what they've been up to, and encourage them.
- If you're not sure what to say when you call, start with something like, "Hey, I know it's been ages, but you've been on my mind. How are you doing?"
- Has someone done something nice for you lately? Now's a great time to write them a thoughtful thank you note.

18

Think of ways to help others.

Research charities or volunteer opportunities in your area. When you're bored, it's easy to focus on yourself. Take a break and think of how you can help people in your community or issues you care about it. Find a local group that needs help distributing food or a school that needs tutors. Learn about ways to raise awareness for an issue that matters to you like climate change or endangered animals.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- If you're not sure how you can help, visit the websites of charity organizations and read up on ways to get involved.

19

Ask friends over.

Invite a few friends so you can have some company. You don't have to be alone if you're bored at night. Ask some friends to come over and do a project together—you could bake brownies, cook dinner, or just hang out and watch a movie.
- Ask your friends what they might like to do. They may want to come over and talk about books or video games for instance.
- Play a classic game like truth or dare. If you'd rather play something a little more low-key, get out cards or board games.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

20

Head out if you don’t want to stay home.

Get out and do something fun if you don't have to stay in. You have so many options for things to do at night. Check out what movies are playing or hit a concert. See if a friend wants to grab dinner or dessert.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- See if any bowling alleys offer a nighttime lunar bowl or head to the arcade.