The very long Canadian winter comes with tons of boredom. Are you tired of feeling bored and unproductive during the long Canadian winter? With so much free time on your hands, it can be easy to fall into a rut of watching TV and scrolling through social media. But there are plenty of fun and exciting things you can do to keep yourself entertained and pass the time.
From starting a new hobby to exploring your local community, there are countless ways to make the most of your free time. In this article, we’ll explore 50 different things you can do when you’re bored during the long Canadian winter. So grab a warm blanket and get ready to beat the winter blues!
Things You Can Do When Bored
If you have time on your hands, spend some of that time having fun. How? Here are 50 things you can do when you’re bored.
1. Explore your neighbourhood
Social media is filled with photos and videos of people travelling to different countries. Travelling locally, however, is a very underrated way to enjoy your time. Get out of your house, pack a bag with all your necessities, and go explore your neighbourhood. Who knows? You might find a hidden gem somewhere or your next secret spot.
2. Bake something
If you’ve got some extra time on your hands, one of the best ways to spend it is by baking something. If you don’t know how now’s the perfect time to learn. If you do, why don’t you go perfect that recipe and make some of the best pastries the world has ever seen?
Check out these baking ideas to explore.
3. Learn calligraphy
Save yourself some money from buying cards during the holidays by learning calligraphy and creating cards yourself. You might even earn some extra money if you decide to take up a side job requiring calligraphy skills.
4. Make a playlist
Music has the power to trigger powerful emotions. So, why not make a playlist perfect for every occasion? You can make a playlist for your favorite novels. Whether you’re hiking up a beautiful mountain or trying to unwind after a long day, you’ll have the perfect music to set your mood.
5. Try a fun hack
Life hacks have never been more rampant. You’ll find hacks all over social media, from Pinterest to Instagram to the rising star that is TikTok. Pick a hack and try it out for yourself.
6. Have an indoor or outdoor picnic
Put your backyard to use and set up a delicious picnic with some of your and your companion’s favorite snacks. If you’re not a fan of the outdoors, there’s always an indoor option. Lay out a rug and some pillows and blankets and have yourself some fun. Don’t forget to take Instagram-worthy pictures!
7. Take a bubble bath
After a long day, how do you like to unwind? One of the most common albeit effective ways to destress is by taking a bubble bath. Imagine stepping into a tub filled with soapy water that’s just the right temperature and smells oh-so-good. Grab a book and bring it with you as you float your stress away.
8. Go camping in your living room
When we think of camping, we think of the outdoors. We think “woods” or “trees”. Camping doesn’t have to be outdoors. Camping is all about the experience. Camping indoors can be just as much fun. Roast marshmallows over a lit candle. Bake delicious s’mores using your oven. It’s all about having the right attitude.
9. Meditate
It must have been a long week for you. Dedicate time to yourself and focus on your thoughts for a few hours. Clear your mind. Breathe. Meditate. It’s a great way to unwind.
10. Write a letter
Writing letters can be very therapeutic. Consider writing some to your closest friends or your family. You might even want to write one to yourself. This might help you get those burdens off your chest.
11. Organize your house
Try channeling the restless energy you must be honing to something productive such as organizing and cleaning your house. If you do this daily, good for you. If you don’t, now’s the best time to start.
12. Color-code your bookshelf
If you’re a bookworm, you might want to start organizing your bookshelf. Try color-coding it for a more aesthetic look.
13. Start an Instagram account for your pet
Keep mementos of your pets by starting an Instagram account for them. Have fun dressing them up and posting them on the said account so you’ll have a portfolio of their adorable looks and funniest moments.
14. Have a photoshoot
Have fun with yourself and take some great photos. Have a photoshoot and a lifetime’s supply of stunning photos of you.
15. …I should have known that!
This is a fun trivia game you can play on family game nights or bring along with you as you visit your relatives.
16. Watch an award-winning movie you’ve never seen
There’s an enormous number of movies out there. We’re willing to bet you haven’t seen most of them. A quick search on Google will show you a list of some of the best movies you’ll enjoy watching.
17. Have a date night
Go out on a date with your significant other. Have a fun night out and do some of your favorite things together. Bonding is always a good way to spend your time.
18. Make your own movie
Watching movies are incredibly enjoyable. Why not make your own? Call some of your closest friends or rally your family members and create your very own film. You could recreate popular films like Harry Potter or make your very own, original movie.
19. What Do You Meme? Family Edition
What Do You Meme is a card game that’s taken the world by storm. Social media has portrayed it as a hilarious card game. Although there are versions aimed at adults, this is a family-friendly one you and your children can enjoy.
Looking for something more individualistic and mature? Try this!
20. Listen to an audiobook or a soothing podcast
When you have free time on your hands, you should use it wisely and relax. One of the best ways to do so is by listening to an audiobook or a soothing podcast. Imagine this. You’re lying in bed on top of the most comfortable mattress under the softest covers. Add a soothing podcast to that and it’ll be one of the most relaxing experiences of your life. Why not try it when you have the time?
21. Cuddle your pet
Spend some quality time with your beloved pet. Get some cuddles in or give them some treats. They’ll enjoy it and you’ll enjoy it too.
22. Clean out your emails
If you’re one of the many who belong to the population of people with an overwhelming number of emails, it’s probably a good idea to use your spare time to clean out your emails. You’ll feel so much better especially when you open your emails to find a significantly less number.
23. Turn all your photos into a scrapbook
Are you the sentimental type? Take all the photos you have and create different scrapbooks you can revisit later on if you want to relive some of your core memories. This will not only help you organize your stacks of photos but, help you unwind and remember all the good times you’ve had in life.
24. Play a board gam
Unwind by playing a fun board game like Catan and Monopoly. It’s a great way to relax and get away from whatever is stressing you out and worrying you.
25. Read a book you’ve been meaning to read
Cross some books off of your lengthy to-be-read list and read something. You can never go wrong with reading.
26. Tie-dye an outfit
Tie-dying is slowly becoming trendy not only because it turns plain clothes stunning but because the process of tie-dye is also incredibly enjoyable. You can get started with a tie-dye kit. Try it out for yourself.
27. Create a vision board
A vision board is a collage of images and words that represent one’s ambitions, wishes, and goals. Create your vision board whether it be about where you want to travel in the next year or what you want to achieve in the next few months.
28. Plan a future trip
Speaking of travel, plan a future trip. Thinking about this trip and the anticipation will help add happiness to an otherwise stressful life.
29. Start a dream journal
Have extra time? Start a dream journal. Take note of all your dreams. It’s a fun and quirky way to spend your time.
30. Do some yoga
Stretching and doing yoga is not only relaxing but, can also help you be even more productive when you get back to work. It is a good idea to invest time into daily yoga exercises.
31. Send out a letter
Don’t you miss the days of pen pals? Sure, social media makes communication easier but, there’s just something beautiful about writing letters. So, why don’t you write one and send it out to your friends or relatives? Surprise them with a caring letter and show them you appreciate and love them.
32. Build a homemade escape room
Escape rooms have always been fun but, you might be too tired to leave your apartment so, why not bring the escape room to you. There are tons of instructions online that’ll help you make your very own escape room and have some fun with your friends and family.
33. Go stargazing
Stars are stunning, aren’t they? They definitely deserve all the attention. Have a picnic under the stars or lay down a blanket and stare at the stars till you get bored of it which is unlikely.
34. Color
When was the last time you coloured something? Colouring has been an integral part of everyone’s childhood. Why don’t you try colouring something? It’ll help you unwind. There are tons of colouring books for both kids and
35. Eat only food of a specific colour for the rest of the day
Here’s a fun challenge for you. Choose a colour, any colour. Eat only food of that specific colour for the rest of the day. For instance, your colour is red. You can only eat red food such as tomatoes, red sauce pasta, and the like.
36. Start growing a garden
Does your background seem like a desert? Use your free time to plant vegetables or buy some stunning flowers and start growing a garden.
37. Build dominoes and let them topple
Dominoes, although time-consuming, are very satisfying when you let them topple. Try getting some dominoes, stacking them up properly, and toppling them.
38. Meal prep for the week
Another productive way you can spend your precious free time is by meal prepping for the week. Save yourself some time for when you’re too busy to cook by cooking ahead.
39. Write a song
Another great activity you could try is writing a song. Pour your heart out on a piece of paper and write lyrics to a beautiful song with a heart-rendering tune.
40. Paint
Paint when you’re bored. This can be painting a picture, a landscape, or your wall. It’s all up to you. Painting is fun, relaxing, and did we mention fun?
41. Exploding Kittens
Another easy family-friendly board game you can invest in is Exploding Kittens. Buyers have testified and continually mention how much fun it is. It’s a great way to enjoy your free time.
42. Ride your bike to the edge of the world
When we say the edge of the world, we don’t mean it that way. We mean, ride your bike around your neighborhood, explore it, and feel the fresh air against your face. This is not only relaxing but serves as great exercise as well.
43. Drive. Just Drive
Grab your car keys and start driving around your neighborhood while bobbing your head along to some of your favorite tunes and shouting the lyrics. This can be very therapeutic.
44. Kids Against Maturity
Another great board game you can buy is Kids Against Maturity. Similar to What Do You Meme, this is another hilarious and family-friendly card game everyone can enjoy.
45. Roast marshmallows over a campfire
Roasted marshmallows are delicious. Go out, start a campfire, and roast some marshmallows. Or light a candle and roast a marshmallow. There are tons of options.
46. Tell scary stories
If you’ve told scary stories around a campfire, you know just how fun they can be. Why not recreate that even if you don’t have a campfire? You can turn out the lights and hold flashlights to your face while you scare each other with the most terrifying stories.
47. Go online shopping
Online shopping has risen up the ranks because of the ease online shopping offers. Splurge a bit and visit your favorite shopping websites. They might offer some sweet deals you won’t want to miss out on.
48. Try out a new outfit
Most of us love to shop but, what’s most fun is when we buy a new outfit, and we get to try it on. If you have a new outfit hidden behind the mountain of clothes in your closet, have a fun fashion show like you did when you were 8, and try out the outfits.
49. Update your resume
How long has it been since you last updated your resume? If it’s been recent, you can skip this part but, if it’s been some time, this is a friendly reminder to do so. You wouldn’t want the companies you’re applying for to completely underestimate you because you’d forgotten to place key experiences that help make you stand out.
50. Have a date with yourself
We’ve mentioned having a date night with your significant other. This time, have a date with yourself. Indulge in your favorite activities and spend some me-time for your mental health.
The Takeaway
There are tons of ways you can spend your time. You don’t have to be sitting on your sofa or lying down in bed thinking about how bored you are all the time. If you’ve got a few free hours before your next class or a few hours before bedtime, spend it well by trying out some of the 50 activities listed above.