Fun Things to do When Bored At Home (At Night!)

We all know this feeling: it's late, you started and stopped three different shows, and now you're mindlessly scrolling your phone hoping that something will appear to entertain you. The day's done, but you're not ready to go to bed – and you're looking for something relaxing, easy, and engaging. In this list, we'll recommend fun ideas that can help you unwind without needing to go out or exhaust yourself.

Calm, cozy ways to unwind after dark

Not everything fun needs to require high amounts of energy. In the next section, we'll tell you about some cozy, quiet ways to help you wind down at night while still feeling like you accomplished something.

Read something short and interesting

Reading is one of those hobbies that can be hard to jump back into if you fall off. You may have made it 200 pages into the latest fantasy series months ago, but returning to it can be difficult. Instead, choose something low-commitment but rewarding. Here are some tips:

• Short stories, poetry, essays, or magazine features are all great ways to spend the night reading without feeling like you need to tackle something dense. If you're indecisive about what to read, search for the best stories/poetry/magazine features of the previous year.
• You'll find official anthologies like Best American Short Stories, yearly round–ups at places like Longreads, or you can check tools like Libby for books like 100 Poems to Break Your Heart and free online libraries for thousands of other older titles.
• If these options sound too heavy or involved, opt for genres or topics that are light, fun, or nostalgic. Maybe look at the most popular vacation destinations for families, or look up a summer reading list to find something you can direct your energy to in the future.
• For a creative twist on reading, you could also read something aloud to yourself or someone else. Or read something short and use it as inspiration for a journal entry.
• And if you really want to unplug from (even reading) screens, go to your bookshelf and pick up something new that can be mentally stimulating.

Try a mini nighttime spa ritual

For those who like to pamper themselves, there are a number of soothing rituals you can add to your nights. Think of it as your own mini spa night that you can have without leaving the house. Here are a few ideas:

• Make a DIY face mask, soak your feet, or massage your body with lotion and essential oils. Nighttime skincare and self-care routines don't just feel good – it's been proven that they help signal to your body that it's time to slow down.
• Light a scented candle, dim the lights, turn on calming music, and slip into the tub for momentary peace and quiet.

Play a relaxing online game

If you prefer games as a way to end the day, try 247 Solitaire. You won't need to download anything or log in anywhere. It's simple to navigate, and just challenging enough to keep your brain active. With multiple versions of Solitaire available, including 1 Card, Spider, and Freecell for different skill levels, its flexibility makes it ideal for winding down without overthinking.

247 Solitaire offers a clean interface, autoplay options, and even festive seasonal themes to remind you of cozy days. For a peaceful way to play a game without needing bright lights, loud sounds, or other players trying to ruin your game, try a round of online Solitaire. It's a calm, quiet, and oddly satisfying way to end the night.

Creative ways to keep your hands (and mind) busy

Some people have an easier time quieting down their brains when they're doing something with their hands. If that's how you best relax, these gentle activities can keep you engaged without overwhelming your senses.

Start a low-pressure journaling habit

One of the best ways to end the night is to start a journal. You can write about anything you want. They can be reflections on the day, random thoughts that are rattling around your head, or just freewriting for five minutes.

And if you need some ideas, check out dozens of prompt ideas, including "3 good things," gratitude lists, and various other questions to answer at places like Decide Your Legacy. Regular journaling is not only a great way to process the day, but it can also reduce your stress and improve your focus. To add one more serene touch to the nightly ritual, keep your journal by bed and try to write in either dim light or by candlelight to create a different atmosphere.

Try a no-skills-needed art project

It's easy to get into your head about art, but it's principally about being able to express yourself and calm down. In fact, activities like coloring and drawing have been known to help relieve stress, improve quality of sleep, and positively affect mood. There are many creative, low-effort art options like adult coloring books, paint-by-numbers, sticker collages, or digital drawing apps. And for those who want to avoid screens, you can cut up old magazines to make mood boards or collages that can be meditative to put together.

Have a mini night photography session

You may think more about photography as a daytime activity, but there are so many possibilities with late-night photography sessions. Grab a phone and look for textures to shoot like candlelight shadows, string lights, framed corners of the room, or moonlight shining through windows. Treat it as a low-stress game as you work to play with low-light, symmetry, or try to work toward a theme like "evening peace" or "soft textures." Or use it as an opportunity for a serene walk around the house or backyard as you snap all kinds of thoughtful nocturnal scenes. And afterwards, take it easy with a low-key game of Solitaire with just a few clicks.

Fun (but relaxing) ways to burn energy indoors

You don't need to go to a gym or a party to shake off the day. These activities offer movement or mental stimulation without disrupting the peaceful vibe of nighttime. You can even do all of these activities in your pajamas.

Try a nighttime stretch or yoga routine

Nighttime might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to yoga or other ways to stretch, but it's an effective nightly ritual to release tension, improve your flexibility, and can even help with sleep quality before bed. To get started, look for short YouTube videos like Yoga with Adriene's "Bedtime Yoga Practice" or "Evening Stretch." And if you want to make it a more atmospheric activity, dim the room, put on some meditative background music, and find a space where you can be alone and savor the quiet.

Dance it out in your room

If you're feeling some leftover energy after the day, you might want to literally shake it out and have your own dance party. Put together a short playlist of "night tunes" - whether they're upbeat (for endorphins) or slow and perfect for dramatic swaying. Even 10-15 minutes of dancing can do so much to boost your energy and mood, and it's a great way to cap the night. For added fun, theme your playlist around ideas like "nostalgic throwbacks" or "movie soundtrack night."

Play a solo game or a brain teaser

If you prefer games to music, you could play a solo game or a brain teaser. There are so many options ranging from word games to trivia apps to online puzzles – or you could go analog with a newspaper crossword or sudoku puzzle. And for a great solo option that's mentally active but not overly stimulating as to disrupt your night, you could also try 247 Solitaire.

With its smooth, easy-to-navigate interface, you can switch between different Solitaire versions like Spider and Freecell. It's a low-stakes way to engage the brain without triggering alertness or anxiety, and that's especially important in winding down. By keeping the brain lightly engaged, some people can avoid being overactive on electronics before bed.

Nighttime boredom is a chance to recharge

Boredom can be annoying, but it's not a bad thing. View it instead as a signal from your brain and body that it's time to slow down and enjoy something light, creative, or just plain comforting. Sometimes that can be an impromptu photography session, and other times, that's a few rounds of online Solitaire with its hypnotizing rhythms, flexible difficulties, and no-stress pace. Are you feeling fidgety and not ready to sleep? Play a round of Solitaire and see how satisfying quiet time can be.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.