Behavioral Awareness Center, Inc.

Bored During the Coronavirus Quarantine? These 50 Fun Things to Do When Bored Will Help You Stay Sane

8/5/2020

With smartphones and Netflix constantly at our fingertips, being bored and stuck feeling like there’s nothing to do almost doesn’t seem possible… almost. But now, with coronavirus and what seems to be the never-ending quarantine, boredom has become completely and utterly inevitable. (After all binging shows —even ones that are as surprisingly addictive as Tiger King—can only be fun for so long! So, when it feels like the seconds are just dragging on, here are 50 fun things to do when you’re bored!
From completing a jigsaw puzzle to conducting your own wine tasting, your quarantine-induced boredom will quickly become a thing of the past.
50 Things to Do When Bored Instead of Using
1. Read a book.
Dust off your favorite book and read it from cover-to-cover. If the book made it to the silver screen, watch the movie adaptation and make notes to compare!
2. Color in a coloring book.
Coloring isn’t just for toddlers anymore! Snag an adult coloring book filled with intricate designs and some colored pencils and watch the minutes float on by.
3. Turn your latest family photos into a scrapbook.
Print out the photos from your latest family trip and compile it all into a memorable scrapbook that the family will cherish for years to come.
4. Make your own movie.
Using your smartphone, shoot a movie or re-create one using household props. Use editing software like iMovie to put it all together.
5. Create slime with your kids.
Keep your kids entertained for hours with just glue, eye contact solution, and food coloring. Look up the recipes for other slime variations to keep the fun going
6. Tye dye T-shirts.
Tye dye white T-shirts in a matching color scheme with your kids. When the shirts are dried, have an inside photoshoot and post the photos to Instagram.
7. Go on a walk.
The CDC says that walking outside is still allowed (and encouraged)! Just be mindful to keep a 6-foot distance between yourself and others.
8. Bake something sweet.
Nothing is more delicious than a fresh cookie out of the oven. Bake up a storm using classic recipes found online or be daring and create your own.
9. Complete a jigsaw puzzle.
Set up a little puzzle station in your living room and work on it between Netflix binges.
10. Play an instrument.
If it doesn’t bother your neighbors, pick up and learn a small instrument like the ukulele.
11. Learn a new language.
With free apps, like Duolingo, now is a great time to learn a foreign language for your next trip.
12. Start journaling.
Keeping a journal or a diary is a great way to navigate through tough feelings while also killing some time.
13. Pick up a new hobby.
Knitting and embroidery are an awesome way to bring a personal touch to your wardrobe and home decor. Check out some YouTube tutorials on what the perfect stitch is for a circle scarf.

14. Play an old game from your childhood.
Whether it’s a board game like Clue or a video game like Kingdom Hearts, playing a childhood favorite game will not only kill some time but also bring back some serious childhood nostalgia.
15. Organize your house.
Make like Marie Kondo and spark some joy by reorganizing your closets and de-cluttering your surroundings.
16. Make mixed playlists.
With music sharing apps like Spotify or Pandora, create your own personalized playlists and share them with friends.
17. Perfect an old family recipe.
Does your family have a recipe that’s been passed down for generations? Take this time to learn and perfect it so all your relatives will say it’s better than grandma’s by Christmas.
18. Learn a tabletop role-playing game.
Back in the day, games like Dungeons and Dragons may have been only for nerds but, it turns out, it’s a great way to kill some time. All you need for the game are some dice, friends, and imagination.
19. Create your own signature cocktail.
If someone created a drink after you, what would be in it? Create it and make sure to put it on the menu at your next dinner party.
20. Order some takeout.
While many restaurants are closed for dine-in customers, many are still offering delivery and pickup options. Use apps like Seamless or Uber Eats to support your favorite local grub spot.
21. Have an indoor picnic.
Clear out the living room, set down a blanket, and make your own picnic lunch without having to step outside.
22. Pickle some veggies.
Slice some vegetables like cucumbers and onion and throw them in a mason jar filled with vinegar and seasonings. Seal the jar and let it sit for a while until your next barbecue for some pickled toppings.
23. Get some Christmas shopping done.
If you’re still having some stressful holiday-related flashbacks, why not tackle it early this year and make some headway on your 2020 Christmas list.
24. Write a gratitude list.
Remind yourself that there is a light at the end of the tunnel by counting your blessings. Use cute stationery or your favorite pen to make it extra special.
25. Cook an extravagant meal.
Have a date night at home inspired by the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Julia Child. Test your culinary skills by cooking an involved recipe like beef Wellington or coq au vin.
26. Have ice cream for dinner.
Create a little of your own sunshine by making every 5 year old’s dream come true: ice cream for dinner! Set up a sundae bar in your kitchen with various toppings and different flavors (don’t forget the whipped cream!).
27. Take a bubble bath.
In these tense times, a bubble bath can be a great way to unwind. Add a little aromatherapy with calming scents like lavender or jasmine to increase your zen.
28. Make a smoothie.
In long periods of downtime, it’s easy to mindlessly snack on junk food. Create a healthier alternative by mixing together your own frozen fruit concoction.
29. Read a New York Times Best Seller.
Find the New York Times Best Seller list from the year you were born. Choose the number one choice and see if it’s still timeless with age.
30. Watch all the “Best Picture” Oscar-winning films from the past decade.
See how these films stand out from the rest. Go through the Oscar’s Best Picture winner list, choose what stands out to you, and pop the popcorn.
31. Try some Pinterest hacks.
Go through your favorite Pinterest board and see what hacks you can do around the house. Make note of the ones that work.
32. Conduct your own wine tasting.
Open the bottles you have already in the house. Make up a story about the grapes and how they ended up turning into wine.
33. Work on your financial planning.
With breaking news changing from day-to-day, it may be a good time to go over your annual budget and see what needs to be adjusted.
34. Camp indoors.
Clear out the living room and build a fort or pitch a tent to bring some of the outdoors, inside! If you really want to go all out, roll out some sleeping bags and hang up some glow-in-the-dark stars for some sweet memories.
35. Interview your grandparents.
Give your grandparents a call and ask them all about their lives. Record the conversation using your phone.
36, Master your favorite drink.
Whether it’s Manhattan or a glass of old-fashioned lemonade, gather supplies and ingredients and craft it to perfection.
37. Take a virtual visit to the zoo.
Do you have a future wildlife expert living among you? Give the kids a lesson in zoology and see what the animals are up to by checking out the live cameras at the San Diego Zoo!
38. Visit the world with Google Earth.
Even though tickets for flights around the world are at an all-time low, it is strongly advised not to travel further than your own backyard. If adventure is calling your name, load up Google Earth, type in your dream destination, and give yourself a virtual tour.
39. Give yourself a mani/pedi.
Who needs the salon? Bust out your favorite color of polish and paint them to your heart’s content. Be sure to look at YouTube tutorials to learn how to do fun designs!
40. Learn a new style of dance.
Use this time to watch YouTube tutorials and learn how to boogie in different ways. Dancing like belly dancing and shuffling are great ways to stay in shape without the gym.
41. Marathon classic film series.
Transform your living room into a movie theater with popcorn and snacks and marathon classic films, like Star Wars or Back to the Future! Bonus points if you can come up with fun ways to watch the series in a different order.
42. Meditate.
Calm your mind by taking 10 minutes or more to meditate and quiet your thoughts. Browse through YouTube for some guided meditations or download apps like Headspace for some quick sessions.
43. Give yourself a makeover.
Face masks, moisturizers, and skincare galore! Treat yourself to a 10 step skincare routine and get your pamper on.
44. Feng shui your living room.
Give your furniture more of a role in your calm by researching the philosophy of feng shui and seeing what’s best for your home.
45. Buy gift cards online from your favorite neighborhood shops.
With uncertain times, most local businesses are being forced to close without knowing if they can re-open. Support your local neighborhood by buying gift certificates now and then use later.
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46. Write a book with your family.
Have each family member create one character. Then have one person start by writing a chapter, then hand to the next person to write chapter two, and so forth. Continue until the story ends!
47. Conduct a Scrabble tournament.
With March Madness canceled, conduct your own Scrabble tournament with your family. Have your kids fill out brackets to predict the winner!
48. Host a virtual meet-up.
If quarantining has left you more distant than social, consider coordinating a video hangout with loved ones. Video sharing software like Zoom or Skype can be used to play online games with each other and extensions like Netflix Party can be used for a virtual movie night!
49. Write a letter.
Be like a heroine in a Jane Austin novel and write a letter by hand. Send it off to a loved one and wait for a response.
50. Sleep.
Even if you’re not feeling sick, one of the best ways to give your immune system a boost during this pandemic is loads and loads of rest. Being sleep deprived can weaken your immunity cells and increase your chances of getting sick. Taking a quick nap whenever you’re looking to pass the time can give your immune system a fighting chance.
NOT ENOUGH IDEAS NEED MORE WELL HERE YOU GO! 26 OF THE BEST ONLINE GAMES

1. Words with Friends 2: The name of the game says it all “words, with, friends.” Rally together your mother, father, aunt, distant cousin, coworker, boss or neighbor and challenge them into taking you on as you scramble to create words out of the letters that you are issued. Whoever gets the most points wins. And your brain will get a workout as well because let’s be honest—there are only so many words that you can fit the letter Z into. Don’t you hate when you draw that letter in Scrabble?
2. Best Fiends Stars: Best Fiends STARS is a puzzle game that challenges you to “match and blast your way” through a series of “explosive” puzzles, collecting adorable characters and teaming up with your friends along the way. Challenge your friends to race to collect fallen treasures and stars before they get snagged by a team of slimy slugs.
3. Fortnite: Epic’s family-friendly battle royale game continues to draw in millions of daily active users. While some gamers focus on winning their next Victory Royale, the game offers dozens of challenges for gamers to take on and overcome. “The game continues to evolve with frequent changes to the map, so the current game world won’t be the same by the end of an eight-week self-quarantine,” says Chris Erb, gaming expert and founder of Tripleclix. He adds that the cartoon graphics appeal to gamers of all ages, “but be aware you do use guns to shoot other players in the game.” Fortnite is free on Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS4 and mobile.
4. Jackbox Games: This just might be the official game of the lockdown, as new account creations for the platform have been surging since more and more people have discovered that it’s popular trivia game You Don’t Know Jack can now be played with friends. The company posted a recent tutorial on how to do so here. The game will keep everyone on their toes as it tosses pop culture trivia questions as fast as you can answer them. Host Cookie Masterson walks you through the routine, while the occasional celebrity may pop up to lend a hand.
5. Minecraft: Erb deems this “the ultimate collaboration” and notes that it saw a resurgence last year and continues to grow with every new generation of gamer. Up to eight friends can join an online game and build whatever they can imagine in creative mode, or maybe they join up to see how long they can last in survival mode. “And if parents have a youngster in the house that’s never tried it, a few weeks off from school might be the perfect time to introduce them,” Erb adds. Minecraft’s building mechanics tend to turn children into budding construction engineers. All ages can play Minecraft on Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS4, and mobile for $20, and it’s available for free on Xbox Game Pass.
6. NBA 2k20: “Fans might be distressed by the postponement of the real-life NBA season, but the virtual NBA is still going strong,” says Erb. “Gamers can finish the season and even play through a run of the playoffs while waiting for the season to start again. NBA players have already been shooting out the online stadiums against each other, simulating what might have happened if they had actually played in real life,” he adds. All ages can bring a full squad to the courts and play as a single team in online matches. NBA 2k20 will set you back $60 on digital marketplaces and $30 for physical versions on Xbox One, PC, Switch, and PS4. The game is also available for free on Xbox Game Pass.
7. Decurse: “Dedazzle, craft and farm your way through enchanted lands and see if you can reverse the curse!” This game allows you to connect with Facebook friends or make some new friends in-game. Players can join a clubhouse and collaborate on special challenges, earn club points, achieve a spot on the leaderboard and earn prizes! You can also exchange materials with your friends to help on your journey. It can be played on iOS, Google Play and Amazon. Ages Rating is 4+.
8. Sea of Thieves: Looking for a game to take you away from current events to beautiful beaches, and maybe a grand line of pirate adventure? Sea of Thieves, says Erb, is just that game. It’s a massively multiplayer experience where you play as a pirate in an open world of possibilities. Online gamers seek treasure, back down skeleton hoards and discover the tall tales the world holds. Gamers are also free to engage in battles for each other’s hard-earned pirate booty. All ages can take up to three friends with them on their voyage as you skirmish with other pirate crews on the high seas. Sea of Thieves costs $50 on Xbox One and PC, and is available for free on Xbox Game Pass.
9. Pokemon Go: Walk around your house, yard and neighborhood with the mission of collecting hidden Pokemon that could be lurking everywhere from your kitchen to back patio. The game enlists the use of your mobile GPS and clock, allows you to interact with your friends, and even lets you track their activity in the game. You can create a friends list and engage in some in-game trading and gift-giving. And since news of the COVID-19 outbreak, the game’s manufacturers have made some adjustments that allow you to find more monsters closer to home and features that make the game more consumable in “individual settings.”
10. Mario Kart Tour: Grab Mario, the princess and all of your favorite childhood classic Nintendo pals, toss them in a go-kart, and you’re off! This version raises the stakes even higher, putting you face-to-face with courses that take you underwater and even hang gliding. And the mobile version allows you to bring your friends along for a little friendly competition. It’s the game that Justin Holmes, an emergency medical technician in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been using to get him through his retreat. “It’s a blast!” he says.
11. Exploding Kittens: This game gives you the ability to play online with friends or strangers. It’s a highly strategic, “kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette” where players draw “cards” up until the point where someone draws an exploding kitten. When this happens, they explode and are out of the game—unless that player has a “Defuse card,” to defuse the kitten with tricks such as a laser pointer, catnip sandwich or belly rub. Meanwhile the other cards in the deck can be used to, mitigate, or avoid the exploding kittens.
12. Fairway Solitaire: The original puzzle solitaire game. “Hit the fairway” and complete daily challenges, earn rewards and find collectables! While playing, you can join a club, meet new friends, play together, get your club on the leaderboard and win incredible prizes! Clubs unlock at level 14 and anyone can join. Work together to earn club chips to unlock incredible prizes! The game can be played on iOS, Google Play and Amazon. Ages Rating is 4+ and the average player age range is 40-65. Complete clever solitaire puzzles, master the course and earn prizes!
13. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: World of Warcraft used to dominate the massively-multiplayer online role-playing game market, but Square Enix’s long-running Final Fantasy series currently wears the crown, say Erb. He notes that this most recent expansion, Shadowbringers, launched less than a year ago and contains the MMO’s best story yet. “The game incentivizes group play through additional rewards and allows new players to level up for the newest content,” he explains. Up to eight players can team-up to take on dungeons and their massive boss battles. “There is a lot of reading so we wouldn’t recommend the game for your littles,” Erb explains. The complete Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn experience is available on PC and PS4 for $60.
14. DRL Simulator: This is an online drone racing video game where players can compete against their friends (available for download on Steam for $9.99). Players can set up a group and race against each other for an action-packed way to bond. To support students studying remotely, DRL recently announced complimentary access to the DRL SIM (which includes robotics training sessions on how to fly and build a drone) as part of their new STEM program, DRL Academy.
15. Uno and Cards Against Humanity: During her lockdown, Tayla Burke, founder of Camp Conscious, says she has been keeping busy playing these party classics online with her friends. “I like these games because they are light hearted and sure to brighten your mood! You’re sure to have a few good laughs even on your own in self-quarantine! It makes me feel like I am not actually by myself every day,” she proclaims.
16. Stardew Valley: “This little indie title won gamer hearts with its earnest world and gameplay,” says Erb. Players start as a young farmer seeding and taking care of your first ever crop on a farm, but they soon discover a town full of unique characters (who they can date and even marry), dungeons to explore, mysteries to uncover, and so much more. One in-game day takes fifteen minutes, with the game covering at least an in-game five years of story and adventures to discover, it will take gamers a long time to finish it. All ages can play the game on Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS4, and mobile for $15.
17. Call of Duty Warzone: Activision’s first-person shooter series has been at the top of gaming for over a decade. And per Erb, Its tight controls and evolving online multiplayer gameplay continues to be considered some of the best in the industry. Call of Duty’s newest iteration just hit the market, called Warzone, and is a blast to play. It’s a new take on the popular battle royale genre featuring worlds with 150 players and different sized squads. There are even different variations of the Warzone gameplay already in online playlists. The game is free-to-download on Xbox One, PC, and PS4.
18. Gummy Drop!: Gummy Drop! is a relaxing and fun match 3 puzzle game with tons of new content with new cities added regularly. Connect with your Facebook friends as you play. This provides you a fun way to check up and see where your friends are in-game. Send and receive the gift of extra lives and share a love for global travel and exploration. You can play on iOS, Google Play and Amazon, Ages Rating is 4+.
19. Monopoly: Rachel Sanders, co-founder of Rootine Vitamins has been having fun during this in person social hiatus by challenging her friends to some old-fashioned board games. “I’ve played Monopoly online with friends and it’s been really fun. It’s easy and just like the board game,” she says. “I can be competitive so I like that you have to stay on top of it when you play. And I can play with different family members like parents to nieces and nephews-all ages can play!”
20. Rocket League: Rocket League keeps it simple with a two-word summary: “car soccer.” You control a car on an oversized soccer field with an oversized ball and try to take down opposing teams in five minute matches. According to Erb, all ages can team-up with up to three other friends for casual and ranked online play. You constantly earn cool cosmetic looks for your car of choice as you score plenty of goals. Rocket League is available for $20 on Xbox One, PC, Switch, and PS4.
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21. Halo: “I’ve been playing Grand Halo with friends. It’s cool because you can talk over headsets and it’s a way to stay in touch. You play by controllers and it’s online now too,” says Alex Hoffman, a pilot for American Airlines.
22. Grand Theft Auto V Online: Grand Theft Auto V is one of the gaming industry’s highest ever-selling titles. The game features a story mode with fifty hours of adventure based around an in-game version of Los Angeles, but the story is just a warm-up for the best part of the game. “It’s online mode, which can be filled with up to thirty players, is filled with bigger missions, more over-the-top antics, and is updated regularly adding additional types of gameplay,” says Erb. He explains that Grand Theft Auto V “is for very mature audiences and should not be played by children.” The game costs $30 on Xbox One, PC, and PS4, and is also available for free on Xbox Game Pass.
23. Cards Against Humanity/Remote Insensitivity: This politically incorrect party game in which players complete fill-in-the-blank statements using words or phrases typically deemed as offensive, risqué or politically incorrect has been around since 2011 as physical playing cards. Now you can play online for free! Up to six players can use PlayCards.io to play a version of Cards Against Humanity, together. Open the page, scroll down to “Remote Insensitivity,” then hit “Start.” (As you see, PlayCards.io is also enabled for other games as well—Go Fish, Checkers, Crazy Eights and Match Up.)
24. Houseparty: Houseparty is a face-to-face networking app that allows you to go on video calls with up to seven friends in a room. Apart from just seeing and talking to each other, the app also has several games that everyone in the room can play together. Houseparty features games like Heads Up!, Trivia, Chips and Guac (comparable to Cards Against Humanity or the PG version, Apples to Apples), and Quick Draw!, which is a fast-paced version of Pictionary.
25. Crucible: In this game, a team-based action shooter is driven by the choices you make. Each match in Crucible is a fight for survival and control. Not only will you be going toe-to-toe with your fellow competitors, but you’ll have to adapt and overcome all the challenges the planet itself throws your way. You and your teammates will need to work together to take down alien creatures, capture objectives, and pursue your opponents in search of victory. The newest addition to this list, just dropped May 20. Amazon-owned Relentless Studios, developed the game which is available on Steam only. The jury’s still out on whether it will draw legions of fans like Fortnite, Apex Legends and other free-to-play games.
26. Skribbl: Love Pictionary? Gather your friends in a private game room and get ready to show off your mad drawing skills with Skribbl! Just like traditional Pictionary, each player gets a word and then attempts to draw their chosen word on the digital canvas and friends try to guess what you’re drawing. This game works best with a tablet and stylus but you can definitely try drawing with your sketching with your finger.

So as you can see if you just cant find a book to read there are plenty of other things to do beside using!
Remember to try and look at it this way:
Instead of thinking “Man I can’t get high.” and dwelling on that.
Try thinking “there is only one thing I can’t do today but there are a million other things that I can do.”
Ross Croydon
Clinical Director

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The Coronavirus Era COVID-19 has now touched nearly every aspect of our lives. As it surges across the U.S., and our knowledge of the virus continues to evolve, we'll bring you the stories that will help you protect yourself and your family.

August 26th, 2020

Bored During the Coronavirus Quarantine? These 50 Fun Things to Do When Bored Will Help You Stay Sane

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