When you are feeling bored, do you find yourself on your phone and mindlessly scrolling through social media for the next hour?
Or perhaps you find yourself stuck in the same daily routine that has become monotonous and you want to change things up to make life a little more interesting?
On top of that, if you are trying to do some budgeting and want to save money but still want to have fun, you’re in luck because there are many ways to enjoy your day without breaking the bank.
I’ve compiled a list of ten ways you can have fun without spending money, and if you can find at least one of them compelling, then I encourage you to go ahead and try it out.
Even better, if any of the ideas inspire you in any way to create a new challenge or activity, then props to you for taking the initiative!
Let’s go through the list then, shall we?
1. Photoshoot
Whether you invite your friends or family to participate, or you just want to be a solo photographer, a photoshoot is a great way to capture memorable moments and improve your photography skills as well!
There are so many ways that you could do a photoshoot: you can take photos of yourself or have someone take them for you, you can treat your friends or family to a photo session, or you can take pictures of nature, be it flowers, animals, or even the clouds in the sky.
Be as creative as you can: experiment with different cameras if you have them, such as your phone camera versus a DSLR camera.
Remember that you absolutely do not need an expensive camera to do a photoshoot!
With the right mindset, even a disposable camera can be a great device for a memorable photo session.
If you have a Polaroid camera lying around, now is the time to make use of it!
Even if you just have your smartphone, there are so many techniques and tricks to make the most out of your phone camera and capture some stunning shots.
2. Enjoying Sunrise/Sunset
Few things can be as dreamy as watching the glowing horizon with its awe-inspiring shades and colors.
Catching a sunrise or sunset is a great way to appreciate nature’s beauty, and you can enjoy the moment by yourself or with others.
If you’ve been feeling stressed lately, observing the beautiful atmosphere that the sunrise/sunset creates can help you relax, reflect, and internalize all the things you are grateful for.
If you need an outlet to express your creativity, you can test your photography skills and try to capture gorgeous photos of the sunset or you can bring a watercolor kit and try to recreate the scene yourself.
You can even go on a day trip and end the day with a picnic at sunset.
Or you can do the opposite if you are an early bird; witnessing the sunrise can be a great way to energize and start your day.
Disclaimer: Here’s a friendly reminder to never look at the sun directly (or even through sunglasses) to avoid eye damage; just enjoy the beautiful colors in the sky!
3. Stargazing
You don’t have to be an astronomer to stargaze and identify some constellations in the sky…so try it!
You can do some research beforehand by downloading pictures of constellations on your phone or printing them out to help you identify them in the sky.
If you are truly dedicated, you can head to a bookstore and buy a stargazing guide that explains everything you need to prepare for your nighttime adventure!
If that seems like too much work, I have the perfect solution for you: YouTube.
Just search for videos on stargazing and before you know it, you’ll have enough knowledge to plan a trip to view the night sky and recognize some constellations.
Please note that the night sky will have less visible starlight in urban and suburban areas where the city lights pollute the sky, so if you live in such an area, it is best to go to a rural area to enhance your stargazing experience.
4. Picnic
The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing a location for a picnic…it could be on a lush grassy hill, on the warm sands by the ocean, by the blue waters of a lake, or even in your own backyard!
The fun thing about a picnic is that you can set it up almost anywhere you want.
Some essentials for your picnic could include: a tablecloth, a picnic basket (or a sturdy bag), an ice box for cold drinks, utensils, plates, napkins, and the food of course!
You could make sandwiches and bring some cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, or a salad.
If you want to keep it simple, you could have a picnic where you bring your favorite dessert, such as cheesecake, any type of pie, a parfait, some cookies, or a cake.
Don’t forget to bring water or a refreshing drink to stay hydrated!
5. Cook A New Recipe
If you are tired of eating the same foods over and over again, or you just want to test your culinary skills, you could try cooking a new recipe to change things up a bit!
Make sure to choose a recipe with a difficulty level that you are fairly comfortable with, as it could be daunting to follow a recipe with cooking techniques that you are not familiar with.
Don’t be afraid to try new things though!
Everyone learns through trial and error, and as long as you have the right ingredients, kitchen tools, and the willpower, you can learn to make any dish your heart desires.
And whether you end up liking the recipe or not, at least you will have gained a new experience and maybe learned a thing or two about a new culture, cuisine, or a cooking technique.
The key is to have fun making the dish so that no matter the outcome, it’s bound to be a memorable experience!
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6. Movie Night
Grab your blankets, pillows, pajamas, popcorn, and have a cozy movie night!
Whether you want to watch a classic favorite or a new movie that is streaming online, you can be sure to have a great time with the right ambience and company, or even alone if that’s the case!
You can get creative with the setting you choose:
If you have extra sheets and large pillows, you could build a blanket fort and set up some string lights around it to create a warm and inviting space to watch a movie.
Or you can set up a tent – it’s your choice of using it indoors or outdoors. Then, grab some snacks, blankets, and your laptop. After everything is set up, you are ready for an adventurous movie night in the tent!
If you are feeling extra fancy and happen to have a projector and screen, you can set up your own movie theater wherever you want – such as in your backyard or in the comfort of your own home.
But maybe you like to keep things simple: get comfy on the couch, dim the lights, and watch a movie in your living room.
Do whatever makes you happy, and as long as you are enjoying your time, you are a winner.
7. Enjoy Nature
So often, you may find yourself too busy in your day-to-day life that you don’t appreciate nature as often as you would like.
If you are feeling bored and are running out of ideas of what to do, try doing an activity that involves nature!
You could find a nice hiking trail and look for wildlife on your hike, you can search for a local flower garden and admire the beauty of the flora, or you can go for a walk at the park and take in all the sights and sounds of nature.
If you are working remotely, see if you can take your work outside for a nice change and different atmosphere.
Even stepping outside and taking a breath of fresh air can give you a new mindset and relieve some stress.
8. Do A Workout Challenge
It is important to take care of your physical health, and one fun way to do so is to complete a workout challenge!
Everyone has varying levels of physical fitness, so choose a workout that challenges you in a way that is doable but still pushes you.
To motivate yourself to complete a fitness challenge, invite a friend to do it with you and it will not only become a fun activity to do together, but it will be easier to do if you push each other to complete the workout.
Note: Never exert yourself in a way that is uncomfortable, dangerous or painful, and remember that most of the time, you can modify a workout to suit your needs/fitness level.
9. Volunteer At Animal Shelter
Spending time with animals can be such a rewarding and fulfilling experience, so volunteering at your local animal shelter is a great choice if you love animals.
Depending on the animals being kept at the shelter, you may be able to work with many different breeds, which can provide you with an exciting and new experience.
Whether you are a dog or cat person, or both, you can potentially form a bond with either type of animal by taking care of them during their stay at the shelter.
By volunteering at a shelter, you can learn new skills on how to properly take care of the animals. In addition, you may be able to meet people who are looking to adopt a pet and help them with the adoption process.
Possibly the best part is that you may interact and play with the animals.
Be sure to call your local animal shelter and see if they are accepting volunteers!
10. Follow A Drawing Or Art Tutorial
Whether you have a natural talent for drawing or you hope to brush up on your skills, you can give a shot at following an art tutorial.
You can search how to do a simple sketch, how to create a watercolor painting, how to draw with charcoal, how to do origami, etc.
You don’t have to be good at drawing to follow a tutorial, and it can be a fun way to challenge yourself and learn a new skill or two.
If you consider yourself to be a decent artist, you can try learning to create a new art form that you are not so familiar with.
At the end of the tutorial, be proud of your work and remember that you can never really fail at making art if you simply define art as a way to express your creativity!
Final Thoughts
These are just a few activities that you can do to escape your boredom, but the list doesn’t end here.
Depending on your own interests and hobbies, you can come up with a list of your go-to activities when you are feeling uninspired and bored.
For example, let’s say that you feel at peace in nature and at the beach. You could compile a list of all the beaches you can visit and nature-related activities you can partake in, such as hiking and snorkeling.
Brainstorming some ideas can be very eye-opening since you might realize there are so many things that you’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t gotten around to doing them yet.
Now is the time to make that list and hopefully it will be a while before you get bored again!
