27 Joyful Things To Do At Home

I think we can all agree that we’re spending a little extra time at home this year, and if you’ve spent too much time at home, you’re likely getting bored and maybe even a little anxious. Often, the things that bring us joy are things that we do outside the home. For me, it’s hanging out with friends and going to coffee shops, which don’t happen as often as they used to. Without those activities to lift our spirits, it’s easy to become less joyful.

But, while being stuck at home may not be the most fun at times, there are definitely things you can do at home that will bring you joy if you let them.

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Not everything on this list will appeal to everyone, but I can promise that there is at least one thing on this list for everyone. So skip the things that won’t bring you joy and use the other ideas as inspiration. It’s up to you to make this season of life as joyful as possible… and it is possible.

I hope this list is a good launching point for bringing a little more joy into your life right now!

Creative Activities To Do At Home

Bake Something New

Not much of a baker? No worries; try it anyways! No one is going to judge you right now for not sharing, and you might actually end up with something delicious that you’ll know how to make for your next potluck!

Create a New Recipe

If you’re more experienced in the kitchen and don’t find cooking stressful (that’s amazing and I think you’re a special breed of human), try to stage your own reality TV show and create something new from what you have in your pantry.

Learn a New Hobby

There are a million online courses you can take to learn a new hobby. Just order what you’ll need online and get learning. Want to play an instrument? Go for it! Get your cake decorating skills on? Sounds fun! Learn woodworking? Don’t know why you wouldn’t!

Get Crafty

The beauty of the internet is that you can order all the supplies you might need for that fun DIY you’ve been wanting to try out without needing to leave your home. You can even share your creations with others via social media.

Create a Fun Instagram Account

Speaking of social media… if you’ve always wanted to start an Instagram account for the hilarious cat in your life, now’s your chance! Keep everyone entertained with your in-home shenanigans. It’s a win-win!

(Speaking of Instagram, I just started an account. Follow me?! I promise it’s not about my cat.)

Color

Coloring is one of the most therapeutic activities out there. Turn on a podcast, your favorite show, or just color in silence. I often pull out a coloring book when I just need some space to think.

Write a Short Story

This one is for the most creative of peeps (at least, I think so). Take some inspiration from 2020 and write about life in quarantine or reminisce on the good old days when wearing a mask was reserved for masquerades.

Dream Up a Business

Possible my favorite of them all – create your dream business. If you have a little free time, you might as well use it to build a business that brings you joy (and a little extra cash)!

Start a Blog

Right there alongside building your dream business, you can start a blog! My blog brings me so much joy and I know yours will, too. It’s also a lot easier (and cheaper) than you might think. It’s the perfect business if you don’t want to invest tons of money upfront.

Relaxing Things To Do At Home

Read Your Favorite Book

Who says you can’t read a book more than once? Take a journey back through a book that inspires you or that whisks you off to a land of adventure.

Still need to get housework done or watch the littles? Use Audible to listen to your books! (You can get a free month-long trial using my link.)

Watch Your Favorite Movie

Not a book person? (Who even are you?!… just kidding… sort of.) Watch your favorite movie instead! Pride and Prejudice for the 500th time? Um, yes, please! Haven’t watched Elf yet this year? Well, get on it.

Do Your Hair and Makeup

Just because you won’t be seeing anyone, doesn’t mean you can’t look nice. Try out that slightly bold new look you’ve been admiring and then take a step back and admire your handiwork.

Get Dressed Up

Like doing your hair and makeup, you can get dressed up even if no one will see you. Studies have shown (don’t ask me which ones) that putting on real pants in the morning actually improves your productivity. So ditch those yoga pants and get things done!

Have an At-Home Spa Day

You don’t need a real spa to pamper yourself. Give yourself an at-home spa treatment! Get some home spa inspiration and spend the evening relaxing.

Take a Relaxing Bath

Is a full-blown spa day too much? Settle for a relaxing bath instead. Light a candle or two and read a book or just soak in the silence for a little while.

Journal

Had a rough week… month… year? Yeah, me too. Write about it, knowing that no one is going to read what you actually think about quarantine.

Activities For Connecting With Others While At Home

Write a Note to Your Grandma

If none of the above bring joy to your life, this one will for sure. Back in the spring, my cousin actually organized a letter-writing chain for my grandma and it was basically the most uplifting thing I’ve ever participated in. So, get your cousins to join you in each writing one letter over the next few weeks, or go it solo and make your grandma’s day.

Put Together a Stay-At-Home Survival Kit for the Neighbors

Chocolate? Check! RedBox gift card? Check! Think of some fun, cheap goodies and put together a stay-at-home survival kit. The hubby and I did an Easter version of this for a few homes on the block and we got to meet some neighbors that we had never met before.

FaceTime a Friend

Have a friend you haven’t seen in a while? Connect via FaceTime! You could even send a movie night goodie bag to them and have a virtual movie night together.

Play Games with Friends Via the Internet

Zoom isn’t just for talking. Use JackBox Games to play games with friends via Zoom or whatever video platform you prefer. All you need is a laptop for each location and a smartphone for each player.

Have a Virtual Dance Party

Truth be told, I’m not even sure how it happened, but my family ended up having a virtual dance party earlier this year, and it’s one of my favorite family memories now. Just set up FaceTime and turn on some music and boogie away.

Other Things To Do At Home

Plan an Indoor Date Night

Have a special person at home with you? Plan your own date night or get a surprise date with Datebox (get $10 off with this link). Whatever you do, take some time to enjoy each other’s company.

Build a Fort and Have a Living Room Sleepover

Want a fun family activity? Build a fort and spend the night in the living room. It’s camping but winter-proof! You can even prep some smores in the oven!

Organize that Part of Your House that’s Driving You Crazy

I know that closet has been calling your name. Go tackle it! You’ll feel a million times better when you don’t have to cringe every time you see it. So, even if the activity doesn’t bring you joy, the end result will.

Rearrange the Furniture

This is the easiest (and cheapest) way to refresh your home. Rearrange the bedroom and get the change of scene you’ve been craving right at home!

Indulge in Some Retail Therapy

I mean… don’t go overboard here, but a new comfy outfit or two may be warranted. Upgrade your lounging wardrobe with a new sweatshirt and some comfy pants.

Try on New Outfit Combinations

Is buying something new outside your budget? Use what you have instead and create a few new fabulously put together layered outfit combinations. It’ll feel like you went shopping, except it was totally free.

Eat Something that Makes You Happy

Need something simple to bring you joy today? Eat something that makes you happy. My go-to on a rough day is mac n’ cheese… it never disappoints. Other great options include lemon cake or anything chocolate.

One Last Note

I want to put in a little caveat here to say that I recognize that not all of these things are healthy in excess. In fact, most of these things are not. But this isn’t a list of healthy activities, it’s a list of joyful activities for when you’re struggling to find joy. So, if eating some mac n’ cheese is going to bring you joy, eat away! Just do so in moderation.

If you have any other ideas of things to do at home that will bring you more joy, let me know in the comments! I’d love to expand this list as I hear what’s bringing you joy in this season!