Fun Things to Do When Bored

When you’re bored you’re bored, yes there’s always laundry to do or dishes to wash, but sometimes, you just want to do something fun.

If you haven’t let your creative juices flow in a while, there’s no better time to experiment with a new project than when you’re bored and looking to fill the time. That’s where we come in. We put together this list of twenty easy craft projects you can do without a lot of prep or materials.

Some of these activities use things that you might already have at home, like coffee filters, wine corks, or yarn. Others might require a quick run to the nearest craft store. That said, no matter what you choose, we’re sure you won’t be bored for long once you get going on one of these projects.

There’s a lot of variety to choose from, too, so whether you have an hour to spare or a day off with nothing to do, one of these projects is bound to inspire you.

DIY Pom-Pom Rug

This project idea from Babble is a great way to occupy yourself when you can’t think of anything else to do. Hit the craft store to find yarn that matches your decor or use this opportunity to go through your yarn stash.

The great thing about this project is that it takes some time so you can keep coming back to it when boredom strikes. You can make as many pom-poms as you like and take your time stitching the finished product together.

Painted Rocks

You might think that painted rocks are meant for kids, but one look at this tutorial from the Make and Do Crew shows you otherwise. We love the simple black and white geometric designs with the pops of copper metallic shining through.

You can use smooth rocks that you find outside, or you can usually find packages of river rocks at the craft store. Create your own designs and add them to a potted plant, glass vase, shallow dish, or mix them in with a succulent garden.

Wall Collage

We love this idea from Thriving Home. Use sentimental photos and include small art projects using meaningful keepsakes to create a really personalized wall display. Frame a few of your favorite photos then think about the objects that mean a lot to you and how you can incorporate them into the art.

Think outside the box! Place pressed flowers from your wedding bouquet into a frame, hang a mason jar and fill it with your wine cork collection, or frame a card you got from your spouse.

Make Your Own Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are great, but they can get pricey, and you don’t really know what ingredients are in what you’re buying. Wellness Mama has a great tutorial on how to make your own. The recipe is pretty simple, and you can add your favorite essential oils to create scents that you love.

The best part of this project? When you’re finished, you can spend the rest of your free time soaking in a luxurious bath.

Embellished Bobby Pins

There are a lot of ways you can approach this project, but we love this idea from Little Miss Momma. The end result looks a lot like hairpins you might find in an upscale boutique, but they cost a fraction of the price to make.

You don’t need a lot of materials for this project, either. You can use scraps of fabric that you already have at home or give new life to an old sheet, pillowcase, or dress shirt that you love but has seen better days.

Book Page Roses

Although this craft requires some prep work, the end result is simply beautiful, so it’s definitely worth doing if you have some time to spare. This tutorial from Instructables really gets into detail about how to make and shape the petals and add a bit of color.

Personally, we love the look of the book pages, but you can also use this technique with other types of paper, too. Thin paper works best because it’s much easier to shape and curl.

No Sew Rice Heating Pad

Everyone needs a heating pad eventually so why not take this time to make this stylish, soothing no-sew heating pad from Living Well Mom. You’ll be glad you did the next time you or someone in your family needs one.

We love the look of this project’s muted gray cover, but you can use any kind of sock you want so feel free to make one that’s bright and colorful if that’s more your style.

Tassel Jewelry

Jewelry Making Journal has a wonderful tutorial about how to make tassel jewelry. There are a lot of ways to make tassels, but we love this technique because the tassels look so clean and neat.

Once you make your tassels, use them to create all kinds of jewelry. You can use a chain design like Rena does or add these tassels to beaded bracelets and necklaces or small hoop earrings to make a look all your own.

Noodle Bead Stacking Bracelets

Allison over at Dream a Little Bigger has this awesome stacking bracelet project that shows you how to make beautiful jewelry with minimal supplies. Head to the craft store and pick your favorite color beads to get started.

We love this project because it’s so versatile. There are so many different color beads available; you can make a set to match any occasion. Add larger charms or accent beads to create a completely different look.

Write a Letter

Letter writing is a lost art form, so what better time to bring it back than when you’re bored? Get some nice stationery or blank greeting cards, and a nice pen then sit down and write a handwritten letter to someone special.

Take this time to send a thank you to someone who means a lot to you or just remind a family member that you haven’t seen in a while how much you love them. You can also write notes to your kids to show them how special a handwritten letter makes them feel.

T-Shirt Necklace

Here’s a cool way to make a statement necklace using your favorite t-shirts. There are a lot of ways to do this project, and Emily and Jaime from Everyday Art show you five different variations to get you started.

Once you get the basic concept down, start experimenting by adding different beads or pendants or mixing different colors and textures to make a one-of-a-kind piece that’s all your own.

Nail Art Manicure

Nail art has come a long way, and it can cost a pretty penny at the salon. What better way to spend your free time than learning how to do some cool designs yourself? This simple design from Cosmo looks awesome and shows you how easy it is to create awesome designs.

By learning a few simple concepts, you can start to develop your own designs. Try new color combinations, seasonal themes, or add nail stickers and gems to really upgrade your look.

No Sew T-Shirt Pillow

Creativity Connection has this great project for making pillows out of old t-shirts. The best part? You don’t even have to own a sewing machine. This is a great way to reuse any old t-shirts that you have lying around, or you can make a trip to the thrift store to get new supplies.

If you want to get pillow forms, they’re usually available at most craft stores. Alternatively, you can also use this project as a way to update and repurpose pillows you already have.

Cupcake Liner Wreath

If you’re bored and you have some cupcake liners in your kitchen, this project was made for you. The 36th Avenue has this gorgeous design that’s perfect for spring. If you want to change it up for fall or the holidays, all you have to do is use the appropriately colored cupcake liners.

We love the added details of the small pompom garland and a fabric bow. It just goes to show you how you can add your own unique embellishments to make your wreath suit your decor.

Seed Bombs

This is a great project whether you like to garden or not. Gardenista not only shows you exactly how to make the perfect seed bomb but also tells you ideal places to put them so that beautiful flowers can start to grow in neglected spaces.

Where should you drop your seed bombs when they’re done? Kendra suggests neglected flower beds and planters. Stay away from areas that are privately owned or brownfield sights that have their own little ecosystems.

Cork Planters

Upcycle That has a great tutorial for how to make succulent planters out of wine corks. This is a great way to put a cork collection on display, and they look amazing when you attach a magnet and arrange them on the fridge.

Succulents don’t require a lot of water so a quick mist with a squirt bottle once a week should be enough to give them what they need to thrive. This is an adorable way to add some greenery to your kitchen without taking up any valuable counter space.

Plastic Spoon Roses

This project from DIY for Life is definitely a craft meant for adults and teenagers. Believe it or not, you can make roses that almost look like they’re ceramic using plastic spoons, a candle, and paint.

A great thing about this project is plastic spoons come in so many colors; you can really experiment and come up with something really different and unique. These make great pins and pendants. Or, if you make enough of them, you can create a cool flower arrangement or garland.

Paper Beads

Big Bead Little Bead has this wonderful in-depth tutorial for making paper beads. It’s not hard, though it does take some time. That said, if you’re bored, you probably have time to spare. Make a few beads now and then and before you know it, you can put together a necklace or bracelet.

One great thing about this project is that you can use different types of paper, so the possibilities are endless. Match your favorite outfit or make seasonal jewelry. They also make great gifts.

Popsicle Stick Shelf

You might think that popsicle stick crafts are just for kids, but Jess over at the Make and Do Crew has this gorgeous project that turns simple popsicle sticks into a rustic, charming hexagonal shelf.

She uses a chestnut stain on the finished project, which looks amazing, but you can use whatever stain or paint matches your existing decor. Just be sure to get the color in between all the popsicle sticks for a finished look.

Coffee Filter Flowers

You might already have some coffee filters in your kitchen. If not, they’re really inexpensive which makes this project even better. Felt Magnet has ideas for not one but eight different coffee filter flowers so you can make a few styles and create a beautiful flower arrangement.

We love the vintage look of these flowers, and we think you will, too.

Get Busy Getting Creative

Life is so crazy that it’s important to make the most of those moments when you have some time to spare. Using your creativity and imagination in those moments is a great way to recharge and get inspired.

We included a lot of projects here but remember, you don’t have to tackle them all at once! Pick the one that stands out for you and get busy making something beautiful. You might already have everything you need to get started.