The official start of winter is just around the corner and the weather is only going to get colder. If you’re wondering what you can do to keep yourself occupied and entertained when you don’t want to go outside in the cold, this list is for you.
If you aren’t a big fan of winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, or if you just want a nice warm day inside, here are some activities you can do in the warmth of your own home.
These seven activities can be done at any time and many of them can be done in a group with your friends and family, or if you just want some time alone they can also be done by yourself.
Do a puzzle
Whether is it a small kids puzzle with large pieces or something much more complicated with over 1,000 small pieces, puzzles are a great activity to do by yourself or with friends and family.
Not only are puzzles a simple thing to keep you occupied, they also can help you de-stress by taking your mind off of other things and they also help to improve memory and problem-solving skills.
Puzzles can also be done as a secondary activity during an event or gathering, or as something you do while watching a TV show or movie.
Try out a new recipe
I don’t know about you, but my social media feeds are full of cooking videos with various creators showing me different recipes that I’ve never tried. I haven’t tried any of them yet, but this winter, when it’s cold outside, might just be the time for me to step into the kitchen and try something new.
In this day and age of the internet, between food bloggers, YouTube and TikTok, there’s probably very few things that you can’t learn to bake or cook from the internet.
Whether it’s a nice hearty soup, a classic chocolate cake or homemade macaroni and cheese, cooking is an activity that can help you learn something new, and at the end of it you’ll have something delicious to eat.
Make candy
For those who aren’t super into cooking, or have already mastered the skill and are looking for another way to challenge and occupy yourself in the kitchen, making candy is a great option.
Some candy is complicated and time consuming to make while others are simple and quick, so there is a variety of options for you to choose from no matter your skill set or how much time you have.
Whether it’s gooey homemade caramels, gummy bears or suckers, making candy can be a fun way to occupy yourself while making a sweet treat for yourself or to give to someone else.
Refresh your living space by redecorating or rearranging
If you’re feeling stuck in a rut inside this winter and don’t want to face the cold outdoors, one thing you can do is rearrange your furniture and decorations in your house.
This can include moving around the furniture in your living room, rearranging the items in your kitchen or getting a few new decorations.
Redecorating or rearranging your living space can help you get out of a winter funk and help you feel renewed and refreshed in a new space, or just an old space that feels new.
Make some arts and crafts
There are a variety of arts and crafts that you can do at home this winter, whether it’s going through old memories through scrapbooking or de-stressing through coloring.
Scrapbooking is a great way to keep yourself entertained and creative while looking back and reminiscing on good times in your life.
There are also plenty of other arts and crafts projects to do as well, like jewelry making, DIY home decor projects, or even just painting a picture.
Like cooking, you can go online to learn pretty much everything you need to about about arts and crafts projects you want to try.
Play a game
Playing board games and card games with family or friends is a great way to have fun and socialize while staying warm inside.
Depending on who you are and who you’re playing with, games can be a nice, relaxing activity or a competitive activity that gets everyone a bit amped up and having fun.
For those looking for a new game to play, this list from The New York Times provides some ideas of new board games to try.
Learn a new skill or hobby
For those who aren’t sure what they want to spend their time doing this winter, learning a new hobby is a great thing to try.
Your new hobby could be crocheting, knitting or even writing.
There are also more physical hobbies and skills you can learn like yoga, which is something you can learn on the internet.
If you are looking for a skill that’s a little more academic to learn this winter, learning a new language is something that can take up your time while also doing something interesting that stimulates your brain.