Over 150 Engaging Activities for Bored Teens

Here are more than 150 practical, creative, and fun ideas to help teens stay busy and positive during social distancing. Use these suggestions to beat boredom, learn new skills, and stay connected with friends and family.

Life has changed quickly for teens and college students. Many have been asked to stay home and limit social contact, which can be especially hard at an age when friends and activities matter most.

Remote classes and assignments help structure time, but screen fatigue, cancelled events, and missed milestones have left many young people feeling isolated.

To make this unusual season more enjoyable and productive, we gathered a wide variety of ideas across categories like crafts, fitness, self-improvement, ways to connect with friends, self-care, screen-based activities, reading, academics, community service, home projects, and family fun.

Over 150 Ideas for Bored Teens To Do

These ideas are grouped to make it easy to find activities that fit your mood and interests. Pick a few to try each day and mix creative, active, and social options for balance.

Crafts

Create a photo collage or a photo wall for your room.
Make custom photo books from images on your phone to share with friends or give as gifts.
Turn old t-shirts into a quilt or other keepsakes.
Decorate plastic eggs with jute, chalk paint, or other crafts.
Learn calligraphy or practice different hand-lettering styles.
Try watercolor painting, Zentangle drawings, or crayon-resist art.
Arm-knit a blanket or learn a simple knitting or crochet project.
Design a dream home using an online room planner.
Build a ship in a bottle, make bracelets from recycled materials, or construct a small catapult for friendly challenges.

Fitness and Sports

Go for regular runs, try a Couch to 5K program, or start interval walking.
Follow online yoga classes, beginner home workouts, or no-equipment routines.
Try daily workout videos from fitness creators or studio channels.
Practice sport-specific skills: dribbling, serving, shooting, or footwork drills in a small space.
Set a fitness challenge with friends and compare progress.

Self-improvement

Learn a new skill: baking bread, basic cooking, origami, hula-hooping, or juggling.
Practice an instrument or learn to read music.
Take personality or career quizzes to explore strengths and interests.
Create a five-year plan and set steps to reach your goals.
Write a bucket list and start checking off items you can do now.
Journal about your experiences, start a gratitude log, or try a bullet journal to stay organized.
Use apps to begin learning a language or improve typing speed.

Connecting with friends

Host virtual watch parties to stream shows together while chatting.
Organize a photo scavenger hunt in your neighborhood and share photos with friends.
Use FaceTime, Google Meet, Skype, or other video apps to hang out in real time.
Play online multiplayer games, console games, or mobile party games with friends.
Make paper fortune-tellers and reveal silly fortunes on video calls.
Learn and record TikTok dances to share and challenge each other.
Create a themed digital escape room and invite friends to try it.

Self-care

Take a relaxing bubble bath or try at-home spa treatments.
Give yourself a manicure or pedicure and clean makeup brushes.
Experiment with new hairstyles and makeup looks; declutter expired products.
Make simple scrubs, do face masks, and practice mindfulness or meditation.
Create a “Happy List” of small things that lift your mood and return to it on tough days.
Allow yourself rest and naps when you need them—recharging matters.

Screen time

Virtual tours

Explore virtual museum exhibits and online galleries.
Take virtual field trips to historical sites, science centers, and parks.
Visit college campuses through online tours to research future possibilities.
Watch wildlife and aquarium webcams to relax and learn about animals.
Enjoy virtual visits to theme parks and famous attractions from home.

Streaming and binge ideas

Note: Choose shows appropriate for your age and maturity.

Explore a new streaming service with a free trial and sample different genres.
Host a marathon of favorite comedies, dramas, or documentary series with friends.
Curate themed movie nights—classic franchises, coming-of-age films, or nostalgic series.

Gaming

Play on Xbox, PlayStation, or PC—try cooperative or competitive titles with friends.
Try classic card and board game apps like poker (against AI), spades, hearts, or rummikub.
Set up multiplayer challenges and tournaments with a group chat or video call.

Organize your devices

Delete duplicate or unnecessary photos and organize albums.
Remove apps you never use and unsubscribe from unhelpful email lists.
Back up your phone, clean the keyboard and screen, and refresh your home and lock screens with favorite images.

Music and podcasts

Create new playlists on your preferred music service and discover new artists.
Host a solo or virtual dance party with friends.
Explore podcasts on comedy, true crime, history, science, and teen-focused talks to broaden your interests.

Books

Revisit favorite series like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings.
Discover a new YA or classic series to get lost in for a while.
Try reading plans or curated lists to build a steady reading habit.
Use library apps to borrow ebooks and audiobooks if available.

Academic

Get ahead on coursework or review topics you find challenging.
Study for standardized tests or begin drafting college application essays.
Research topics that interest you in depth and build a mini project or presentation.
Organize transcripts, schedules, and paperwork for the next semester.

Community service

Practice social distancing as a public service—staying home helps others.
Donate blood or plasma if you’re eligible and healthy.
Video chat with grandparents and elderly neighbors to reduce loneliness.
Write and mail letters to family or residents at care facilities who welcome mail.
Coordinate no-contact food drives or pick up groceries for at-risk neighbors.

Random ideas

These miscellaneous suggestions are easy to start and often surprisingly fun.

Take a drive with the windows down to clear your head and listen to good music.
Try on your wardrobe and put together fresh outfits to donate pieces you no longer wear.
Sort and rebuild LEGO sets or other collections you’ve neglected.
Write and mail thank-you notes or friendly letters to people you care about.
String up lights or small decorations to brighten your space and neighborhood.

Home projects

In your room

Declutter drawers and closets; set aside items to donate.
Organize your desk, deep-clean the room, and consider rearranging furniture.
Try folding clothes using a tidy method to save space.
Refresh inexpensive jewelry with a clear coat to protect it longer (with permission).

In the kitchen

Create new smoothie recipes or bake cookies from scratch.
Learn cake and cupcake decorating techniques.
Help organize the pantry and cook dinner for your family.
Make homemade popsicles using molds and fresh juices.

Around the house

Wipe down baseboards, doors, and high-touch surfaces.
Ask parents if you can help with home improvement tasks or car detailing.
Plan a garden, prep flower beds, or help care for family pets.

Family activities

Schedule time for shared fun with your household—playing games and enjoying activities together helps everyone unwind.

Indoor family activities

Complete a jigsaw puzzle or play board games suited to all ages.
Try group game apps, Jackbox-style party games, or a movie night with snacks.
Camp indoors or in the backyard with stories and s’mores.
Learn new card games as a family or host a LEGO building competition.
Organize themed movie marathons and watch series in story order for a new perspective.

Outdoor family activities

Go for hikes or pack a picnic to enjoy a safe outdoor meal.
Play frisbee, set up an obstacle course, or build giant outdoor games like Jenga.
Try glow-in-the-dark bowling with glow sticks and plastic bottles for evening fun.

We hope this list gives teens and families plenty of options to stay engaged, learn new things, and enjoy meaningful connections. If you have more ideas, consider saving this list and sharing favorites with friends and family.