Fun Indoor Activities for Adults During Winter

Even though it’s wintertime and we know it’s important to find ways to be active, let’s face it – sometimes it’s just too cold and icky to be outside.

Staying indoors under a warm blanket beside a cozy fire does sound delightful on a snowy or rainy day. But winter is long, and before you know it, you have cabin fever! Rather than submitting to full-on hibernation mode, find some fun and easy indoor activities that can keep you occupied so that you don’t just survive the winter – you thrive!

Fun Indoor Activities for Adult Get-Togethers

Beat in-home boredom by inviting people over for some company, connectedness, and camaraderie. Here are some easy ways to entertain friends and family with indoor activities instead of feeling stuck at home:

• Host a dinner party. One of the best ways to bust boredom is to get together with other people. Potluck dinner parties are easy to arrange and take the burden off the host from thinking through the entire menu. Pick a theme – maybe something tropical to transport you all mentally to warmer climates!
• Plan a movie night . Maybe you want to get together but the thought of making conversation for hours is a bit too much to bear. That’s where a great movie night can be a lifesaver. Have guests bring a dish or drink to share, maybe even something that’s tied to the feature presentation. For example, if you’re watching a James Bond flick, serve martinis and some British nibbles such as sausage rolls and cucumber tea sandwiches.
• Host a game night. If smaller group settings are more your speed, having people over to play cards, board games or active games such as charades can lead to a lot of fun and laughter.
• Play dress up. If you and your friends are tired of sitting around your own houses in sweats and athleisure wear, plan a party with a dress code. Pick a theme, like an 80s night or 50s sock hop, plan a music playlist to match the theme, and have fun seeing what people come dressed as.  

Indoor Activities to Do Yourself

Parties and get-togethers are great fun but require at least some planning. What’s there to do on days when you’re feeling a little listless, bored and you need something fun to do right now? Here’s some indoor activity inspiration:

• Exercise indoors. Search the internet for fitness videos and apps with exercises you can easily do at home without needing your own personal gym. As we get older, we tend to hold a lot of tightness in the hips and groin area, but both are easy to stretch without any special fitness equipment. Moving your body, even breaking a bit of a sweat, is great not only for your physical health, but your mental health, too.

   

• Tackle a new project. Ever wanted to start an herb garden or paint that piece of furniture? Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects can help challenge the mind, not to mention give you a physical result of your labor that you can be proud of. The internet is full of DIY crafts, using materials you might already have at home, like milk bottle birdfeeders or painted mason jar candleholders.
• Experiment with a new recipe. Even on the dreariest, most indoors-y of days, you gotta eat! Try a new recipe, maybe one that takes a bit of time since you’re not going anywhere, anyway! The smell of baking bread or simmering sauce can be soothing, and the results will be delicious.
• Exercise the mind. Do word puzzles or other one-person games that help get your brain tingling. Reading a book is another great way to exercise the imagination and transport you mentally to a different place, away from the walls of your home.
• Connect via video. If you’re far away from family and loved ones, or are unable to travel, stay connected with video calls. You can even play virtual board games with a friend living afar or watch a show together at the same time.  

Spring is Just Around the Corner

Winter sure does seem long, but then there are those days when the sun comes out and it’s pleasant enough for an outdoor walk. Take advantage of those days, and it’ll make the colder, more indoorsy days that much cozier.