49 FREE + PRODUCTIVE things to do at home

Whether you’re just at home bored, in lockdown, quarantined or it’s just too people-y outside.. need ideas for what to do?

I’ve got you covered.

All of these ideas are centered around being both productive and free.

I mention a few items that you might need, but they’re common items that you probably already have around the house!

I’ve broken it up into a couple of different sections for your convenience:

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CREATIVE

1. Read

Read an actual book.

Pick up that one you’ve had sitting on your shelf collecting dust or reread an old favorite.

You can also check out something new for free from your local library.
 

 
 

2. Audio Book

Don’t feel like reading?

Try listening to an audio book instead.

The great thing about listening to audio books is that you can listen while you’re doing something else.

I love to listen while I’m driving, but you could also listen while you’re doing chores like washing dishes or folding laundry.
 

 
 

3. Podcasts

Try listening to a new podcast.

If you’ve never listened to a podcast before, there are so many different ones!

There are a lot of free ones available too.

While I tend to prefer audio books, podcasts can also be very interesting and short enough to finish in one sitting.

 

 

 

4. Listen to Music

Discover some new songs, create playlists based on your mood or just listen to your old favorites again.

I find that music tends to make everything better and like audio books and podcasts, you can listen while you’re doing something else!
 

 
 

5. Create a Vision Board

Create a vision board of what you would like your future to look like.

Put it up somewhere you can see it frequently to remind yourself what you’re working towards.

 

 
 

6. Meditate

It’s not about trying to clear your mind, it’s about slowing down and trying to be in the present moment.

A good first step with meditating is to close your eyes.

Your brain uses a lot of energy on processing visual info – just closing your eyes will free up a lot.
 

 
 

7. Journal

Journaling can aid with both your personal growth and mental health.

One of the best things about journaling is that there’s so many different ways to do it.

All you need is some paper and a pen.
 

 
 

8. Gratitude List

Write out a list of all the things that you’re grateful for and truly appreciate all the good you have in your life right now.

Be grateful for all of the good you’ve yet to receive.

There’s no room for stress when you’re filled with gratitude.
 

 
 

9. Life List

Also known as a Bucket List – but I like focusing on living better.

The idea is to create a list of all of the big things that you would like to accomplish or experience.

Write down all of your biggest and wildest dreams and ideas!
 

 
 

10. Reverse Life List

Pretty much the opposite of the list above.

This is where you list out all of the awesome things you have already accomplished and experienced in your life!

If you think hard, you’ll likely discover you’ve accomplished more than you give yourself credit for.
 

 
 

11. Affirmations

Affirmations are just positive statements that you say to yourself.

There is something weirdly magical about speaking affirmations out loud.

It’s so much different than just repeating them in your head.

Bonus points if you do this in a mirror.
 

 
 

12. Try Photography

Take some photos – of anything!

You don’t even need a camera, you could just use the one on your phone.

Work on some new techniques or just take some selfies.
 

 
 

13. Get artistic

Get artistic in any way.

Pull out the watercolors you have stuffed in a drawer, colored pencils or even crayons and chalk.

Paint, draw or doodle.

Just get creative in whatever way feels right.
 

 
 

14. Craft

Try to upcycle something you already have with a DIY project or craft off of Pinterest.

Some common things you probably have around the house that you can upcycle include jars, tin cans, cardboard rolls and wine corks.
 

 
 

15. Cook

Try challenging yourself to make a meal with only the ingredients you already have in your house.

It can be tricky, but there are a few recipes out there with only a couple of ingredients!

If you can’t come up with an entire meal, you could always try baking up a dessert.
 

 
 
 
 

CLEANING

16. General decluttering

Most of us have an excess amount of stuff.

Anything that is no longer useful, important, or beautiful is probably just clutter.

Clutter makes it harder to concentrate or relax.

You could declutter a single drawer or closet or you could declutter your entire house.
 

 
 

17. Weed your Wardrobe

Donate things that don’t fit you, or you don’t wear any more.

Or just store your out of season clothes somewhere else.

If you have buttons that need sewing back on, take the time to do that.
 

 
 

18. Clean Out your Bags

Dump out out your bags, backpacks and purses.

Rescue all the tiny forgotten bobby pins, loose change, lip balms, receipts or whatever else might’ve gotten left behind.

You might even get lucky and find something you completely forgot about.
 

 
 

19. Change Bed Sheets

A simple act, but a nicely made bed can really make your bedroom look a lot neater.

Plus slipping into fresh, clean sheets at night is always nice.
 

 
 

20. Rearrange Furniture

Switching up your surroundings can help everything feel fresher.

Try out some new configurations of your rooms and see if the furniture might work better in a different way.
 

 

 

21. Organize your Fridge and Freezer

Organize your fridge and freezer to refresh yourself on the contents and dispose of anything that’s gone bad.

Remove items and wipe those surfaces that can get neglected.
 

 
 

22. Clean your Pantry

Keeping your food organized can help prevent food waste.

Like I mentioned in my Spring Declutter post, you can give foods that are still good, but you’re not going to eat, to someone else who might enjoy them.
 

 
 

23.Clean your Floors

If you live with little ones – pets or children – chances are your house could use a good sweeping, vacuuming or mopping/swiffering.

Make the extra effort to move small pieces of furniture and get underneath them too.

 
 

24. Clean Your Car

Ok this isn’t really a free producive thing to do at home – but near home.

If you’re someone who drives on a regular basis, a lot of things can accumulate in your car.

Even if you’re good about keeping it tidy, a little cleaning of your car inside or out never hurts!
 

 
 

25. Organize your Desktop

Junk can accumulate on your desktop like it can on the surfaces in your home.

Take some time to put files in the correct folders, delete things you no longer need, empty your recycling bin and change up your wallpaper.
 

 
 

26. Empty Your Inbox

Respond to the emails you’ve been putting off and then take time to unsubscribe to those unwanted emails – or at least mark them as spam.
 

 
 
 
 

PHYSICAL

 

27. Garden

Of all of the free productive things to do at home, this one might be the most satisfying.

Growing your own plants can be so fulfilling. You can try growing anything from flowers to herbs, vegetables and fruits.

You can take some seeds from something you’ve eaten, or you can purchase some seeds for less than a dollar.
 

 
 

28. Walk Outside

Taking a walk outside can recharge your batteries – with nature.

Take a walk to get some fresh air and clear your head.

Enjoy the weather if it’s nice and soak up some vitamin D from the sun’s rays.
 

 
 

29. Grounding / Earthing

Take your walk outside to the next level by doing it barefoot.

Grounding, or Earthing, is about reconnecting to the Earth.

You can do this by walking in grass, dirt or sand.
 

 
 

30. Stretch

Stretching will help you stay limber and keep your muscles strong and flexible.

Stretching is especially important before exercise since it will help prevent any injuries.

 
 

31. Yoga

I like to think of yoga as the love child of exercise and meditation.

Yoga can help to relax both your body and your mind.

There are a ton of instructional videos you can find on Youtube for free.
 

 
 

32. Workout Routine

It’s always a good time to develop a workout routine.

It can take time and research to find one that you can really get into and commit to.

Take some time to plan how you’re going to stay consistent.

 
 

33. Workout Challenge

There is such a variety of workout challenges available out there.

They can range from a week to a month or even more.

Challenge yourself to get snatched before the summer is over!
 

 
 

34. Take a Power Nap

Sometimes the best thing we can do is just shut down for a little while.

15-25 minutes is generally considered the ideal amount of time for a power nap.

However, if you have time to spare you can aim for 90 minutes – the amount of time it takes to complete a full sleep cycle.
 

 
 
 
 

MENTAL

 

35. Online Course

There are lots of places for you to learn online for free.

Learn a new skill or just some new information that you didn’t know before.
 

 
 

36. Watch a Documentary

We watch a lot of television for entertainment, but try watching it for education instead.

There are so many documentaries available out there, especially if you have any sort of streaming service.
 

 
 

37. Solve Puzzles

If you don’t have a physical puzzle that’s ok.

There are so many apps you can download for free!

It could be one with literal jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, sudoku or any other number of brain “training” things to solve.
 

 
 

38. Learn a Language

Start learning a new language, or brush up on the one that you learned in school.

There are plenty of apps and websites designed to help you with this for free!
 

 
 

39. Plan your Week

Plan out your days to get the most out of them. You don’t have to be going anywhere to make plans.

Maybe one day will be a work day, another will be a self-care day.

Give yourself something to look forward to.
 

 
 
 

40. Plan your Meals

Taking the time to plan out what meals you’re going to have throughout the week makes cooking so much easier.

You’ll be much less likely to resort to ordering a last minute pizza if you already know what you’re going to be making or having each day.
 

 
 

41. Plan a Trip

Traveling may or may not be an option right now, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan for a future trip!

Or even plan for your dream trip.

Sometimes the planning and anticipation is even better than the real thing.
 

 
 

 
 

OTHER

 

42. Check Your Finances

Login to your bank account and make sure there are no suspicious charges or strange fees and that everything looks like it should.

Double check for forgotten subscriptions and be sure to cancel them.
 

 
 

43. Start a Savings Account

Only have a checking account? Then take some time to set up a savings account that you can earn interest on!
 

 
 

44. Update Your Resume

Even if you aren’t currently looking for a job, it’ always a good idea to keep your resume up to date so that you don’t forget to add anything.
 

 

 

45. Do Odd Jobs

By odd jobs I mean those little tasks that you’ve been putting off.

Replace the batteries and light bulbs that you’ve been meaning to, touch up the paint on the walls, polish your jewelry, clean your makeup brushes and wipe the blades on your ceiling fans.

Those type of things.
 

 
 

46. Draw Tarot Cards

You don’t have to believe in tarot cards to enjoy pulling some.

If you already have a deck you can try a new spread, if you don’t there’s actually a surprising amount of tarot readings available on Youtube.

I like to think that the cards can help expose your inner mind and help you when you want to make decisions.

 
 

47. Do your Astrological Chart

Another thing that you don’t necessarily have to believe in to find interesting.

Most people are at least aware of their Western Sun sign, but there’s so much more to it.

Your chart is unique because it’s based on the sky at the date, time and location of your birth.

It can be interesting to explore.

Or maybe you’d like to delve into Chinese astrology instead.
 

 
 

48. Personality Quizzes

Take a quiz to discover what your dominant personality type is.

This isn’t something meant to box you in, but to help you better understand both your strengths and weaknesses.
 

 
Or they could just be just a fun way to pass the time!

 
 

49. Watch Motivational Content

Sometimes we just need to get something like a pep talk from someone else.

It could be a motivational video, or movie.

Watch something that makes you feel like you can accomplish anything – and then go accomplish!
 

 
 

That was a lot of different things! Which was your favorite?

I am confident that in this list you found at least one productive and free thing to do while you’re at home.

I thought about including a printable with all of these ideas, but the front would have to be too small.

Be sure to bookmark the page and come back when you need inspiration!

 

 
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