INTERACTIVE: 35 Fun Things to Do When You're Stuck Inside During Winter

It's that time of the year again. The all too familiar cold days and nights during the winter is here. You are stuck inside, yet again, due to the latest cold weather. But it doesn't need to be an all-day drag when there are many fun activities at hand. Try any of these entertaining ideas below and you would have turned your cold winter days and nights into fun stuffs.

1. Plan Your Summer Vacation

What better time to get excited for your summer vacation than on a cold winter's day? Check out warm weather websites and magazines, and plan a future getaway with friends and family while you have the downtime. It could be moving from one city to another during the summer. You don't necessarily have to leave the country to have a good time.

2. Make an Awesome Breakfast

Usually because of early morning classes, we are left with skipping breakfasts or making do with the 'normal-level' noodles or spags or bread and juice. Now is the time to try and cook a decent breakfast meal. YouTube and Google can help tremendously in this regard. A simple search of "decent breakfast recipes" can turn up wonders.

3. Nap and Nap

When was the last time you had a daytime nap? I mean proper one that you just coil down inside your duvet/blanket and drift off with good music playing in the background?  Relive your childhood and take an uninhibited, no alarm clock, midday nap in a cozy place.

4. Take an Online Class or Tutorial

Take advantage of the time to learn something new for a few hours by taking an easy online class or tutorial. Search online for free options ranging from intro language classes to DIY tutorials to crafts.

5. Happy Hour/Smoothie Time

Assuming it's noon where you are, use this lazy day to whip up an exotic cocktail, favorite glass of wine, or a delicious hot cocktail to enjoy. You can never go wrong with a decent smoothie blend. Add some small appetizers to the mix to make for your own little happy hour.

6. Redecorate your room/home

Moving things around in your home can be fun and refreshing if you are into decorating. Try hanging your pictures in different places, rearranging your furniture, or dreaming up new ideas online.

7. Pajama Day in Bed

Turn your day inside into the ultimate time to do nothing but relax. Get on your most comfortable pajamas, gather some cozy blankets,  and round up reading materials or watch TV, all while you do some serious lounging and thinking in bed.

8. Take a Luxurious Bath

Get your bubble bath going and make it extra luxurious with nice music, candles, and perhaps a nice book or beverage. And, if you have a partner/bf/gf/etc, an extra fun daytime bath with plenty of fun and bubbles can be a fun change from the usual boring routine.

9. Shop Your Closet

Put the extra time you have today to playing dress-up. Try out some new combos, and put together outfits for upcoming events or outings. This can help you organize your things, remove unused items, and discover cool outfits you never knew you had.

10. Check Out Some Good Blogs [www.scantygela.com]

There are some great blogs (in addition to Scanty Gela Blog, of course) that can help you better your life or learn some great tips. Check out some of my favorites, like Bella Naija and Sahara Reporters.

11. Have an Afternoon Tea Party

Have your own tea party right at home. You can get fancy and use nice china and put out little sandwiches and treats. This is also a fun activity you can do with your friends, substituting hot chocolate for tea if you want.

12. Catch Up With Family and Friends

Getting in touch with the parents, grandparents or a long-lost friend over the phone or Skype or via social media makes for a great indoor activity and can be a lot of fun for all.

13. Video Game Marathon

Anyone into gaming probably doesn't need a snow day excuse to play, but a day stuck inside provides a wonderful opportunity for a video game marathon. Or, involve your friends and do competitions or learn some new games on your tablet or computer.

14. Popcorn and Movie Day

Sort of a given on any winter day, but pop up some popcorn and get comfy on the couch with your favorite movie(s).

15. Scrapbooking

Even if you've never scrapbooked before, now is a great time to make a book of the kids' art or your accomplishments, or a gift for a friend's special occasion. Don't know what it means? Google it.

16. Bake Something

For those that has an oven at home, now might be the ideal time to try out your baking skills. You can try new stuffs or go with the good old meat-pie, cake or chin-chin or any pie. Baking can be fun when done with friends too. Try one today.

17. Pretend Summer Day

If you desperately need to escape the harsh winter, bring summer to you. Look up tropical sites, make a fruit juice, and put on some Bob Marley kinda music. You can also get in bathing suits and flip flops and fill the tub to "go swimming."

18. Catch Up on Your Shows

Another given for a cold day stuck inside, but catching up on your favorite shows that you missed during busy weeks is a fun way to pass the time. Or, indulge in some mindless daytime TV without the guilt.

19. Make Soup

Making a nice pot of homemade hot soup is not only easy, but it's also very satisfying on a winter's day. Try a good recipe, could be African soup or Mediterranean. Whatever gives, it gives you something hot, fun and fulfilling to do.

20. Magazine Roundup

Spend the day catching up on all those magazines you've always wanted to read. Or, if you can plan ahead, buy or download some fun magazines just as you would for a long plane flight, and sit back and enjoy during your day indoors.

21. Music Library

Enjoy all that music you have been collecting and listen to some of the tunes in your music library. You can also take the time to make new mixes and organize your collection once and for all.

22. Make a Fancy Dinner

Since there is time to actually enjoy cooking and eating a quality meal, why not make yourself or the family a delicious dinner? You can set the table with fancy dinnerware and make it like a restaurant for a change from the usual.

23. Workout

If working out is your thing, don't despair if you can't get to the gym or go outside. Do your own mini at-home workout using weights, a program online, or a workout DVD to get that much-needed exercise. Dancing energetically to your favourite tune can also be a huge indoor workout activity.

24. Brain Teasers

Games like Sudoku, crosswords, and word finds are great ways to relax and enjoy your time. Get cozy with a warm blanket and do some games from the newspaper, online, or any collections you may have.

25. Homemade Hot Chocolate

Make a delicious HOT cocoa recipe, or vary it up by adding things like cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, or a dollop of vanilla ice cream. For die-hard chocolate lovers, try a hot chocolate recipe using real chocolate pieces as well.

26. Mail a Letter

Spend some time writing a letter to someone special, which you can mail later on. Everyone loves to get a handwritten note, and it will be a nice surprise.

27. Window Shop Online

Take the time to browse around to get ideas or prices for any items you may be shopping for in the future. Just be sure you have the willpower not to aimlessly buy if you see things that catch your eye.

28. A Good Read

Curl up with a good book on the couch or by the fire while the winter weather keeps you inside.

29. Beauty Treatments

Give yourself a mini spa day with a variety of DIY beauty treatments. Whether it's a nice manicure/pedicure, a relaxing scrub, or an avocado mask, it's a good day to beautify and relax.

30. Arrange Your Photos

A whole day indoors gives you plenty of time to go through all those photos you have taken. You can make an album online or just enjoy looking through old shots and smiling your way through the cold.

31. Yoga Hour

Give your body and mind a relaxing day by doing some yoga. If you're new to the practice, there are some great beginner yoga sites and apps that can help you get started. Follow your session with some meditation and feel good for the day.

32. Plan Your Next Get-Together

Take the time to plan some upcoming fun events for you and your friends by thinking up a great dinner party menu, theme party, or a fun pub crawl. You can have fun planning the menus, looking up details, and coming up with the guest list.

33. Board Games

Break out the Monopoly or other great board games you may have on hand for a game day marathon with your family or roommates.

35. Organize Something

You may need to skip this if you view organizing as a chore, but for many who get pure satisfaction after it's done, it's a rewarding task when you're not rushed. Pick a spot you have always wanted to organize, like the junk drawer, your jewelry drawer, or the laundry room closet, and go to town.

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