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18 Indoor Activities You'll Actually Look Forward To This Winter

As we continue to grow acquainted with the great indoors (hello, 2020!), we’re determined to make it an experience that’s memorable and fun. That’s exactly why we pulled together a list of great things to do in the comfort of your own home, from cooking to enjoying live music and plenty in-between. So, scroll on down to get excited for a night (or day) in!

1. Organize your space

Since we’ve all been spending more time inside, why not make your living environment as enjoyable as possible? Take control of clutter and optimize your space. Not only will doing so likely offer a sense of accomplishment, studies have shown an organized living area can positively impact productivity.

2. Take an online cooking course

Up your culinary skills with an online cooking course. There are plenty out there to choose from depending on what you’re interested in learning – whether you’re an aspiring Cake Boss, curious in expanding your gluten-free goodie recipes, or want to be taught from some of the best talent out there á la Wolfgang Puck’s Masterclass.

3. Stream a concert

A range of artists are offering livestream concerts, so you can still enjoy live music from some of your favorites while hanging out in your living room (and skipping any long lines). Check out Billboard, which has a good running list of all upcoming performances.

4. Throw a virtual dinner party

We recently wrote about how to throw a fabulous virtual dinner or holiday party, so why not get creative and plan a fun night catching up with some of your favorite people via FaceTime or Zoom? Bonus: You’ll only have your own dishes to clean up!

5. DIY spa day

Create a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home. Try an aromatherapy shower spray that can be spritzed to create a relaxing steam room effect. And while you’re at it, lather up with an indulgent body scrub or exfoliator. You might also want to kick your feet up after layering on a hydrating face mask to reveal glowing skin.

6. Sign up for a free Ivy League course

The eight Ivy League colleges across the country — Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Yale — are offering 438 free online courses, so take a look and find one that speaks to you.

7. Explore learning a new language

If you’ve been interested in learning a new language, why not take the plunge? All you need is a computer or phone, and you can immerse yourself in your language of choice. A few highly rated online language services include Babbel and Memrise.

8. Fire up a feel-good movie

Sometimes the night calls for a little escapism and a quality rom com can do the trick. From classics like Pretty Womanand My Best Friend’s Weddingto more modern flicks like Crazy Rich Asiansand Love Actually,you’re guaranteed to find one that’ll leave your spirits high.

reading

9. Catch up on literary classics

Another great activity for a chilly day is curling up with a good book. And really, there's no better time than now to catch up on a few literary classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudiceand Catcher in the Rye (to name a few), that perhaps you haven’t read in a while, or never gotten to.

10. Add some indoor plants

If it’s cold and gray outside, why not add a splash of color inside courtesy of indoor plants? As an added bonus: They not only look beautiful, but help purify the air. You might even consider a plant subscription box from companies like The Sill or House Plant Box to discover a variety of plant options for your home.

11. Try a new makeup look

Even if you don’t have any fancy upcoming plans, it’s always fun to experiment with a new look, and several makeup tutorials out there have you covered. For example, James Charles demonstrates in this video how to create that perfect brow and eyeshadow application which can be tricky. If you’re not sure how to contour, but are interested in giving it a whirl, check out this beginner tutorial by Tina Yong.

12. Explore meditation

Let’s face it: We could all use a little more zen in our lives. It’s likely you’ve heard about the many benefits of mediation, but maybe you haven’t really gotten around to integrating it into your routine. Headspace and Glo both offer programs for first-time meditators where you can learn basics like how to sit and where to place your attention

13. Break a sweat with an online fitness class

Get those endorphins going with an online workout class. You can choose from a variety of options at your fingertips, whether it’s yoga, barre, HIIT, Pilates, kickboxing, dance, strength training and more. A few you might want to investigate include Peloton, ClassPass and DailyBurn. While these are subscription based after a free trial, there are plenty of free online workout videos on YouTube like these ones from PopSugar Fitness.

14. Discover a new podcast

If you’re feeling a bit sick of Netflix, why not discover a new podcast? There’s virtually any and all kinds of listening content out there, whether you’re looking for the latest in politics, true crime, lifestyle, technology, entertainment, comedy or sports. Check out this roundup from TIME about the best podcasts of 2020 so far.

15. Dream up your next vacation

It’s always ideal to have something to look forward to, and if hopping on a plane isn’t in the cards for a while, we can at least dream about it, right? You can even get some inspiration about your next vacation destination, courtesy of some national and international hotels that are live streaming their delightful surroundings like the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, CA, Malibu Beach Inn in Malibu, CA, Aspen Square Hotel in Aspen, CO, the Inbal in Jerusalem, Israel, and Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como, Italy.

16. Get started on that side hustle you’ve been thinking about

Have an idea for a side project or hustle you’ve been dreaming about starting? It might just be the time to put more serious thought into the steps you’d need to take to really put it into motion.

mocha hot chocolate

17. Make a hot drink and do some stargazing

Whip up a hot, delicious drink like our Mocha Hot Chocolate, bundle up, ditch your phone, and head outside for a bit of stargazing. (Okay, we know this isn’t technically an indoor activity, but it can be done mere steps from your abode). The cold air can actually feel quite refreshing and gazing at the wide-open skies can be very relaxing. Here’s a handy guide for stargazing basics and becoming more familiar with the evening sky.

18. Virtually visit an aquarium

Watch creatures of the sea glide through the water thanks to live cams and videos from aquariums like Monterey Bay Aquarium, New England Aquarium and the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

Want more ideas? Check out our #WellnessFromHome guide!