With the recent bout of cold nights and snowy weather, staying inside seems to be the only thing I do as of late. Days become longer, nights darker, and the weeks become monotonous. Never to despair, though, for I have come up with a list of activities that you can do to keep you occupied during the winter cold, or any day stuck indoors for that matter.

Art

Now, I know I’m going to look at the comments and say that not everyone is an artist. But here’s the thing - you don’t have to be! Art is about the process, not the product. Have fun with it! Sketch with pencils, or bring out a canvas and paint. Sculpt with clay or materials from around the house. Even just use some paper and make origami. It’s simple and super fun!

Music

An old but good way to pass the time is to just blast music. Go crazy, and just dance the night away! Hairbrush microphones and air guitars are all you need to succeed. Bored of the music you have? Make your own! If you have an instrument, try making something new. If you don’t, there are apps and programs to simulate instruments or do a cappella loops. There’s something for everyone!

Cooking

Yum! What’s better than making something that you can eat? Nothing, that’s what. Make some comfort food or try something new! Or, make your own recipe with what you have in the house. You just might discover the new best dish you ever made! Baking is fun too! I mean really, what’s better than a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies? Nothing, that’s what.

Games

Whether alone or in a packed house, games definitely pass the time in a totally fun way. Video games are always fun, especially if you can play multiplayer. My personal favorites are Smash and Mario Kart. Nothing like those games to fuel a little bit of friendly competition! More into card and board games? No worries, tabletop is also awesome! There’s plenty of competitive games, but also co-ops like Pandemic and Labyrinth. A little bit of D&D never hurt, either!

Movies

Feel like just taking it easy? Don’t forget the old classic of plopping down in front of the TV with a cup of cocoa and a fluffy blanket. Make a pillow fort if you’re super dedicated to the craft of the chill. Want to spice things up? Try Netflix Roulette! It’s a free service that shows you something random to watch on Netflix. It’s super fun, and you might discover a new favorite!

In short, the most important thing is to stay creative! Changing things up can be the cure for the bad weather blues.