11 Fun Things To Do Online

The internet is a fascinating tool, yet most people don’t take full advantage of all that it offers. Indeed, you’ll often hear people wishing to take a break from the web because they find it boring. But in reality, it’s not the internet that’s boring, but how those people are using it. 

If you’re continually just scrolling through social media, then yep, the internet will likely become a little dull after a while. But remember that the internet is more than social media. While the biggest websites may get the most traffic, there are plenty of sites out there that offer a fun and engaging way to spend time online. We’ll take a look at a few below. The next time you’re looking to liven up your web experience, give one of them a try.

Take an Online Course

Some people learn because they want to progress in their careers. Others learn simply because they want to. If you’re in the latter camp, then why not look at taking one of the many online courses offered by the world’s leading educational institutions? Sites like ClassCentral.com offer more than 200,000 courses from esteemed universities such as Harvard, Duke, and the University of Michigan. Alas, you won’t get a qualification at the end — for that, you’ll need to enroll in the course for real — but you’ll still be building your bank of learning, and that’s arguably just as valuable. 

Travel the World on Google Maps

It sure would be nice if we could jet around the world whenever we please. But unfortunately, there are two minor details — work schedules and bank accounts — that get in the way. Happily, the web offers the chance to explore the world from the comfort of your own home. Google really has done some heroic work by mapping the entire world with a camera. By jumping into street view (or using Google Earth), you can take a virtual trip to pretty much anywhere on the planet. It’s not the same as being there in person, sure, but it makes for a happy alternative until you get to visit for real!

Explore The World’s Best Museum and Art Galleries

If you prefer to travel as a way to enrich your cultural understanding, then you can always consider virtually visiting the world’s best museums and art galleries. Many of the world’s leading cultural institutions have put their collections online, which means you can see many famous works of art — and those by up-and-coming artists — just by sitting on the couch. If you’ve always dreamed of visiting The Louvre or the British Museum, but can’t plan a trip just yet, then this can help you get a sense of what awaits you when you finally go. 

Play Old-School Games

There’s no shortage of great new games. Indeed, according to one report, there are around 10,000 games released each year on Steam alone. But it’s not just new games that are available. There are plenty of old-school games ready to play, too. For example, you can play minesweeper or solitaire, two games that people of a certain age probably spent a lot of time playing in their youth. You can also find classic arcade games, as well as games that were available for the early consoles, such as the SEGA Megadrive. It’s a fun, nostalgic way to pass some time — and you’ll likely find that you return to them again and again, too. 

Build Your Family Tree

It was possible to build a family tree in the pre-internet era, but boy, it must have been difficult. You’d have to comb through archive documents, and if you happened to miss a reference to your last name, then that was just too bad. Today, it couldn’t be easier. There are plenty of websites that have digitalitized historic records, which means that getting started with your family tree can be as simple as signing up for an account and making a search. There’s a list of genealogy websites on this site that can guide you through which sites can help you. 

Take a Yoga Class

There aren’t too many things that can have a profoundly positive impact on your physical and mental well-being, but yoga is one of them. And what’s perhaps most impressive of all is that yoga can be completely free. While you may want to join a paid class at some point, beginners can easily get started by following along with one of the many free online classes available. This website runs through the best yoga YouTube channels. Note that not all classes will be suitable for beginners, but the majority of channels will have some that are appropriate for newbies.

Learn a New Language

As with most things on this list, it was possible to learn a new language in the pre-internet world. But it must have been difficult. You’d have to read the language rules from a book, or pay someone in your local area to teach you. Both of those options may have been expensive and were not guaranteed to be effective. Today, there are plenty of engaging, affordable ways to learn a language. Even if you don’t have a reason to learn, it can still be fun to pick up the basics of a foreign language. Plus, it’ll help to keep your mind sharp, and you’ll find that people are very impressed if you ever have an opportunity to use what you’ve learned in the real world!

See What’s Happening In Your Local Area

We can sometimes think of the web as a device that keeps us physically apart from other people. But it can also be used to connect with people, too. Take a look at sites like Meetup.com, and you’ll find that there are plenty of people organizing things nearby — and that you’re invited. Whether it’s going for a walk in nature, trying a new sport, or learning a new language with others, it’s a great way to make new friends. 

Watch a TED Talk

The internet was originally designed to be a tool that facilitated the exchange of ideas. And maybe there’s no better modern incarnation of that ethos than the TED Talk series, which sees some of the most brilliant minds of today’s world sharing ideas that’ll have you thinking deeply about the world around you. You can lose many hours watching TED Talks, but, unlike other time-zapping activities, this one will actually benefit you. Plus, watching these videos will ensure that you always have something to discuss at dinner parties. 

Find a Great New Podcast

It’s a great time to discover podcasts. At one point in the not-too-distant past, it looked as if podcasts were finished. Then they came roaring back. There are podcasts in just about every genre, so whatever you’re interested in, there’ll be a number of quality shows you can listen to. 

Start a Website

Finally, rather than waiting for someone else to create a website that entertains you, why not look at starting your own website? It couldn’t be easier in this day and age to grab a domain name, build a website, and get it online. There’s no shortage of things you could make your website about. It’s best to start with something you’re passionate about and see where it leads to. Most of the successful websites you’ve heard of began as passion projects, and look where they ended up. While we’re not saying that you’ll get rich from your website, there’s certainly a possibility!