Updated on March 25th, 2025
AD – Sponsored | Many of us are still in lockdown, and I wanted to share 10 creative activities that you can mostly do from the comfort of your home.
#1 Painting
I love to paint with watercolors, and I also have acrylics that I use for the clay charms that I make. Watercolors are affordable, and you usually paint on watercolor paper, which is thicker than regular paper. Watercolor painting is great for adults and kids as it is easy to fix mistakes, and it is not as messy as acrylic and other paints. Acrylic is also affordable and versatile, and you can pretty much paint on any surface (canvas, paper, wood, polymer clay, stone, fabric, and glass), but it dries quickly and cannot be altered when dry, unlike watercolor.
Other options for paint are gouache, which is similar to acrylic but more expensive, and oil paint, which is also more expensive. However, oil paints are great for painting on canvas as it dries slowly, but it requires a longer time commitment than the other paints. Whatever paint you chose, you can paint anything around you, your favorite things, something abstract, or you can even follow a Bob Ross video on YouTube.
#2 Drawing and Coloring
All you need to draw is paper and something to draw with such as a pencil, pen, marker, etc. You can also draw on your tablet if you have one or even on your phone. As far as coloring, you can draw something then color it or you can buy coloring books, and there are plenty of options for adult coloring books. You can also print out adult coloring pages for free. My daughter especially loves drawing and coloring at home.
#3 Photography
You do not need a fancy camera or any experience to take photos. You can use your phone’s camera and take photos around your home or you can go for a walk and visit the park, forest, beach, or anywhere else you would like and take photos of anything that you find interesting. I especially love taking photos of flowers in the Spring and of nature and animals year-round. I also let my daughter use my phone if she wants to take a photo. There are affordable cameras for kids like the VTech Kidizoom or Fujifilm Instax Camera as well as affordable cameras for adults on Amazon.
#4 Writing
You can write anything whether it is your daily thoughts, poems, short stories, a novel, a play, or even a song. You can write on your phone, computer, or you can have a dedicated journal. Also, you can write letters to your friends or loved ones, and you can try out calligraphy as well. If you do not have a blog already, you can consider starting a blog. You can write about anything on your blog from your daily life, creative writing, recipes, reviews, advice, etc. I love writing and having a blog because I am able to get my thoughts out there.
#5 Graphic Design
If you have a blog or website, you can have a go at creating your own header and logo or even social media graphics like Pinterest pins and Instagram posts. You can use templates on Canva and download online graffiti fonts from Font Bundles that you can then upload on Canva when creating the design. You can also use the fonts to create business cards, cards for special occasions, or even a weekly schedule planner.
#6 DIY Crafts
If you have a ton of cardboard boxes, you can make them into something fun. I made a toy store using cardboard boxes for my daughter to play with. You can also make a scrapbook with old photos and decorate it, turn toilet paper or paper towel rolls into characters, or do seasonal crafts for the holidays. The ideas are endless, and Google and Pinterest are great resources for craft ideas.
#7 Cooking and Baking
I cook dinner most evenings and I love baking as well. If you are a beginner, I recommend downloading the Tasty app or browsing their website as it has tons of easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert recipes as well as recipes that require 5 ingredients or less. I recommend the Inside-Out Breakfast Burritos (there are 5 steps and they are great for breakfast), Easy Butter Chicken (I use tofu, but the recipe has 9 steps and a video to follow along with as well), and 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (they taste delicious and my daughter helps make them too) to start off with. Even if you are not a beginner, the Tasty app is a great resource for recipes, and if you have any cookbooks, you can pull them out and see if there is anything you would like to make.
#8 Makeup and Nail Art
We are not going out as often, but that does not mean you cannot be creative and have fun with makeup. You do not have to buy new makeup, and you can use the makeup you already have. If you are unsure what makeup look to do, I have done various makeup challenges on my blog including the Draw My Makeup Challenge, 6 Minute vs 60 Minute Makeup Challenge, and My Daughter Picks My Makeup Challenge. If you are wanting to do your makeup, be sure to clean your makeup brushes before doing so if it has been a while since the last time you washed your brushes.
Along with makeup, you can also do nail art. Again, you do not have to go out and buy new nail polish, and you can use what you have. Simply Nailogical started out as a nail art channel on YouTube, and she has plenty of tutorials. There are also tons of other nail art tutorials on YouTube.
#9 Reading
If you are like me, you have a rather long TBR (To Be Read) list. You can set time aside to read that book you have been putting off. You can also try out listening to audiobooks. Audiobooks are a game-changer for me because I can do chores around the house like putting away laundry while listening to a book. You can also download the Libby app where you can read ebooks or listen to audiobooks for free through your library.
#10 Virtual Tour
The last suggestion I have is to take a virtual tour. There are tons of museums and art galleries that offer virtual tours, and Google Arts and Culture has a huge list of places where you can see online exhibits as well as explore the museum. You can virtually tour landmarks, national parks, theme parks, and watch live cams for zoos and aquariums. There are plays, musicals, and concerts that you can watch online as well.
For even more ideas, I recommend reading Life In Full Flavour’s 10 Lockdown Activities to Inspire Creativity.
Well you’re a pretty awesome artist and you can bake! She’s talented!
Thank you!
You’re very welcome!
Sorry, I’m feeling talkative today.
That’s fine! Haha
Thank you for sharing all of these. In lock down I discover my love for painting and now I enjoy in my new hobi.
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You’re welcome & that’s wonderful you discovered your love for painting!
I doing all of these activities, except graphic design and they really help me. Also I learn new language and writing new blog posts.
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That’s great you’ve been busy! What language are you learning? I just started learning Danish!
Fab ideas! I’ve dabbled in baking a little more during lockdown, and attempted watercolours (although yet to paint anything successfully, without all the colours running hehe) x
Thank you! That’s great you’ve done a little baking & you’ll get the hang of watercolors if you keep practicing!
Thank you for sharing this list. For me main activities are blog, coloring, reading and baking.
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You’re welcome! I enjoy blogging, reading & baking too!
Ooh, i haven’t done a virtual tour yet! I think 9/10 of these I’ve definitely at least attempted, but that I haven’t even thought of!
You should definitely try a virtual tour! There are tours for pretty much everything!
Water color is i think the best medium for paints. Adult books i know. Photography i love. Cardboard boxes yea, those shoeboxes my sis’ kids play with. Yes to makeup and baking. I have a long tbr list too but i like physical books, not sure if i can ever do audiobooks though ive heard they are good, but i enjoy the paper. Virtual tour ive never tried and just saved the link you gave to explore. Very relatable post and probably the best lifestyle options you gave. Love to your daughter! xxIsa A. Bloggerhttp://bit.ly/39f9FN0
Thank you! I love watercolor painting, but acrylics are nice too! I love photography too along with doing my makeup & baking! You should give an audiobook a try to see if you like it. It’s nice to listen to an audiobook when you’re doing chores like putting up laundry. Virtual tours are so fun!
Love these different ideas for lockdown activities! I started painting and got somewhat far with watercoloring until I got bored with it. I should go back to it though! Cooking is a great thing to do during the lockdown! You can actually baby sit your preparation and cooking, versus having to do other things. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ✨
Thank you! I need to get back into watercolor painting again! It’s a fun activity & cooking is always great too
Virtual tours are such a great idea! Definitely gonna try some with the kids.
I hope they enjoy it!
Nice ideas! I love photography and cooking. Reading is also a great source of inspiration for me.
Thank you! Me too!!!
I didn’t know about virtual tours so that’s a really good suggestion! Your other suggestions are great, it’s all about keeping yourself busy and productive.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Virtual tours are great & you can pretty much do a virtual tour from anywhere!
Painting is an awesome one I think many people don’t think they can do or don’t feel like doing. But doing it anyway can really lift your mood! Reading is a must for me as I’m always trying to gain more knowledge and improve upon my old ways. Some really great tips here!
Thank you! Yes! You don’t have to have any skills to paint & I’m not the best painter, but I still enjoy it nonetheless! Reading is always great too!
Taking a virtual tour is such an awesome idea!! I’ll definitely have to try doing one soon! I’ve been doing a tonne of cooking and baking over lockdown so it’ll be fun to do something a little different! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’ve been doing a lot of cooking & baking too & virtual tours are so fun to do!
This pandemic has made me realise how much I love cooking actually and it’s been great! I had Hello Fresh for a week and absolutely adored taking the time to cook dinner from scratch every night! x
I love cooking too & that’s nice you got Hello Fresh!
I love all of these activities! Painting is something I was briefly interested in and I had a lot of fun with it. Life in lockdown gets boring so maybe that is what I need to spice up my life a bit again. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I haven’t painted in a while, but I have a set of acrylics & watercolors so one day I would like to sit down & paint again!
I think the best thing about lockdown was all the creative things I could get up to especially writing, reading, and baking x
Yes I agree!
These are great ideas and I think I love them all lol. I really took up photography during lockdown. I’ve always loved taking pictures so I’ve taken the time to learn all about the topic!
Thank you! I loved photography ever since I was in high school & it’s such a fun activity to do
reading and nail art all the way baby!!
Yes!!!
These are some great activities to do during lockdown to keep you entertained. Thank you for sharing. X
Thank you & you’re welcome!
Great suggestions! My son and I have done a few virtual tours, some of them are really good. We are still mostly in a lockdown here, so I appreciate the suggestions. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! That’s great you’ve been doing virtual tours with your son!
Since lockdown all I’ve really done is colour, read and cook. I have gotten bored but I have been loving having the time to do things I don’t get to usually! X
That’s nice you’ve been coloring, reading & cooking. I’ve enjoyed the time as well!
I love all of these creative ideas! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll definitely be using these x
You’re welcome!
I did so much baking and cooking!! Reading as well. All wonderful ideas to pass the time in lockdown!
Thanks! That’s great you’ve been baking, cooking & reading!
I’ve been doing a lot of writing and cooking. It would be fun to get more into photography.
I’ve been doing a lot of writing & cooking too! I haven’t been doing as more photography lately, but it’s still nice!
During lockdown I definitely started baking and reading more. Something fun that I am looking forward to doing with our kids is having a paint night at home. I think painting is such a fun activity.
This post is so helpful to those who need some new activities.
xo Erica
Thanks! That’s great you’ve started baking & reading more! Having a paint night is so fun!
Love all these suggestions! I think reading and writing have been my true saviors during lockdown, really miss taking pictures and painting, so might get some time to do it again while still at home, thank you for sharing x
Thank you! I’ve been enjoying reading & writing as well! I need to get back into painting too!
Great ideas here. The sprogs got all the cardboard boxes out this week and painted them. It’s surprising how much fun kids can have with some cardboard and paints!! x
Thank you! Haha that’s nice they had fun painting cardboard!
You and your daughter have been far more creative than us during lockdown! Flora’s done a lot of painting, photography, and baking though, of which I am a very happy and lucky recipient 🙂 Fab ideas, Karalee, also for the summer holidays! x
Thank you! That’s nice your daughter has been painting, doing photography & baking! Haha
These are some fun and simple things to stay creative and calm during lockdowns. Drawing, baking, and writing have helped me too. Recently, I have done a virtual tour of a museum, and it’s fun.
Nice Photos:)
Thank you! That’s great you’ve been drawing, baking, writing & doing virtual tours!
These are all such great ideas to do during lockdown. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you!
These ideas are great reminders! My daughter and I are going to do nail art tomorrow. I wish I could take her to a spa for a treat, but going to Target and getting some cool stick-ons will have to do. Thanks for posting such fun activities.
You’re welcome & that’s nice you did nail art with your daughter!
Gotta love a covid-friendly list of activities! I’ve been painting a lot, but I would love to bake more often.. maybe when I have less to do in uni, nowadays my days just fly on by so incredibly fast.
I love your watercolor paintings & I hope you’ve had some time to bake!
Love all of these ideas! I’ve been reading & doing some digital art loads recently 🙂 x
Thank you! I enjoy reading too & that’s awesome you’ve been doing digital art!
I’ve been doing so much writing throughout this lockdown but I’d love to do some baking! Great suggestions.
Thank you! That’s great you’ve been writing a lot! I love baking!
Reading is really the only thing I have time for outside of my work. I’ve worked from home for nearly 6 years, so lockdown really wasn’t much of a change. If anything, it just meant MORE work at home than I had before and less time to rest haha. But sometimes on the weekends, I squeeze in some time for baking too 🙂 Great suggestions here!
That’s nice you’re still able to have some time for reading & I hope you’ve been able to have some time to rest! Baking is so fun!
So many fab suggestions on this list. I love the idea of a virtual tour, especially as we can’t really go to the places in person at the moment. I have definitely upped my crafting this past year, I don’t know what I’m going to do when lockdown ends…who am I kidding, i will still be a crafting maniac 🤣🤣
thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Yes it’s great being able to virtually tour places! & I’ve love seeing all the crafts you’ve been making!
Love this post, Karalee! OMG when I first saw the featured photo, I thought it was chicken nuggets Lol not cookies. I have been trying to learn how to bake as well as lots of DIY’s during lockdown. Thank you so much xx
Lynn | http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you! Haha that’s hilarious 😂
That’s wonderful you’re learning to bake! I bought some Easter egg chocolates so I can use them to make cookies soon!
Reading and writing have been my saving grace during lockdown. I do wish I had spent more time being crafty and maybe learned to bake.
Great activities, especially with the Easter holidays coming up x x
It’s great that you’ve still been reading & writing during lockdown!
I love to bake & it would be nice if you learned one day!
Thank you!
Fantastic list – I love inspiration like this. I’ll second the recommendation for Canva when it comes to graphic design, blog post covers etc. Oh, and I LOVE Karin Slaughter. Pretty Girls is awesome!
Caz xx
Thank you! Yes I love using Canva for my featured images on my posts & Pinterest pins!
I’ve had the book for a while, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it haha. That’s great to hear you liked it!
I’ve been doing a lot of piano during lockdown! I need to do start using camera more!
I’ve played piano for many years before I started college, but I would like to get back into it!
Yes! You don’t need an expensive camera to take good photos
Photography is such a good hobby…. as it can also get you back out into nature!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Yes exactly! I love going for walks in the forest & taking photos of the plants & the harbor.
I did most of these activities during lockdown. Except for nail arts. Maybe I shout try that too. Thank you for sharing.
That’s great you’ve been creative during lockdown!
I haven’t done anything too out there with my nails, but it’s fun!
Lovely suggestions 😀 baking sounds good 😘
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Thank you! I loved baking!
I love painting. It so much fun and I love getting to be creative. I personally feel like since lockdown I have been able to do so many things that I personally don’t think I would have done before like start blogging. I always loved writing but this time has caused me to enjoy writing so much more.
I love painting too! Yes I’ve been able to do a lot too & I’ve had more time to focus on my blog.
Thanks for your comment 😀