TL;DR / Key Takeaways
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It’s spelled “bored,” not “board.” If you’re uninterested or restless, you’re bored.
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Boredom with friends doesn’t mean something is wrong - it often means routines need shaking up.
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The best things to do when bored are simple, low-pressure, and shared.
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You don’t need money, planning, or perfect vibes to have fun together.
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Online and offline boredom breakers both count - especially for students and office workers.
Introduction: Being Bored Together Is More Common Than You Think
You’re sitting with your friends. Phones out. Someone sighs and says, “I’m so bored.”
No one disagrees.
This moment happens everywhere - dorm rooms, offices, group chats, living rooms. And it raises the same quiet question every time:
What are we supposed to do now?
If you’ve ever searched things to do with your friends when you’re bored, fun things to do when bored, or even stuff to do when bored, you’re not alone. Millions of people type those exact phrases every month.
This article is a practical, no-hype guide to real things you can actually do with friends when boredom hits - whether you’re students, coworkers killing time after work, or just humans stuck in a routine.
We’ll also clear up one surprisingly common question along the way: how do you spell bored?
First, Let’s Clear This Up: How Do You Spell “Bored”?
This matters more than people admit.
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Bored → feeling uninterested, restless, or unstimulated
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Board → a flat piece of wood or a committee
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Boredom → the feeling itself
So if you’re saying “I have nothing to do”, “I feel restless”, or “time is dragging”, the correct spelling is bored.
You’re not bored of spelling anymore - we promise.
Why Boredom Hits Harder With Friends Around
Being bored alone is one thing. Being bored together feels heavier.
That’s because boredom with friends usually means:
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You’ve exhausted your usual hangout routines
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Everyone’s waiting for someone else to suggest something
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Decision fatigue kicks in (“I don’t care, you choose”)
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Phones quietly replace conversation
This isn’t a friendship problem. It’s a stimulation problem.
The fix isn’t doing something big - it’s doing something different.
Things to Do With Your Friends When You’re Bored at Home
No plans. No money. No energy. This is where boredom thrives - and where it’s easiest to beat.
1. Play “Low-Effort” Games (The Ones That Don’t Feel Like Games)
You don’t need a console or board games.
Try:
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Would You Rather (but make it weird or personal)
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Two Truths and a Lie
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Ranking random things (best snacks, worst movies, most overrated trends)
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Guess the lyric or movie from one line
These work because they create interaction, not competition.
2. Watch Something Bad on Purpose
Not every watch session needs to be meaningful.
Ideas:
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Old reality TV seasons
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Low-budget movies with terrible reviews
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Childhood cartoons you forgot existed
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YouTube rabbit holes (reaction videos, strange documentaries)
Commentary is half the fun.
3. Cook or Assemble Something Together
It doesn’t need to be impressive.
Examples:
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Make the worst pizza possible
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Create a snack using only what’s already in the kitchen
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Try a viral recipe without instructions
The activity matters less than the shared mess.
Fun Things to Do When Bored Outside With Friends
Sometimes boredom just means you’re indoors too long.
4. Walk Without a Destination
This sounds boring - until you do it.
Walking:
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Removes pressure to “do” something
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Encourages conversation naturally
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Often leads to unexpected places
Many people report their best conversations happen during aimless walks.
5. People-Watch and Make Up Stories
Sit somewhere public and:
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Guess strangers’ backstories
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Invent dramatic narratives
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Try to guess who’s on a first date
It’s harmless, creative, and surprisingly engaging.
6. Do Something Slightly Unproductive Together
Examples:
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Thrifting without buying anything
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Visiting a bookstore or library just to browse
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Going to a park with no plan
Unstructured time often cures boredom better than planned activities.
Stuff to Do When Bored as Students or Office Workers
Boredom hits hardest when time feels controlled - classes, shifts, deadlines.
7. Micro-Challenges
Set small, silly goals:
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Who can find the weirdest article online?
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Who can explain their job or major in 30 seconds?
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Who can make the worst presentation slide?
Short challenges reintroduce play into rigid environments.
8. Start a Shared “Ongoing Thing”
Not a big commitment - just continuity.
Examples:
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A shared note with ideas, jokes, or quotes
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A playlist you all add to weekly
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A running inside joke or story
Boredom fades when there’s something to return to.
Online Things to Do When Bored With Friends
Not all friends are physically together - especially students and remote workers.
9. Play Simple Browser Games Together
You don’t need downloads or accounts.
Quick, accessible games work best because they:
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Remove setup friction
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Allow casual drop-in play
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Don’t require skill investment
Some people use sites like imborednow.com because everything is lightweight and browser-based - useful when boredom hits suddenly and no one wants commitment.
10. Screen-Share Something Random
Instead of asking “what do you want to do?”, try:
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“I’m sharing my screen, deal with it.”
Then:
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Scroll through weird forums
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Explore random Wikipedia pages
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Watch oddly specific videos
Leadership - even arbitrary - kills group boredom fast.
When “Nothing Sounds Fun” With Friends
This is important.
Sometimes boredom isn’t about activities. It’s about:
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Mental fatigue
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Burnout
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Social overstimulation
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Low mood
In those moments:
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Sitting quietly together still counts
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Parallel phone scrolling is okay
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Silence doesn’t mean failure
Boredom doesn’t always need fixing. Sometimes it just needs permission.
A Simple Boredom Checklist for Groups
When you’re stuck, run through this:
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Do we want to talk or zone out?
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Do we want low effort or mild chaos?
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Do we want inside or outside?
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Do we want five minutes or an hour?
Answering one of these often unlocks the next move.
FAQ: Things to Do When Bored With Friends
Is being bored with friends a bad sign?
Not usually. It often means routines are stale, not that friendships are failing.
What if no one wants to decide what to do?
Someone choosing anything is better than waiting. Momentum matters more than the choice.
Are phones ruining hangouts?
Sometimes, but phones also enable shared games, videos, and conversations. It depends how they’re used.
What’s the easiest boredom fix for groups?
Walking, simple games, or watching something together - minimal setup, shared attention.
Why do students feel bored so often?
Structured schedules and mental overload can reduce motivation, even when free time exists.
Conclusion: Boredom Is a Signal, Not a Problem
Being bored with friends doesn’t mean you’re boring - it means your brain wants novelty, connection, or rest.
The best things to do when bored aren’t always exciting. They’re:
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Shared
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Low-pressure
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Slightly different from yesterday
Next time boredom hits, don’t overthink it. Pick something small. Laugh if it fails. And remember:
It’s spelled bored, not board - but either way, you don’t have to sit there doing nothing.
