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Want to find some fun and productive things to do instead of watching TV? In this post, I’m sharing 137 budget friendly ideas in case you are bored and tired of watching Netflix every night!
Do you feel like you might watch too much television? Are you ready to be more productive, or just find other fun things to do?
I’m honestly not a big TV watcher at all. In fact, we don’t even have cable. When we got married, we decided not to install cable, and to just have Netflix.
That was one of the best decisions we could have made. I know we get more things done around the house and enjoy more quality time together, since we don’t watch TV much.
So, what can I do instead of watching TV?
If you are ready to find more productive and fun things to do with your time, and spend more quality time with your kids and family, check out this list of things to do instead of watching TV.
Ready to get off the couch? Let’s go! 🙂
137 Things to Do Instead of Watching TV – On A Budget
First, think about why you want to do something instead of watching TV? Do you want to be more active, more productive, enjoy life more, spend time with people, or find a new hobby?
Think about your reason why you want to change, find some different things to do from this list, and get off the couch! 😉
Here are some fun, useful, and productive ideas of things you can do instead of watching Netflix or TV at night.
Get active!
If you want to be more active instead of watching tv, take some ideas from this list!
- Try yoga
- Go for a walk
- Ride bikes
- Go swimming
- Take a 15 Days to a Healthier You class
- Walk your dog
- Sign up for a fitness class
- Go hiking
- Walk dogs as a side job
- Do a dance video workout
- Find a friend to walk or workout with
- Walk at the park and talk to a friend on the phone
- Rent kayaks or canoes
- Start an herb or vegetable garden
- Try meditating
- Watch a fitness class from home
- Make a work out plan for the week
- Search Pinterest for quick work out plans
- Stargaze and look for constellations
Related Post: 21 Cheap Summer Activities
Get crafty!
If you want to do something hands on, take a few ideas from this crafty list!
- Make tile coasters
- Learn to sew something simple
- Decorate your home with things you already have
- Make a front porch sign for only $10
- Learn how to start a successful craft business
- Make printable wall art in Canva
- Learn to knit a scarf
- Crochet dish cloths
- Make wooden box signs for your home
- Find a new craft to make and sell
- Learn how to quilt
- Search Pinterest for wood pallet craft ideas
- Paint terra cotta pots and plant pretty flowers
- Learn how to grow succulents
- Make DIY scrap wood picture frames
- Make a scrapbook
- Learn how to make jewelry
- Clean off and decorate your front porch
- Make a growth ruler for your family or for a gift
- Turn your photography into art
- Make a DIY monogram drink bucket for a party
- Decorate your patio for the upcoming season
- Take a free online class and learn something new
- Make an iron on pillow cover
Related Post: 115+ Craft Ideas to Make and Sell
Get organized!
Want to spend your time getting more organized, instead of watching TV all the time? Take a few tips from this list!
- Make a plan to declutter one room a month
- Use an over the door shoe organizer to organize cleaning supplies or craft supplies
- Clean out your closet
- Organize your closet by season and colors
- Clean out under the bed
- Have a yard sale
- Clean out and organize your purse
- Declutter your pantry
- Take a 15 Day Organizing Challenge
- Clean out your fridge
- Organize your entry way
- Track your monthly bills and due date
- Get a boot tray to keep dirty boots off the floor
- Make a to do list and plan each task for a day in your planner
- Plan your meals out for the next week or month
- Get rid of old cleaning supplies
- Organize your craft supplies
- Clean out your spice cabinet
- Organize your kitchen utensil drawer
- Donate outgrown clothes
- Declutter your nightstand
- Recycle old magazines
- Organize your books
- Touch up paint around the house
Related Post: 15 Day Organizing Challenge with FREE Workbook
Learn a new skill!
Want to pick up a new skill instead of watching TV? Try one of these ideas!
- Learn how to make homemade bread
- Try gardening or growing herbs to start
- Learn how to fix your hair with YouTube vidoes
- Make a meal plan for the week
- Learn how to save money on groceries
- Try freezer cooking
- Learn how to be more productive
- Try a new makeup look
- Figure out how to fix something
- Learn how to take better pictures
- Do a DIY home repair
- Learn how to play a musical instrument
- Take a Make Over Your Year class
- Learn a different language
Related Post: 67 Free Things to Do on a No Spend Weekend
Make a new recipe!
Feel like getting in the kitchen and making something? Try one of these ideas!
- Learn how to eat healthy
- Make homemade ice cream sandwich cookies
- Plan an appetizers and dessert only dinner
- Learn how to decorate cakes
- Make easy freezer breakfast sandwiches
- Take an online cooking class
- Make individual flatbread pizzas
- Plan a snacky meal using food you already have
- Make crazy ice cream sundaes
Related Post: 95+ 5 Ingredient or Less Recipes
Go somewhere!
Want to get out of the house, but don’t know where to go? Take a few tips from this list!
- Explore local state parks
- Volunteer at a local mission, dog shelter, or nursing home
- Find a free community event
- Go to a local fair, festival, or event
- Head to the library – check out books, magazines, and movies
- Go visit friends or family
- Take a picnic lunch to the park or just in your backyard
- Drive through the country
- Go fishing
- Visit a waterfall
- Head to some local yard sales
Related Post: 43 Fun and Frugal Date Ideas You Have to Try
Read a book!
Don’t have a lot of energy? Reading a book is a great alternative to watching TV. Here are a few of my favorite books!
- Instant Pot Cookbook
- Family Feasts for $75 a Week
- HomeBody by Joanna Gaines
- The Magnolia Story
- Present over Perfect
- Anything by Liane Moriarty
- Whiskey in a Teacup
- Uninvited
- Anything by Karen Kingsbury
Related Post: 11 Books to Help You Save and Make Money
Do something with the family!
Want to do something with your spouse, or whole family? Take a few tips from this list!
- Watch family activity classes
- Play a board game
- Set up a relay course in your backyard
- Play cards
- Paint and hide rocks in town
- Play with sidewalk chalk
- Check out a wildlife book from the library and see what animals you can spot
- Fly a kite
- Go roller skating
- Play tennis
- Plan a family basketball game
- Take a frisbee or football to the park
- Go camping in the backyard
- Build a fire and make smores
- Plan your next vacation
Related Post: 22 Frugal Stay at Home Date Ideas
Make some money!
Eager to make a little side money instead of binge watching Netflix? Here are a few ideas!
- Start a blog
- Declutter your house and have a yard sale
- Make crafts to sell
- Buy old furniture to paint and sell
- Teach English online
- Babysit
- Dog sit
- House sit
- Walk dogs as a side job
- Give musical lessons
- Sell items on Ebay
- Sell handmade items on Etsy
Related Post: 30 Side Job Ideas
There you have it – many things to do instead of watching TV! What will you do?
Whether you want to get outside, get active, be alone, hang with the family, read a good book, get crafty, make a new recipe, or whatever else – you won’t just be watching TV!
Ready to get off the couch and do something more?
I love not having cable. It makes me do different things and stay active. Don’t get me wrong – we love watching a Netflix show after a long day! But, there are so many more useful and fun things to do instead of watching TV all the time.
Get out and enjoy life! 🙂
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