I feel like it’s so easy to think that once work is done, you’ll finally have the time to start that hobby, try a new dinner recipe, or maybe even go on a solo date. But as soon as you get to the end of another day, any of those productive ambitions are kind of gone. You’re tired, you’re bored, and you’re reaching for your phone.
But if you’re looking for a simple list of things to do at night instead of doomscrolling, then these ideas below will keep you from zoning out on a screen.
A night with no plans doesn’t have to be monotonous. In fact, there are so many mood-boosting activities and fun ways to romanticize your life in the evenings. So if you need some new ways to fill up your time, then here are some fun things to do at night.
In This Article:
- Relaxing Things to Do at Night to Help You Unwind
- Cozy Nighttime Activities That Don’t Involve Screens
- Simple Self-Care Ideas for Your Evening Routine
- Creative Things to Do at Night When You’re Home
- Low-Effort Productive Things to Do at Night
- Fun Things to Do at Night When You’re Staying In
- Small Things to Do at Night That Make Mornings Easier
- Peaceful Things to Do Before Bed Instead of Doomscrolling
50 Things to Do in the Evening
Whether you wanna stay in and wind down with a self-care ritual, get creative, knock out something low-key productive, or just relax and enjoy a slower evening, these 50 things to do at night make it easy to plan out a night you’ll actually look forward to. Invite a few friends over or enjoy a bit of quiet time to yourself, and you’ll find plenty of simple ways to break your doomscrolling habit and make your evenings feel more intentional.
Side Note: If you want more ideas, then here are a few ways to unwind and romanticize your night routine.
Relaxing Things to Do at Night to Help You Unwind
1. Do a slow shower reset. Dim the lights, maybe light candles, put on a calming playlist or podcast, and take a longer than usual shower so you can physically and mentally wash off the day.
2. Make your own nighttime tea flight. Brew 3-4 small cups of different herbal teas and enjoy them slowly like a mini tea tasting instead of just mindlessly scrolling.
3. Stretch on the floor with a lit candle. A few gentle stretches on a soft rug or mat helps release some tension and sends signals to your nervous system that it’s time to relax.
4. Read one chapter of a comfort book. Choose something cozy and/or familiar and commit to just one chapter so it feels more soothing rather then mentally demanding.
5. Do a 10-minute tidy reset. Set a timer and lightly reset your space so you can wake up to a calmer room without turning it into a full cleaning session.
6. Journal just one page of brain dump thoughts. Write out anything that’s been lingering in your head so you can clear out the mental clutter and make falling asleep easier.
7. Create a low-light wind down space. Turn off the overhead lights, turn on a lamp or light a candle, grab a blanket, make a hot drink, and intentionally slow your environment for the last part of the night.
Cozy Nighttime Activities That Don’t Involve Screens
8. Light a candle and read by lamplight. Turn off all harsh lighting and read by a warm lamp and candlelight to instantly create a softer, more relaxed atmosphere.
9. Bake something simple from scratch. Make a small batch of cookies, chocolate banana bread, or muffins so your home smells cozy and tomorrow’s breakfast feels kind of special.
10. Do a puzzle with some soft music playing. Work on a puzzle or brain teaser while listening to jazz, classical, bossa nova, or an acoustic playlist for a calming, screen-free night ritual.
11. Have a dessert night at home. Plate a simple dessert like berries, whipped cream, and dark chocolate and treat it like a small, quiet cafe moment instead of going for snacks.
12. Organize one small drawer or shelf. Pick just one tiny space to reset so you get a nice, satisfying sense of order without turning the night into a huge cleaning session.
13. Write a handwritten letter or card. Send a thoughtful note to a friend or a thank you letter to someone who did something meaningful for you. It’s a nice way to unwind and practice slow communication.
14. Lay out a cozy outfit for tomorrow. Choose comfortable pieces or a favorite outfit so your morning feels simpler and more intentional right away.
Simple Self-Care Ideas for Your Evening Routine
15. Do a 5-minute face massage. Use a calming facial oil or moisturizer and gently massage your face and jaw so you can release any tension and boost blood circulation before bed.
16. Soak your feet in warm water. A quick foot soak with Epsom salt and/or essential oils helps relax your body and feels kind of pampering after a long day.
17. Apply a hair mask or scalp treatment. Take care of your hair and scalp while you unwind so you wake up with softer, healthier-feeling hair.
18. Make a magnesium or herbal night drink. Mix a calming magnesium drink or a soothing herbal tea that’ll help you relax and have better sleep.
19. Do a mini skincare reset. Light a candle and take a few extra minutes to thoroughly cleanse your skin, softly apply serums, and moisturize slowly instead of rushing through your routine.
20. Oral care like it’s a spa ritual. Slow down your brushing + flossing routine and treat it like a calming habit instead of a rushed task.
21. Lay out your bed for better sleep. Change your sheet, fluff pillows, smooth said sheets, and adjust blankets so your bed feels extra cozy and inviting when you crawl in.
Creative Things to Do at Night When You’re Home
22. Start a low-pressure sketch or doodle page. Fill a page with messy sketches, patterns, or random ideas just for fun, not productivity.
23. Write a short slice of life journal entry. Describe one small moment from your day in detail to help sharpen your observation and memory. But make it also feel like it’s a bit of a short story to add a bit of whimsy to this night activity.
24. Create a cozy playlist for a specific mood. Make your own soundtrack for slow mornings, rainy days, cooking nights, or long reading sessions.
25. Try a new recipe experiment or flavor combination. Experiment with spices, sauces, and/or ingredients you already have and be a bit of a recipe creator for the evening. Good example: I experimented with combining Japanese tonkatsu with parmesan polenta (in photo above) and it was a very good idea. 👌
26. Rearrange a small corner of your room. Shift plants, books, or decor to refresh your space without doing a full room makeover. Also, feel free to steal from other rooms to change things up even more.
27. Practice hand lettering or calligraphy. Work on letter shapes, spacing, or pretty styles so you can build up a relaxing creative habit. It really does makes for a fun hobby you can do at night.
28. Plan out future trips, projects, or ideas in a journal. Free-write ideas, sketch rough plans, or map out dreams without worrying about execution or expectations.
Low-Effort Productive Things to Do at Night
29. Prep tomorrow’s breakfast or coffee setup. Set out your mug, grind beans, or prep overnight oats so mornings feel smoother and more chill.
30. Reply to just one lingering message or email. Clear out a tiny piece of mental clutter without turning the night into a whole work session.
31. Make a short to-do list for tomorrow. Write down 3-5 realistic priorities so your brain can fully relax as you fall asleep.
32. Sort one small pile of papers or receipts. It’s time to tackle that one tiny admin task that’s been quietly bugging you.
33. Refill everyday essentials around the house. Top up soap bottles, vitamins, pet food, or water bottles so you have less tasks to take care of the next day.
34. Back up photos or organize just one digital folder. Do a quick digital reset that keeps your files from piling up.
35. Set out clothes, shoes, or gym gear for the coming morning. Remove friction from your routine and make it easier to follow through with good habits tomorrow.
Fun Things to Do at Night When You’re Staying In
36. Host a cozy mocktail or tea night at home. Put on a good playlist, mix a few fun drinks, plate some simple snacks, and make an average evening feel a bit like a mini event.
37. Have a themed dinner night from a different country. Pick one cuisine, cook or curate something simple, put on music from that country, and turn dinner into a small cultural experience. Also, Italian cuisine is a great place to start if this sounds good to you.
38. Play a card or board game by candlelight. Even a quick round feels a lot more fun and relaxing when the lighting and mood are just right.
39. Do a nostalgic music listening session. Put on albums from a specific time or memory and let yourself just enjoy the throwback vibe.
40. Create a mini tasting night with chocolate, cheese, and/or fruit. Sample a few varieties slowly and notice flavors like you would at an actual tasting. It’s a nice way to experience new flavors and become more aware of notes you wouldn’t have picked up on before.
41. Rearrange your living room for a movie night setup. Take out the extra blankets, floor cushions, and maybe candles to make staying in feel intentional, cozy, and fun.
42. Plan a future date night or weekend adventure together. Plan out ideas, save inspiration, and give yourselves something fun to look forward to in the next couple of weeks or later on in the year.
Small Things to Do at Night That Make Mornings Easier
43. Load or unload the dishwasher before going to bed. Waking up to a clean kitchen instantly makes your mornings feel calmer and a lot more organized.
44. Refill your water bottle and place it by your bed. Starting the day hydrated is a low-effort way to help your energy and focus first thing.
45. Organize your entryway or bag for the next day. Putting keys, wallet, shoes, and/or other work items in place keeps you from rushing tomorrow.
46. Write just one priority task on a sticky note. Seeing your main focus first thing helps to anchor your day without all of the overwhelm.
Peaceful Things to Do Before Bed Instead of Doomscrolling
47. Sit quietly and practice slow breathing for just 5 minutes. According to research, slowing your breath helps signal to your nervous system that it’s time to rest and unwind.
48. Read a few pages of a calming and/or familiar book. Relaxed, light reading helps your mind transition toward sleep without any overstimulation.
49. Write down 3 small wins from your day. Noticing simple positives can help shift your mindset away from stressful thoughts or feelings before bed.
50. Create a short candle and gratitude ritual before bed. Light a candle, sit quietly for a minute, and mentally name and focus on one thing you’re grateful for to end the day on a calm, grounded note.
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.