Bored at Home During Sydney Lockdown? Here Are 15 Fun Indoor Activities

It seems another Sydney lockdown has reappeared in our lives. Like an unwelcome but familiar friend, self-isolation has returned in 2024, but this time, it's self-imposed. With thousands of people self-isolation around the state, the big question is: what can we do with all of this extra time on our hands? Well, just because you’re stuck inside for a week or so doesn’t mean you need to be stuck for ideas too. With these fabulous and fun indoor activities, you can take all the negative feelings associated with Australia's shadow lockdown and turn them into something positive!

Whether you would rather try your hand at cooking with exciting ingredients and flavours from around the world, or play with some dirt and succulents to create beautiful green decorations for your home, being in quarantine is your chance to finally get creative with that new hobby you’ve always had your eye on. 

There’s no need to search ‘things to do at home’ again when you can sink your teeth into such a huge range of wellness-boosting activities and craft ideas. Even if you’re an absolute beginner, there is no better time than the present to put on your apron, roll up your sleeves and get creative. We completely understand, the shadow lockdown is far from ideal, but after you’ve vented for a bit, it’s important to start checking in on yourself and ensure that your physical and mental wellbeing is the top priority. 

Take a look at our list of fantastic lockdown activities to try and you’ll never feel bored at home again. Once you've exhausted this list, be sure to check out our guide to the best isolation activities.

Transform your drinks night into a social activity at home

As bars and hospitality venues around the city temporarily close, you may start to feel like your opportunities to socialise with friends and family are limited. But in fact, thanks to the power of the internet, there are so many ways you can continue to stay connected with those you love most and keep the drinks flowing. Hop on Zoom and try cocktail making, paint and sip classes or even wine tasting under the guidance of talented makers from all around Australia. Your Friday night drinks can be just as enjoyable at home as they are out and about - plus, they’ll be a lot cheaper too! For a quality tipple at home, check out our virtual cocktail making classes. 

And of course, just because we’re in quarantine doesn’t mean that 2024 comes to a halt. If you or a loved one have a iso birthday party to plan, online cocktail making classes are one of the best virtual birthday party ideas on offer! Whether you tune in with a group of friends for a private online class, or you send a DIY cocktail kit to someone for their special day, our unique experience gifts and online classes are thoughtful way to keep the birthday magic alive.

Add a dash of excitement to your iso meals 

Remember last year’s lockdown when you discovered a range of cool recipes to try? Don’t stop experimenting in the kitchen! Food is nourishment for the soul and one of the best ways to keep your spirits alive. If you’re not very comfortable in your kitchen, give a virtual cooking class a go. With everything from pasta making to Indian cooking to learning how to make your own sourdough bread, you can use ingredients you already have in your pantry or have them delivered to your door. The ultimate gift experience for the foodie in your life, an online cooking class will give you the skills and confidence to continue making delicious meals.

Keep your mind, body and soul active with these exercise ideas

After indulging in all the tasty meals you cook, it might be a good idea to burn off some calories to keep you from feeling sluggish. Essential exercise is still allowed outside, so why not change out of your pyjamas, jump into your trackies and go for a peaceful walk around the park? You’ll be amazed at how much fresher the air seems when you’re not confined to the same square lot. If you’re more of a homebody, finally get started on the yoga or pilates routine you’ve been planning since New Years. Try an online yoga class to really commit yourself and gain a sense of community with other like-minded beginners. 

Bring nature inside with plant and floristry classes

If you are forced to stay indoors and quarantine due to the misfortune of being a close contact, then it’s likely you’ll be missing out on quality one-on-one time with nature. Get your green fix by bringing gorgeous plants and fragrant flowers into your home with an online class and craft kit, delivered in a Covid-safe way to your door. Indulge in everything from DIY terrarium building to flower arrangement workshops, or learn how to wrap a Kokedama ball or twist wire to shape a beautiful, fresh flower crown. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a lovely piece of Mother Nature to admire and accompany you through the rest of isilation. Looking for unique gifts to send to a flora-loving friend? These plant and floristry classes are some of the best gift ideas for the apartment-dweller in your life. 

Get creative with textile art - from sewing to macrame

There are few things more meditative and mindful than textile crafts. Have a go playing with different textures and patterns to create material art and start up a lifelong hobby in the process. Whether you want to learn sewing basics or how to make a boho-inspired macrame wall hanging or planter, DIY textile craft is so relaxing and satisfying!

Learn painting for beginners

So you’ve told yourself for a while now that you’re finally going to learn how to paint. What better time than the present? Let your mind drift with flowy, delicate watercolours, create bold, vibrant decor pieces for your home using resin art, or go back to acrylic painting basics with a virtual paint and sip class. Allow your inner artist to shine and learn painting in a completely judgement-free environment. If you’ve been missing friends and family, try out a private paint party over Zoom. You’ll get to keep your social connection strong while supporting local artists during what is undoubtedly a difficult time for creatives. Ready to pick up a paint brush? Discover our online painting classes here.

Become an eco-warrior with these sustainable craft ideas

If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s just how much humankind has impacted the environment and how important it is to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystems. There are so many small but meaningful ways that you can give back to the earth and become your own eco-warrior. Ditch the plastic cling wrap and get your hands on a DIY beeswax wraps kit. These kitchen drawer essentials not only look great, they’ll keep your food fresher and can be washed and reused again and again. Or start up a new, organic skincare routine with your own handmade DIY beauty products. Make gorgeous butters, essential oil blends and soaps using all-natural ingredients that are good for your skin (and good for the planet too)! 

Read a book (or several), start journaling and practice some self care

Dream the long days of self-isolation away with a good book and a relaxing reading space out in the sun, or snuggled up on the lounge by the heater. If you’re a bit of a social butterfly, reading might be one of those wonderful, mindful indoor activities you’ve neglected recently, but now you have plenty of time to catch up on all your bestsellers. Now that you’re in a more creative, imaginative head space, journal your thoughts or plan the year ahead. If you’re new to the fantastic world of journaling, try out an online bullet journaling class for beginners. Discover how to make your thoughts and ideas really stand out on the page and indulge in the healing art of self-expression. 

Relax with an at-home massage

Just because you can’t go out to your favourite wellness spa to indulge in a little TLC doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a calming massage. Release isolation-related stress in your body and work out those tight knots with a pre-recorded massage tutorial and pamper pack. Perfect if you're looking for romantic date ideas for couples (that you can do at home), you'll be shown how to massage your partner (without hurting them) and keep one another from going completely stir-crazy.

Unwind with air drying clay

Shape and mould soft, squelchy clay with a DIY pottery kit and online class and create amazing sculptures or ceramics using a variety of hand building clay techniques. Pottery is a deeply tactile and calming hobby that comes with a lot of practical uses. Pottery classes for kids are also great options if you and your little one are struggling to think of what to do when bored at home. 

Indulge in some quality bath time

Bath and shower time is a significantly under-appreciated event of the day. As you cleanse and refresh yourself, you’re also working some incredible magic on your mind and mental health. Make your daily cleaning ritual even more fun and memorable with DIY bath products like homemade soap, bath bombs and coffee scrubs and celebrate having a completely rejuvenated body, mind and general wellbeing.

Snuggle up with a hot cuppa 

Isolation activities don’t need to be complicated. Sometimes all you need to keep the hours ticking away is a steaming cup of tea or coffee. If you’re bored of simply dunking a tea bag into your mug, maybe it’s time to try brewing your own tea! Play with gorgeous spice blends to create a comforting masala chai, or if you have a coffee machine in your kitchen gathering dust, start practicing your latte art. When you’re done, snuggle up with your delicious, hot beverage and indulge in some quality ‘me-time’.

Pick up that instrument you bought five years ago

It happens – you decide you want to start learning a new instrument but after buying all the equipment, time gets away from you and your guitar or keyboard become nothing more than accessories in your spare room. Well, learning an instrument might be a great distraction from quarantine and could help you reveal a hidden musical talent you always secretly suspected was there. Try an online class with a local musician and keep them on their feet as live gigs become few and far between.

Practice photography at home 

It might seem a little silly at first, but practicing photography skills at home is a great way to improve your snapping abilities without feeling like a tourist in your own city. Whether you are using a DSLR camera or a simple smartphone, learning photography will help you make time fly by and is a fantastic confidence booster too (especially if you are learning how to take the perfect selfie). Have a go at an online photography course, and discover not only how to capture photos, but how to edit them too!

Try out these unique Japanese crafts and traditions 

Travel to Asia from the comfort of your home with these incredible Japanese craft ideas. Practice the art of Japanese flower arranging with an Ikebana class or wrap an adorable Kokedama ball using a DIY kit. With these ancient floristry techniques, you’ll discover how to make a design that is truly unique and bring a sense of zen into your home. You could also try your hand at the mindful art of Kintsugi. An ancient art that involves repairing broken ceramics using gold, Kintsugi is as meaningful as it is soothing to the mind. 

With so many fun indoor activities to try, quarantine can seem both overwhelming and exciting at the same time. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to check in with yourself and see what it is that you want to prioritise during isolation in 2024. Whether that’s learning a fun craft, trying out a new hobby or simply catching up on much-needed nap time, you have the chance to make this time at home truly worthwhile.