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Fun And Creative Ways To Spend Time Online

August 21, 2024

The internet. No one these days could deny that it’s now an integral part of life for pretty much everyone in the 21st century. We certainly can’t function without it, and honestly, we’re often astonished by just how far this technology has progressed in such a short time!

The early days of dialup aren’t much more than a couple of decades behind us, but we could barely imagine going back to those! Back then, the internet was mostly used for communication and information sharing - but now, we’ve got a vast digital landscape, where learning, creativity, and entertainment are just a click of the mouse away.

While most of us typically rely on using the internet for work, it's also a great tool to find activities that can enrich our minds, boost our well-being, and unlock our creative potential. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out some of the ways you can use the “information superhighway” to break out of the daily grind and explore some fresh new digital experiences.

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Take a Course of Learning

Learning something new is always a positive boost and the internet can be a veritable treasure trove of learning experiences. Maybe you want to level up your skills to advance your career, fancy brushing up on foreign languages, or are simply looking to satisfy your thirst for knowledge - whatever it is, you’ll find the perfect course online.

Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare provide access to thousands of courses on everything from photography to coding to business management… many of which are free. If you’d prefer something more in-depth, universities and colleges across the globe now offer 100% online diplomas, degrees, and master's certificates.

Unleash Your Artistic Side

Creating art is one of the quickest ways to feel good, thanks to all those lovely endorphins it can release. If your painting skills are less than, you don’t need to feel held back when experimenting with art-making tools online.

Honestly, anyone can unleash their inner artist by having fun creating digital art! Start with apps and tools like Canva, Procreate, and Adobe Spark. They’re all really easy for beginners to use and you can start designing graphics and creating digital paintings in no time.

Become a Poker Pro

No, seriously! Even if you’ve never set foot inside a brick-and-mortar casino, you can learn, master, and compete in this classic card game online. Poker itself is a lot more than just a game of chance: it's a whole mental challenge that sharpens your decision-making skills to boot.

So where to play? Well, a number of platforms now make it easy for you to attend online poker tournaments, even as a novice player. There are games available at licensed gaming sites for every skill level, and you’ll find helpful resources like how- to guides and strategy videos in abundance too.

Play Video Games

If poker seems a bit too exotic, then might we suggest online multiplayer gaming? Playing video games online connects you with a global community, ensuring you’ll always have someone to team up with or compete against. Titles like Fortnite, No Man’s Sky, and Minecraft are a great way into the genre too as they have the largest player base and community support.

No console to hand? Don’t worry: you don’t need to go out and buy expensive hardware to join in the fun of online gaming. Cloud gaming, platforms like Steam, and browser-based games can turn your home PC into a mini gaming arcade. You can even play top MMORPG titles on your smartphone!

Learn to Cook

Not quite a dab hand in the kitchen? You can remedy that by learning to cook online. Take your pick from easy recipe blogs, interactive learning platforms, online cookery classes, and more.

A simple Google search will turn up hundreds of results, so if you are a complete disaster in the kitchen, you might want to start with platforms like MasterClass and Bon Appetit. If you’re a more confident home chef, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for new recipes on YouTube. Some of the best cooking channels to check out include Tasty and Emmymade.

Start a Blog or Vlog

Love storytelling and sharing ideas? We do too! Blogging or vlogging could be the perfect online creative outlet for you. Diving into blog writing is super easy thanks to platforms like WordPress, and you’ll have ultimate creative freedom - write about whatever topics interest you! Worms, sewing, books, obscure facts about a rare bird in your area - anything you like.

Now not everyone is comfortable in front of a camera - but if you are, great! Vlogging offers another awesome way for you to share video content, reviews, or even what’s going on in your day-to-day. Plus, as you go about creating your content, you’ll develop new skills in videography and editing.

Join a Virtual Book Club

If you’re an avid reader with no one to explore your passion for the written word with, joining a virtual book club could be right up your street. The great thing about being part of online book clubs is that they aren’t restricted to local areas, so you can connect with readers all over the world to discuss your favorite titles.

Goodreads and Book Riot are great places to start, and you can discover virtual book discussions, live chats, author Q&As, and more across platforms like Facebook. Can you believe that Oprah’s Book Club is still going strong after almost 3 decades? Reece Witherspoon’s Reece’s Book Club is also a great way to find new titles that center on women's stories.