Bored or simply in the mood to try something new? We take a look at some of the productive and very-much-not-productive things you could be doing online right now!
Fight world hunger while you brush up on your vocab skills!
The next time you’re bored on the net, why not put your vocabulary to the test in a fun multiple choice quiz format at Free Rice, which donates 10 grains of rice per question you get right to countries in need via the United Nations World Food Programme. Each time you answer a question, the banner advert that’s displayed generates enough revenue for the purchase of the rice – so do make sure you whitelist the site or turn your AdBlocker off when you first visit. And while 10 grains might not sound like a whole lot, over 95 billion grains of rice have been donated through the program so far! See how many questions you can get right in a row and try to beat the current top score, all while fighting world hunger.
Become a virtual globe trotter thanks to Google
Google is well known for their love of hiding little Easter eggs to amuse and entertain their users, and Street View is no exception. From touring the Colosseum in Rome, doing a virtual hike of the Grand Canyon, the White House, 10 Downing Street, the Palace of Versailles, or even taking a dip underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, you can get a glimpse into some of the world’s most loved destinations and attractions all from the comfort of your PC.
Catch an awesome free documentary
From space exploration, science and the environment, to political, historical, sports, medical and true crime documentaries, Documentary Heaven has it all and then some. If you’re not sure where to start, check out their top 100 listing for inspiration – you’re guaranteed to find something that titillates you.
Strike it rich with a cryptic twist
Online gambling has been around for a while now, but did you know you can now play online with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin? Not only does it offer better privacy and anonymity than fiat currency, it also opens the playing field for those in virtually any country in the world – and offers a whole new level of excitement too. If you’re feeling lucky, then sites like Vegas Casino offer games like Bitcoin Roulette, Baccarat, jackpot and video slots.
Need a quick laugh? Check out some hilarious Amazon reviews
Give people a voice, and sometimes they’ll use it to mock you. Luckily for us, there are some very funny and creative Amazon customers out there. If you need a quick giggle and the occasional all-out belly laugh, we highly recommend some of these hilarious product reviews.
Learn a new language
Whether you’re planning an overseas trip to an exciting destination or it’s just always been your ambition to learn a foreign language, it’s easier than ever to do so thanks to the Internet. Sites like Duolingo make the process fun and rewarding, with inbuilt gamification like the option to race around the clock, earn points and level up – all for free. They currently offer a pretty impressive variety of languages too, including German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Dutch, and even Welsh and Danish. And because it’s so much fun, you’ll have extra motivation to keep coming back to build on your skills.
Stumped about what to make for dinner and dreading heading to the store? Find a recipe that calls for the stuff you already have
Whether it’s month-end and the grocery budget is getting uncomfortably tight, your cupboards are full of goods rapidly approaching their use-by date, you couldn’t be bothered to head out to the shops, or you simply want to try something a little different without having to source fancy ingredients you’ve only ever heard of, the Internet is ready to come to your rescue. Sites likeSuperCook and MyFridgeFood allow you to enter whatever ingredients you have lying around already, and give you recipe suggestions that won’t require you to leave your home. Sorted!
Watch a movie with a friend who lives far away
If you’ve got a bestie or close friend who’s moved to a faraway place, why not schedule an online movie-watching session together? (Time zones permitting, of course.) Agree to tune in at the same time and share your reactions instantly over instant messaging online or via your smartphones.
Enroll in a free course
If you’re in the mood for something more productive, there are now thousands of free courses available all over the world. Whether you have plans to start your own company, want to broaden your existing skill set at work, or want to try your hand and brain at something completely new, sites like Coursera, Udemy, edX and many more offer endless options.