30+ Entertaining & Refreshing Things to Do on a Sunday

Spice up your Sunday and prepare for the week ahead with this list of activities

Co-authored by Alexandra Janelli and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References

Need a little inspiration for your Sunday activities? No problem. When you’re unsure what to do, it’s easy to feel like you’ve wasted your precious weekend—which is why it can help to have a few concrete ideas at your disposal so you can make a plan. Whether you’re looking for something social, outdoorsy, active, or relaxing, we’ve got you covered! Read on for a list of suggestions on how to fill your Sunday with everything from productive chores and tasks to entertaining activities.

Things You Should Know

Start your Sunday morning with something fun like brunch, a picnic, or a visit to the farmer’s market.
Enjoy an outdoorsy activity—like a day at the beach or a hike through the woods. Alternatively, you could do some gardening.
If you like indoor activities, do a few arts and crafts or play games. You could even invite your friends over for an afternoon of board games.
Get ready for your upcoming week by doing productive things like organizing, doing laundry, and preparing your upcoming meals on Sunday.

1

Do Sunday brunch.

Visit a local brunch spot with friends for a tasty start to your Sunday. Not in the mood to cook on a lazy Sunday morning? You’re not alone. Pick your favorite brunch place (or find a new one you’ve been dying to try), invite a few friends along, and spend the morning eating delicious breakfast food, coffee, and cocktails.^{[1]
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- You could also make brunch at home. Whip up some pancakes, or make a scrumptious omelet. You could even make fresh orange juice or fix a homemade latte!

2

Go on a scenic hike.

Get some exercise and take a hike to enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re super adventurous and looking for a challenge, you could always go for a more strenuous mountain hike. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something easier, a gentle hike through the woods could be the perfect pastime.^{[2]
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- Alternatively, an easy walk around the neighborhood or through a local park is also a nice way to get outside for fresh air and exercise.

3

Play board games.

Invite friends or family to participate in a game night (or afternoon). Pick out a few of your favorite board games and card games and have your friends over for a day of friendly competition. Then, toss in some snacks and background music to complete the experience.
- You could even have each of your friends play their favorite board game and try everyone’s pick at the game night!^{[3]
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4

Organize an area of your home.

Organizing your space can help you feel calmer and clear your mind. Pick a room or area of your home that could use some organization. This could be anything, from a file cabinet in your office to your pantry. Then, spend a couple of hours organizing everything in that space, making all of your belongings easier to keep track of as well as more appealing to the eye.^{[4]
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5

Get lost in a book.

Reading is a fun way to relieve stress and exercise your brain. Are there any books you’ve been meaning to read for a while but haven’t found the time to? A nice, quiet Sunday can offer the perfect opportunity to grab a book, sit in your favorite reading spot, and spend several hours reading. Or, if there’s nothing new on your list, pick an old favorite and spend the day on memory lane.^{[5]
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- Did you know many libraries also offer free e-books? Download an e-book from your public library’s database if you need something new to read but don’t want to pay bookstore prices.

6

Go to the farmer’s market.

Farmer’s Markets are full of extra-fresh produce and handmade crafts. You can find a local farmer’s market just about anywhere—so, odds are, there’s one (or more) in your area! Check local listings or simply run an online search for farmer’s markets if you don’t know where to find one, and head over to the market to do some leisurely Sunday shopping.^{[6]
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7

Rearrange your furniture.

Spice up your living space if the current arrangement feels boring. Want to breathe new life into your living space? You can do that without going on a shopping spree or buying new furniture. In fact, simply rearranging a room can make it feel totally new! Plan out a new configuration in a room that’s starting to feel stale, whether it’s your bedroom, dining room, or home office.^{[7]
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8

Put together a jigsaw puzzle.

Puzzles are relaxing, fun, and give your brain a gentle workout. Grab one of your favorite jigsaw puzzles, or pick a new one you haven’t yet completed. Spend a quiet afternoon building it—and enjoy that satisfying sense of pride when you finally connect the final pieces of the puzzle.^{[8]
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- If you’re not into jigsaw puzzles, there are plenty of other kinds to try. You could do a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or try to solve a Rubik’s cube.

9

Have a themed movie marathon.

Kick back and relax with a series of themed movies you know and love. Whether you’re alone or invite a few friends to enjoy them with you, pick a theme for your movie day and then compile a list with a few movies that fit that theme. Watch them in a row—complete with popcorn, soft drinks, and other movie must-haves.^{[9]
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- For example, you could have a Lord of the Rings day and watch all 3 movies in the series, or choose a theme like ‘time travel’ and watch movies like Back to the Future and A Wrinkle in Time.

10

Enjoy a day at the beach.

Get a dose of sunshine and go for a refreshing swim on your beach day. What’s a better weekend activity than a relaxing day beach trip? Assuming it’s a warm enough day, spend your Sunday on the beach with a few towels and cool drinks. You could even lay out on the sand with a book or take a walk down the shore when you’re not swimming!

11

Become a volunteer.

Volunteer for a cause you believe in and give back to your community. If you’re looking to feel productive, why not do some volunteer work? Pick a cause you’d like to support and see if they’re looking for volunteers. For example, you could volunteer at your local animal shelter or hand out food at a nearby soup kitchen.
- If you’re interested in volunteering but don’t want to do it alone, as a friend to do it with you! That way, you can have some quality time with your buddy while helping others.

12

Have an arts and crafts day.

Make some new decor for your home with a variety of arts and crafts. As far as arts and crafts go, you have quite a few options to choose from! Gather any and all materials you’ll need and clear away a table at home that you can craft on. Pick a few activities to try—you can even ask a friend or family member to do them too.^{[10]
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- Make scented candles.
- Make suncatchers for your windows.
- Create your own jewelry.
- Fold origami animals.

13

Listen to a new podcast.

Get some work done while you listen, or lay back and relax. Either start a new podcast you’ve been meaning to listen to or play a new episode of your current favorite. Podcasts can make for fantastic background while you do other things, so you could always listen as you do a chore, work out, or prepare a meal. Otherwise, you could just lie down on the couch and listen peacefully!^{[11]
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14

Write an entry in your journal.

Journaling can help you express yourself and sort out your thoughts. Grab your journal and write an entry about your current thoughts and feelings at that moment. You could also go over the last week, write about your hopes for the coming week, or write down any other ideas you have.^{[12]
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Research source} Use a few journaling prompts if you need ideas, such as:
- What hurts most right now? How can you find relief?
- Finish the sentence: “My life would be incomplete without…”
- Describe 2 significant events that shaped the person you are today.

15

Have a picnic.

Invite a friend or partner to share a meal at your local park. If you want to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy a delicious meal, a picnic is the perfect combination of the two. Pack a dish (and a few sides) you’ll enjoy, and set up a cozy picnic spot in the park with your partner or a friend. Eat, talk, and enjoy the ambiance at the park!^{[13]
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- You could also bring some music and either play it from your phone or use a small portable speaker to play music while you eat.

16

Exercise.

Exercise can get your blood pumping and lift your spirits. Choose your preferred method of exercise and get to it! For example, you could go for a run, ride your bike, lift weights, do a dance workout, or head to the gym. Whatever you do, it shouldn’t take long for the endorphins from your exercise to give your mood a boost!^{[14]
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17

Get some gardening done.

Plant a few new flowers or water and weed the garden you already have. If you have space to garden at home, why not head to a nearby store and pick out some new additions to your flower patch? Or, if your garden is already at capacity, head outside to pull up weeds, water plants, and do whatever else you need to do for upkeep—like trimming trees or giving your flower beds a new coat of mulch.^{[15]
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- If you live in an apartment or house without much yard space, consider starting a container garden instead. Or, if you want to keep it simple, grow a single potted houseplant for decor.

18

Play a round of mini golf.

Mini golf is a great way to get fresh air and enjoy a fun group activity. Round up some friends to play mini golf with you, or invite your family along. Once you have a group, head to a local mini golf course and spend the afternoon (or evening) competing in a gentle game together.
- As a bonus, you could all get ice cream after the game! Meet at the nearest ice cream parlor, or go to someone’s house for dessert if you prefer.

19

Make a playlist for the rest of your week.

A curated playlist can boost your energy (and mood) during the week. Nothing can pump you up during work (or chores) like a playlist full of your favorite tunes, right? To get ready for the coming week, create a playlist and add all the tunes you think you’d like to listen to in the near future, from new hits to old classics.^{[16]
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20

Visit an arcade.

Indulge in your favorite old-school games with a pack of friends. From skee ball to Pac-Man and Street Fighter, there’s no shortage of games to explore at the arcade! Bring a few friends and see which games you can conquer—and which games are hilariously tough to master.
- You could even turn it into a friendly competition and see which of you can earn the most tickets (or tokens) from winning arcade games.^{[17]
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21

Play video games.

Boot up your favorite single-player game or invite friends to join. A quiet Sunday playing video games can be super entertaining and relaxing for anybody who enjoys gaming! On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more social, why not invite a few friends over for a tournament? Games like Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros are perfect for large, thrilling group competitions.^{[18]
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22

Watch a sports game.

Check your local listings to see if any of your favorite teams are playing. Are you a sports fan? If so, you could always do a quick check on Sunday morning to see if any teams you support will be airing games on television. Grab some snacks, settle in on the couch, and spend a piece of your Sunday cheering on your team!^{[19]
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- You could also see if any local teams are playing games that you could see in person! You might be able to snag a couple of last-minute tickets for you and your friends.

23

Purge the clutter from your home.

Purging a cluttered space can help your home feel clean and peaceful. Is your closet so full of clothes you don’t wear anymore that you don’t even like looking at them? Or is your basement full of old nicknacks you don’t really need? Choose an area of your home to purge, and either throw away, recycle, or donate everything you remove.
- For example, you might find that your pantry is full of non-perishable things you don’t really plan on using. So, why not package it all up and bring it to a food drive?

24

Do your laundry.

Doing laundry on Sunday will help you get ready for the week ahead. Chores aren’t exactly anyone’s favorite thing to do, especially over the weekend, but you might find that tackling a few key chores now will make the week feel so much smoother! This way, you won’t have to worry about going to work without any clean clothes or making time for laundry somewhere in your busy weekday schedule.^{[20]
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25

Prepare your meals for the week.

Prepping your meals early can be a huge time-saver during the week. This is another great way to get ready for the week and make your life way easier. There are a couple of ways to prep your meals: either cook your meals entirely and freeze them or chop and measure everything on Sunday so it’s ready when you need to cook.^{[21]
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- Prep a few nutritious snacks, too, so you’ll never go hungry during the week ahead. For example, you could throw together a trail

26

Host a casual lunch or dinner.

Stick to a simple menu or do a potluck to enjoy time with friends or family. Sunday is the perfect day to spend eating and chatting with your loved ones, so why not invite everyone for dinner at your place? You could host a barbeque, whip up a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, or invite everyone to bring a dish and try them all as part of a potluck!^{[22]
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- Since you don’t want to stress over this too much, keep your dinner plans easy and uncomplicated. Don’t get caught up making too many different sides and appetizers, especially ones that take lots of time.

27

Take a bath.

A steamy bath offers the perfect opportunity for some alone time. Need to unwind after a long week (or a busy Saturday)? Take a bath! Get your bath water nice and hot, put on some soothing background music, light a few candles, and add some scented bath foam to the water. Then, pour a glass of wine, grab a book, and spend the next hour or so soaking and relaxing.^{[23]
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28

Set an intention.

Intentions can be goals or ideals you can carry with you into the week. Is there something you really want to accomplish? An ideal that you want to embody? Write a single word or phrase on a post-it note and stick it to your mirror or refrigerator. Then, you’ll have a reminder of your intention as you begin your week.^{[24]
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- For example, you might write something like, “Be kind,” “Stay calm under pressure,” or “Have courage” as your intention for the week ahead.

29

Plan your outfit for the next day.

Make getting ready in the morning easier by picking an outfit on Sunday. Would your morning go a little smoother if you didn’t have to spend time deciding what you’re going to wear? Test it out and try laying out an outfit for Monday on Sunday evening. Odds are, you’ll have a little extra time to yourself come Monday morning.^{[25]
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30

Practice calming yoga moves before bed.

Yoga can relax your mind and help you get a good night’s sleep. Waking up on Mondays (especially when you have to run to work) can be downright painful. However, a good night’s sleep can really help—and yoga can help you wind down, de-stress, and relieve tension before bed to ensure you get the best sleep possible.^{[26]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
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- Poses like the Wide-Knee Child’s Pose, the Standing Forward Bend, and the Reclining Bound Angle are ideal for pre-bedtime yoga.
- There are also tons of tutorials on YouTube for bedtime yoga and yoga for better sleep. Find a routine that works for you, and do it regularly!

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I stop Sunday sadness?

Alexandra Janelli
Anxiety and Stress Management Coach
Alexandra Janelli is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Anxiety & Stress Management Coach, and owner and founder of Modrn Sanctuary, a holistic health and wellness facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With over 10 years of experience, Alexandra specializes in helping clients push through their roadblocks to achieve their goals using her hypnotherapeutic approach. Alexandra holds a BS from the University of Miami. She graduated from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute with an Advanced Training Graduate Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Handwriting Analysis. Alexandra is also a Certified Life Coach from the iPEC Coach Training Program. She has worked with Academy Award Nominee Actors, world-renowned photographers, singers, top-level executives, and professionals across many sectors of business. Alexandra has been featured on MTV, Elle Magazine, Oprah Magazine, Men's Fitness, Swell City Guide, Dossier Journal, The New Yorker, and Time Out Chicago.

Alexandra Janelli

Anxiety and Stress Management Coach

Expert Answer

Ask yourself what you are dreading. Is it your work? Is it a relationship? Is it responsibility? Maybe it's all of those things. The first step is always to just acknowledge how you feel without judgment. Then, ask yourself what you would probably do if you were not feeling sad and try to do these things. It's normal do feel the Sunday blues, but by acknowledging how you're feeling, not judging yourself, and distracting yourself, you might be able to overcome this feeling.