Last winter, extreme cold forced many of us indoors to huddle around our space heaters. Now, scorching temperatures and poor air quality have yet again chased us inside, this time at summer’s peak. But you don’t need to resign yourself to binge-watching all 35 episodes of Love Island USA or doomscrolling for hours just because your kayaking trip is canceled.
Over the past year, we’ve uncovered a treasure chest of screen-free boredom busters, testing 80 jigsaw puzzles, 35 board games and even some new ways to embrace your creative side. Below are seven ways to enjoy the rest of the summer, even if it’s from the comfort of your air conditioning.
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Hot Streak Party Game
For families packed in tight quarters that need to blow off some steam, the experts we asked about the best family board games recommend Hot Streak. “If you want to have a raucous family game night, Hot Streak is where it’s at,” wrote Nicole Lee, a Filter contributor and board game enthusiast. Players place bets on a mascot race that is guaranteed to descend into just the right kind of mayhem.
Read the story: The 25 best family board games in the US for 2026, according to experts
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Piecework Court Classics 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
In our ongoing Do not disturb series, we recommend some of our favorite ways to log off. One of my go-tos is a tricky puzzle that leaves me humbled, like this Piecework Court Classics 1,000-piece puzzle that I’m slowly but surely working my way through. Piecework’s eclectic aesthetics and sturdy quality make it my jigsaw brand of choice. I also recently completed Happy Camper (now on sale for 20% off), and Piecework also sells kids’ puzzles such as the quirky Dino Discotheque.
Read the story: These five summer-themed jigsaw puzzles are the perfect indoor activity when it’s just too hot outside
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Oxo Grilling Skewer Set
Grilling isn’t strictly an outdoor activity. This weekend, ditch DoorDash and use these stainless steel skewers to chef up a plate of kebabs under the broiler or on the stovetop. Oxo’s model came recommended by Sal Vaglica, the culinary journalist who said their sturdy material keeps “food locked in like players on a foosball table”.
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No Particular Order Guided Journal
I can’t stop recommending No Particular Order’s stationery, which goes beyond your basic gratitude journal or set of greeting cards with thought-provoking designs.
This guided journal is packed with 200 unique journal prompts that are perfect for killing time indoors while contemplating your entire existence. A few of my favorites include “What makes a house a home?” and “I would have these bumper stickers on my car”.
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Gritin Skin-Friendly Resistance Bands
Replacing your outdoor workout with a session indoors? We recently asked personal trainers and fitness experts for their best advice on strength training in midlife.
Caroline Idiens, the founder of the popular fitness program Caroline’s Circuits and author of Fit at 50, suggested this versatile set of resistance bands. “They come in five different strengths and are cheap, [and] easy to transport,” she told me. “Perfect if you are short on space and time and can do a full-body workout too.”
Read more: How to start strength training in midlife, according to female trainers 40 and over
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Ravensburger 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
For more jigsaw puzzle options, we also recommend Ravensburger. “The fit, feel and overall quality of their pieces is consistently among the best,” wrote Tim Stevens in his guide to the best jigsaw puzzles after testing 80 options. “It’s 70% recycled cardboard to boot, which earns the brand some environmental bonus points.”
Read more: The six best US jigsaw puzzles for adults and kids to soothe your screen-addled brain
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Winsor & Newton Watercolor Paint Set
Last winter, I wrote about the “analog bag” trend, where people shared the screen-free activities they stashed in their totes. One of the items I tossed in mine was this watercolor set from Winsor & Newton. Its small size makes for easy cleanup, and I love that you can mix colors directly in the included palette.
Read more: What’s in your ‘analog bag’? Unpacking the viral trend – in a stuffed tote
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Kobo Libra Colour E-Reader
Take your beach read to the couch with one of our favorite e-readers. After testing six of the top models on the market, writer and bookworm Jenny McGrath deemed this one her overall favorite. “It has more fonts and font sizes to choose from than the Kindles I tested, and it’s possible to make subtler adjustments to the brightness and warmness too,” she wrote.
Read the story: The best e-readers in the US, for every kind of book lover
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
‘Put a rubber band on your phone’: I asked experts how to reduce screen time – here’s what they said
More than ‘liquid weed’: the best THC drinks for socializing and relaxing, taste tested
Moka pot coffee: unlock cafe-quality iced lattes at home with this $50 Italian staple
