Not sure what to do with this unpredictable Minnesota winter? With the days so short, temperatures dropping and staying below freezing, it can be easy to be bored and cautious of the weather. It may be your best bet to play it safe and stay indoors to avoid the erratic weather, but that can make anyone stir crazy. As a result, you’re probably going to need some indoor ideas to stay warm and entertained for the next couple months; the possibilities are endless, so you will be able to make the most of this winter!

You may find yourself wanting to try something new, such as a musical instrument. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the ukelele or a guitar; with YouTube tutorials as common as TikTok videos, you can easily begin to play within minutes of tuning up. Instead of learning music, perhaps you’d like to start working out, take up a new hobby, explore new topics,  or try your hand at cooking or baking. 

Being stuck indoors is the perfect time to break out of your comfort zone and explore. However, if you find yourself set on the present, maybe it’s time to look toward the future. Fill out job or college applications, complete your FAFSA application, search the web for scholarship offers, plan out your career goals, or look into investing for retirement. 

You may just want to relieve yourself and be stress free this winter. Listen to music that gives off the winter feeling. Music is the key to the heart for thousands, and that’s a favorite way to pass time for music lovers. It’s great to share playlists with friends or explore your favorite artists’ side projects or influences. You may discover a new style of music that will become your next obsession. 

Now it’s time to get real. Admit it; your room could stand a little bit of cleaning. If your room isn’t a complete mess, reorganizing and cleaning your room for the fun of it can be an underrated way to pass time. You’ll become more organized and discover a feeling of accomplishment when you sit back and see all the work you’ve done. Besides that, your mom and dad will probably fall out when they see that you’ve done this without anyone telling you to do so. 

Reading a book is quite fun to some. Does the world of Egyptian mythology interest you? “The Red Pyramid” by Rick Riordan is perfect for you. You can also find Mr. Perry in his classroom near door 6, as he seems to find endless possibilities of reading adventures for those looking for suggestions; “reading is a mental movie. You get to create the cast and live out the scenes the way you’d like them to be. It is a great way to bring your imagination back to life,” Mr. Perry said. 

One of the best ways to get past winter is just some alone time. Don’t just lay and sit all day; get up and move around! While sleep is indeed nice, staying fit is much more effective. It’s important to stay productive and active during this time of year, but it could be even better to do it alone in the safety of your own home and at your own pace.

If you’re looking for some things to do with friends and family, you could use some of the ideas mentioned above with your loved ones. Some of them may be better with others around you. If you’re looking to get into the cooking realm, it could be fun to have a Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen-esque competition, as you eliminate “chefs” one by one in various contests, until one remains. 

Video games are much more enjoyable with company. There are so many fun games you can play with peers, such as Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, or even Fortnite on occasion can make time fly by. Something about the nostalgia of the Nintendo Wii just makes the winter time much more bearable.  If you’re more old school, board games may be just as or more enjoyable than electronic games for some. You can also push your creativity and use your mind to make some fun arts and crafts with companions.

If you would rather head out to the public eye than stay indoors, there are some fun possible ideas whether you’re going out with loved ones or not, although you should remain cautious of the potential risk of COVID and especially the flu. It’s very important to separate yourself from the illness. 

Going out shopping is quite fun. Go vinyl shopping, whether you collect them or just enjoy seeing physical copies of albums you love. Take a ride to Apache Mall with some company and explore the wonders they have to offer in Rochester’s main consumer attraction. Your spending may allow for more stores to be built there. Beyond that, head downtown to the Galleria Mall for a slice of pizza or have a hot ham and swiss from Salad Brothers. For dessert, go across the skyway to Cafe Steam and enjoy a hot gingerbread latte. 

Looking for competition and enjoy sports? The RAC/REC during winter is perfect for sport runs. Basketball runs are especially a can’t-miss opportunity. 

The possibilities of ways to pass the time indoors this winter are countless, which will make the unpredictable Minnesota  winters not only bearable but possibly unforgettable. With global warming causing our weather to go to new extremes, it may be best to be prepared to be indoors until spring time, or whenever Mother Nature decides it’ll be. Expand your horizons, while being safe and warm. Go and make the best of your winter with memories and fun you’ll forever keep and cherish!