Most of us spend our free time online, whether we’re streaming the latest movies and TV shows or staying updated on the news. But often, our online activities require a subscription, making it seem difficult to find free, enjoyable online pastimes—but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many options for spending time online without paying for a subscription, and this article will explore some of the best options available for ten popular pastimes.
1. Video Streaming
Popular video streaming apps like Prime Video and Disney+ require monthly payments. However, there are sites on which you can enjoy countless hours of free video entertainment—if you don’t mind occasional ads. The original video platform, YouTube, has a vast variety of videos that users can watch for free, from entertaining videos to educational ones, allowing you to enjoy content that appeals to your interests.
Beyond YouTube, streaming platforms like Peacock and Channel 4 offer free, ad-supported content. You’ll find classic shows like Saved by the Bell alongside newer shows like Downton Abbey, The Office, Suits, Derry Girls, Superstore, and more, meaning you can enjoy hours of entertainment without spending a dime.
2. Online Gaming
Whether you’re into simulation games, first-person shooters, board, card, or puzzle games, a huge variety of free-to-play games are available online. Through sites such as CrazyGames and Gamesgames.com, you can play puzzle, strategy, and action games for free—with no downloads required. Review portals like Casinos.com offer a variety of popular slot sites and other online casino sites, many with free-to-play options. Through the PlayStation Store and mobile app stores, you can find free trials of popular video games like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty. Additionally, these stores have countless free arcade, puzzle, and digital versions of classic board and card games to download to your device(s).
3. Meditation
You can find free meditations through apps like Headspace and Calm to help you develop and maintain a meditation habit. These apps allow users to access some of their content for free, providing you with tools and guidance if you’re new to the concept of meditation, as well as guided meditations if you have a little more experience. You can get a subscription if you want to access more content or remove ads.
4. Fitness Classes
Through YouTube, you can find virtual classes for workouts like yoga, Pilates, Zumba, kickboxing, barre, dancing, spinning, and so much more, all for free. You’ll likely need to sit through an ad or two before the class begins, but watching a short ad is a worthwhile trade-off for a free workout. Popular YouTube channels for classes include PS Fit (formerly POPSUGAR Fitness), which offers a variety of fitness classes; Yoga with Adriene, which focuses on gentle yoga; The Studio by Jamie Kinkeade, which provides a wide range of dance classes; and Move with Nicole, which focuses on Pilates workouts.
5. Writing
Writing online is a simple and entertaining pastime, whether you keep it to yourself or share it with the world. Google Docs and the free version of Microsoft Word are great tools for drafting ideas or journaling, while website builders like WordPress and Wix make it simple to publicly share your writing through a blog or website. You can also monetise your website by integrating ads and affiliate marketing, turning this into a secondary income stream or side hustle.
6. Learning a Language
There are countless paid language learning apps and classes online, but casual learners and those on a budget can find several free options for growing their language skills. Apps like Duolingo and Memrise are popular, fun, and interactive language learning apps that you can use for free. Another option is to visit Libraries Ireland, where you can find free online language classes.
7. Listening to Music and Podcasts
YouTube and Spotify let you listen to free music and podcasts from a variety of genres; the only catch is that you’ll be subject to ads. Of course, you can pay for a subscription if the ads are too disruptive to your listening sessions.
8. Learning a New Craft
Using blogs, YouTube, and dedicated sites for crafters, such as Domestika and Craftsy, there are endless ways you can pick up a new craft or grow your existing skill set without a subscription or additional payment. These sites allow free tutorials to help complete beginners start their crafting journey—whether they are learning calligraphy, sewing, crocheting, woodworking, or painting.
9. Taking an Online Course
Like learning a new craft, you can brush up on and learn entirely new subjects and skills with online courses. While many platforms have paid options to enhance learning, sites like edX, Coursera, Khan Academy, and Skillshare offer free courses on a broad range of topics and skills. Topics can include history, humanities, the arts, cultural studies, science, and more. The skills you can learn on these sites encompass career-focused certificates such as social media marketing, IT support, and coding. You’ll also find hobby-focused and personal-development courses such as cooking, photography, and learning a new instrument. Libraries Ireland also offers online courses for continued education.
10. Reading
While apps like Audible require a monthly subscription, audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines can be found for free through Libraries Ireland, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and Project Gutenberg. Platforms like Amazon Kindle and Apple Books will primarily have paid content, but if you’re willing to browse their selections, you’ll also find free titles to discover and enjoy.
Online Pastimes Can Be Both Enjoyable and Free
By looking at free options that cater to a range of interests, you’re bound to find hours of entertainment without any extra costs. Start exploring today to find free pastimes you’ll love!