30+ games, books, shows, and more to help you tune out life today for absolutely no reason

There’s nothing important going on today. And we thought that you may need distraction from all this nothing, whether it’s a brand new video game, a good book, or a great show to binge. If you’re looking for something to keep you busy today (or any day), here are 36 suggestions to choose from to brighten your day.

Games to play

Dragon Age. Dragon Age: The Veilguard came out on Halloween and pretty much everyone is playing it, including our resident Dragon Age expert Liz, Did you know it’s called Dragon Age because it’s secretly a coming of age story about cuddly winged babies? Well, it’s actually not (just seeing if the editors are paying attention). But if you believed that for a second (confirming you’ve never played a Dragon Age game before), we have a recent series of Lore Watch episodes to catch you up:

• Catch up on the Dragon Age: Inquisition storyline
• A Dragon Age 2 story overview

Expect an episode on Dragon Age: Origins soon, and an episode (or several) on Veilguard once everyone has finished playing it.

Hades 2. If you’re more interested in animated action, might I suggest trying Hades 2? The title is Supergiant’s first ever sequel and even though it’s in early access, it already has more content than its predecessor. Not quite interested in tackling the full game? Give a listen to the stunning and varied original soundtrack.

Spirit City. We of the Watch have mentioned our love of  Spirit City: Lofi Sessions once or twice. The recent Halloween update is absolutely charming, with another winter-themed one scheduled for mid-November to add some chilly seasonal magic. Check out this productivity gem if you’ll be working most of the day — it’s kind of amazing how much you can get done with the combination of body doubling and relaxing music.

Warcraft (of course). Finally, have you met my friend Ted World of Warcraft? Okay I’m not actually going into the Blizzard games, because if you’re here already, you know there is plenty going on in the Blizzard universe.

But if you’ve had enough of battling pixels….

Books to read

Something classic. The end of the year usually kicks off my annual re-read of the Lord of the Rings. It started a few years ago during COVID, right around the 20th anniversary of the Fellowship of the Rings movie release. It’s easy to get lost in Tolkien — the trilogy is long and the universe is vast.

Something funny. Conversely, if you need something ridiculous to act as a form of mental candy, I have two recommendations — Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi and Jenny Lawson’s debut/semi-memoir (semoir sounds like a cooking term) Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. Now, the titles are completely different, but that doesn’t stop them from being the sort of random-giggle-inducing delight that eases anxiety. Plus, the narration is top-notch if you enjoy audiobooks.

Something cozy. If you just need to something to absorb you, check out any kind of cozy mystery. My favorites involve some form of paranormal and utterly mundane elements like vampires and witches meet tea shops or knitting circles; however, you may love something like two elderly lunch ladies investigating a teammate’s murder, or a beagle sleuth and their pet celebrity chef. There’s something for everyone.

But equally bingeable are…

Shows to watch

Fallout. I would be remiss if I didn’t start with the hit Fallout TV show on Amazon. It’s startling how well it ties into the popular game franchise, to the point where I actually started playing Fallout 4 again to re-experience it from a different perspective. The show is already confirmed for a second season, so feel free to binge the currently available episodes knowing more is on the way!

Twisted Metal. Also on the game-based vein is Twisted Metal on Peacock, themed after the Sony vehicular combat title. The cast is truly all-star — Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, and Will Arnett are just the most regular inclusions in the title. That said, be prepared for some absolutely bonkers violence (along with Mackie and a terrifying masked character voiced by Arnett singing Sisqo’s “Thong Song”).

Agatha All Along. I confess I haven’t watched Agatha All Along on Disney+ yet, but it was suggested from three different angles when this post’s topic came up! Clearly the miniseries is incredibly popular and admittedly, I can’t think of the title without getting the now-titular catchy WandaVision song stuck in my head. I asked my strictest TV critic (my sister) for a review, and she summarized it as a fun witchy show with great cast that’s got enough episodes to cover an entire evening. Sold.

Cartoon comfort watches. Sometimes, nothing beats your favorite animated comfort watch. I fall into the category of childless depressed elder Millennials that’s absolutely fallen for the Australian children’s cartoon Bluey. It’s so warm-hearted, with good life lessons for kids, that I just can’t resist it. You might just as easily want to tackle the Gargoyles or Darkwing Duck back catalog on Disney+, Futurama on Hulu, or One Piece on Crunchyroll.

Now, why not pitch a movie? Because you need something to binge, my friend.

And while keeping your eyes busy, here are a few ideas for your hands.

Recipes and handicrafts to, well, try your hand at

Cooking. Did you know we have a collection of recipes right here for your consideration? Writer Rob  Flanagan has shared everything from Diablo-themed cocktails to sugar cookie helms and a beautifully warming beer cheese soup that more than a few of us writers have subsequently cooked. Check out our full collection of recipes for all the options.

Coloring. If you are artistically-inclined, there are plenty of printable coloring sheets available online for your enjoyment. You don’t even require a bunch of colored pencils handy. Grab a couple of pens and try to see how much of the image you can bring alive by layering colors, varying the weight of your lines, stippling, or cross-hatching.

Puzzles. If you’re more puzzle-oriented, today’s the day to get out that monster project. You know what I mean — the one with 1500 pieces that Aunt Margaret gave you for a holiday gift years ago that’s been sitting in the back of a cupboard. The fact that you haven’t opened it yet means you haven’t had a chance to lose any pieces. Dust it off and get cracking.

Crafting. Should you prefer the textile arts, find your knitting needles or crochet hook. It’s time to find a complicated new project with a stitch you’ve never tried before. Practice, frog it, and then get started making an awesome blanket for the cold winter months. (Brr.)

Ultimate distractions that take you out of the house

If you absolutely cannot be near anymore screens, it might be time to face the great outdoors. Take a walk if it’s safe to do so! If it’s not, at least go outside and touch the grass. Maybe find a cool leaf or a flower (please don’t steal a neighbor’s happy blossoms without permission) to bring home and press in a book (stick it between paper towels to avoid staining the pages). Snap a picture instead if you’re concerned about safety — poison oak is not yet dead for the winter.

Go to your regular grocery store or an entirely new (to you) one and pick out a treat with your favorite ingredient in it. Maybe it’s a cookie, a different kind of yogurt, or some juice. I discovered McVitie’s Dark Chocolate Digestives this way and have zero regrets. This might also be a good time to pick up whatever you need for a new recipe!

Ultimately, if you just want a nap, that’s cool too. Naptime is fully Blizzard Watch approved.

If you have suggestions for something nice and distracting to do in the absolute nothing going on today, share them in the comments below. Now drink water, get some rest, and be kind to yourself.