10 fun online activities

With just under half of the world’s population now having access to the internet, there is a huge range of things to do online to stay informed and entertained. It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start however with so much out there, so we’ve put together a handy top 10 of things to browse and do online activities.

1. Watch a movie or TV show

Watching films and shows on a television set is now pretty old-fashioned, with internet TV now paving the way when it comes to the latest titles. Streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon and NowTV have thousands of titles to choose from, but free services like YouTube, BBC’s IPlayer and Channel Four’s online service has plenty of TV, all free to watch.

1. Plan your next break

Booking a holiday is so easy online, with hundreds of cheap flight and price comparison services. Why not spend some time over TripAdvisor, meticulously sifting your way through tons of great hotels and restaurants to make your next holiday one to remember.

1. Renovate your home

Going to your local DIY store for inspiration can sometimes be a bit dull, so why not see what people around the world are doing to make their abodes a bit more homely? Whether it’s scanning the boards over at Pinterest or checking out design ideas at Homify, there are millions of fresh new ideas posted every day to make sure your home is up to scratch.

1. Research an interesting topic

The internet was kind of designed for this and many spend hours of their life finding as much out about their chosen topic as possible. From hobbies to historical events, there is plenty of free information out there. Tread carefully however, as everything you read online isn’t necessarily true, so only use trusted sources, especially if you are thinking of publishing or submitting your work as part of your studies.

1. Catch up on the latest gossip

What better way to burn a few hours than reading about the latest celebrity scandals. Although there are literally thousands of gossip pages out there, you’re better off sticking to good old fashioned journalism. Mail Online is the Holy Grail, but the Huffington Post, Sun Online and Heat Magazine’s website have plenty of trash to keep you going for a few hours!

1. Read the news

There isn’t much point in buying a newspaper, thanks to the endless amount of free news available no matter where you live. The BBC’s news website is full of content and the latest stories, but Sky, CNN and all of the major UK papers have plenty to make sure you stay up to date.

1. Play online slots

Slot gaming has been brought firmly into the 21^stcentury, leaving the old-fashioned three reel machines in the dust. Wink Slots offers a massive range of modern slot games, with great themes, amazing graphics and fun sound effects offering hours of fun for players. Their selection of TV and movie themed games ensure that players of all ages feel welcome on the site. Some of the most popular slots on the site are games that are based on the hit movies, The Nightmare on Elm Street and Titanic. Wink also has the best jackpots on the web, so you could walk away with a life-changing sum of money if you get lucky.

1. Improve your finances

If you’ve got some spare time, why not try and save some cash in the process? Whether it’s looking for a new bank, reducing your car insurance through a price comparison website or checking to see if you could get a better offer on your utilities, there are lots of service providers out there who are all looking to win your business by making a better offer!

1. Research your family tree

Genealogy has opened up massively thanks to records now being available online. Some websites will offer full access to UK birth, marriage and death records going back several hundred years for a small fee, so why not find out your origins and learn something new about your family history in the process?

1. Catch up with old friends

Social media websites are now so common that it’s almost impossible not have a profile. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even Tinder, it has never been so easy to look up people you haven’t spoken with for a while and re-connect. Why not arrange a school reunion or arrange to meet up with friends from your last place of work?

The internet is an incredible place with so much to offer, with lots of us using it to run our daily lives, learn more about the world and even make money. With a bit of practice and knowledge about the best sites that will fuel your interests, caution must be taken to avoid losing lots of hours to interesting documentaries and celebrity shock stories!