How to Have Fun With a Broken Leg

Decorating Your Cast

Paint something fun on it. Use some paint to turn your cast into something pretty. Just pick something you enjoy. Many people turn their casts into limbs of their favorite superheroes, but you can also be inspired by a favorite snack or beverage, a sports team, your city, or just a pretty scene. If you're not talented enough to do it yourself, ask an artistic friend to make you a paint-by-numbers with a permanent marker, then you can fill it in with paint. It's probably best to use a more permanent paint such as acrylic. If you use spray paint, be sure to protect your skin with a shield of some kind, such as plastic bags.

Draw on it in permanent marker. Instead of paint, try drawing patterns on your cast in permanent marker. If you're not much of an artist, start with a black marker, and draw random intersecting lines. Fill in the gaps you made with some of your favorite colors.

Have people sign it. Of course, one of the classic ways to make your cast more fun is to have other people sign it. If you want to do something more unique, have other people draw on it instead of signing it. Each person can add something to the overall picture.

Use decorative tape. From washi tape to decorative duct tape, tape comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns these days. If you're not the artistic type, you can wrap your cast in patterns of tape to help make it more colorful and fun.

Engaging in Fun Activities

Enjoy some television time. If you already have cable, great, you have plenty of time to watch it. On the other hand, if you don't have much money, try some of the streaming services. Many streaming services offer unlimited movies and television shows for one low price per month. Pick one or two to subscribe to. You can watch them on your computer or use a smart television or streaming device to watch them on your television.

Catch up on your reading. If you have an e-reader and a library card, you probably have access to a large number of books. Simply log on to your library's website, and find the section on e-books. Most libraries have e-books you can check out to read for a certain length of time (usually 2 weeks).

Take up board games. While you may be stuck at home, that doesn't mean you have to be bored to tears. Try inviting a couple of friends over for a game night. Ask them to bring any games they like (and have a couple on hand), and then you can order pizza to make it simple on yourself.

Try puzzles. Puzzles of any kind can be fun, from word puzzles to jigsaw puzzles. You can find a whole slew of crossword puzzles online, for instance, or you can often find them in your local newspaper. Dollar stores often have books of puzzles, such as sudoku, for cheap.

Find new music. Many websites offer free music that you can listen to in an unlimited supply. For instance, if you use Spotify on your computer, you can listen to a large number of albums for free, though you'll also hear some ads. With Pandora, you can make customized radio stations by inputting music you like, and then Pandora will add other music to the station that is similar to what you like. Both of these services are free on your computer, though you can pay to get rid of the ads.

Try a day at the gym. If you have someone who can drive you to the gym, you can use the resistance machines for the upper body, such as a lat pull down. You can also do weightlifting, such as shoulder presses and bench presses, and other exercises, such as ab crunches. If you can afford it, ask the gym if a personal trainer can spend some time with you to figure out what you can do while you're not able to use your leg.

Getting Creative

Color with adult coloring books. Coloring is not just for kids anymore. You'll find a range of books made for adults on many online retailers and in many big-name book stores. Alternatively, many websites have pages you can print out for free. In fact, coloring can be stress-reducing, so it has other benefits.

Craft to your heart's content. If you enjoy getting creative, try crafting while you are laid up with a broken foot. You may need some help getting set up, but once you are, you can settle in to make anything you'd like. For example, you could make a heart-shaped wreath by bending a metal coat hanger into a heart shape, covering the metal outline with pool noodles, and decorating the surface with yarn pom-poms. You could also make a collage with a collection of dried leaves. If you need ideas to get started, try sites like Martha Stewart's website or Pinterest.

Start your own blog. If you're laid up with a broken leg, that means you'll have plenty of computer time. A blog is a great way to keep your mind occupied, and many sites let you host one for free, such as Blogger. Write one about your life, or start a blog on what you are an expert on. They can be on anything, from cooking to parenting.

Take up writing. If blogging isn't your thing, you can still spend some time writing. Work on that novel you've been thinking about for years, or try your hand at a few poems. If you're not sure where to start, try checking out an e-book on writing from your library.

Take up crocheting. If you've never crocheted before, you can get started pretty easily. You'll need a few basic supplies, including a hook, yarn, and scissors. You can find many tutorials online for how to crochet. Try videos on YouTube to get started. Get an I-9 hook. Crochet hooks are listed either by letter (I) or number (9), though many list both. The I-9 is a medium-to-large hook that is a good place to start. Pick a medium weight yarn (look for the number "4"). Try to pick a solid, bright color to begin. Have a pair of scissors on hand for snipping the yarn.

Using Your Time Educationally

Work on learning a language. If you have a smartphone, you can use an app to start learning a new language. One popular and free app is Duolingo. Many of these programs are set up in a game style to keep you motivated. If you don't have a smartphone, you can also use a tablet or a computer.

Learn to code. Coding is a sought-after skill in many fields, so learning to code is definitely a plus. Many places on the internet offer free coding classes, such as Code Academy, MIT OpenCourseware, and Free Code Camp. Some lessons are set up more like a game, while others are just straight-forward tutorials you read through.

Take free online courses. Expand your mind by taking free online courses from professors around the world. Many sites are offering courses where you can listen to lectures, engage with other students, and even earn certificates in a wide variety of topics. Try Khan Academy or Coursera to get started. Some universities are offering these types of courses directly through their websites. While you won't get course credit, you can still learn a great deal. One university you can look into is Princeton University.