Ideas · Updated November 2026

30 Things to Do While Listening to Audiobooks

One of the best things about audiobooks is that you can listen while doing something else. Some activities keep your hands busy, some get you moving and some are all about slowing down.

Here are 30 things to do while listening to an audiobook, grouped by type. Pick the one that fits your day.

By Peter Clemens · Originally published October 2021 · Updated November 2026

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Get Things Done

Tasks that keep your hands busy and your mind free are the classic match for an audiobook.

1. Clean the house

Cleaning is the easy one. A fast-paced thriller or a funny memoir makes the time go quickly, and you will want to keep going to hear what happens next.

2. Fold laundry

It is repetitive, a little dull and takes about the right amount of time for a chapter or two.

3. Meal prep

Chopping and portioning for the week goes faster with a story in your ears.

4. Cook or bake

Recipes need your eyes, but the stirring and waiting do not. Food memoirs are a natural fit, and my list of food and cooking audiobooks has plenty to pick from.

5. Garden

Weeding, planting and watering all keep your hands busy. Pick something you can follow in short bursts, like essays or a lighter novel.

6. Clean out your email inbox

Nobody loves it, and a good narrator makes it less of a chore. Pick something easy to follow so you do not lose the plot when you stop to answer an email.

7. Commute to work

Public transit, driving or biking, it turns dead time into your reading time. A good set of headphones or car setup helps, and my guide to the best headphones and earbuds for audiobooks covers the options.

Get Moving

Exercise and audiobooks are a good pairing, since you can walk much farther when you want to hear the next chapter.

8. Take a long walk or hike

A long walk is probably the best way to get through an audiobook. Download the book ahead of time in case you lose signal on the trail.

9. Walk the dog

Your dog gets a longer walk and you get a few more chapters. Everyone wins.

10. Exercise

At the gym or at home, a book can take your mind off the effort. See my running audiobooks for ideas, many of which work for any workout.

11. Stretch

Slow stretching at the end of the day pairs well with a calm, easy-to-follow listen.

12. Swim laps

Waterproof headphones with their own storage let you listen in the pool. Laps are quite meditative and a book makes them go faster.

13. Go fruit picking

Apples, blueberries and strawberries all take a while to pick, and a chapter or two goes by before you notice.

14. Beachcomb

Wandering along the shoreline looking for shells and sea glass is slow and relaxing, with plenty of room for a story.

Slow Down and Relax

Not every audiobook has to be paired with a task. Sometimes the point is to do nothing much at all.

15. Soak in the tub

Bring your phone or speaker, but keep it away from the water. A long bath is a good time for a novel you are enjoying.

16. Sit in front of a fire

A fireplace, a firepit or a campfire is a good setting for a story. A ghost story or a mystery works well.

17. Relax outdoors

At the beach, at a park or in your backyard, listening is a good alternative to a physical book when it is bright out.

18. Drink wine

A glass of wine and a good narrator makes for a nice evening. Choose something you will not mind rewinding.

19. Drift off to sleep

Many of us fall asleep to a familiar book. Use the sleep timer so the book does not play all night, and see my audiobooks to help you sleep.

20. Take a scenic drive

A long drive through good scenery is a nice time for a story, and my list of audiobooks for road trips covers listens for any length of trip.

21. People watch at a coffee shop

Grab a coffee, put in one earbud and watch the world go by. It is a pleasant way to spend an hour with a book.

22. Visit a museum

Some museums have audio guides, but you can also bring your own. A nonfiction book on a topic related to what you are seeing can add a lot. Just keep the volume low out of respect for others.

Creative and Hands-On

Crafts and hobbies are a natural fit, since they occupy your hands but leave your mind free to follow a story.

23. Do a jigsaw puzzle

Puzzles and audiobooks go together well, and a mystery or a gentle novel suits the slow pace. Mystery audiobooks are an easy choice.

24. Knit

The repetitive rhythm of knitting suits a long audiobook. Pick something you can follow without looking at the screen.

25. Color or draw

Adult coloring books and sketching leave your ears free. A long novel is a good choice for a big project.

26. Paint

Whether it is a canvas or a room, painting is easier with a story playing. Try a book with a strong narrator.

27. Whittle

Wood carving is slow and satisfying, and a good book keeps you company during the long stretches.

28. Do a craft project

Scrapbooking, jewelry making and other crafts all pair well with a book. Choose something that does not need a lot of counting.

29. Paint your nails or do your hair

Home beauty routines can take a while. A book helps pass the time between coats, and short books are a good fit. See short audiobooks you can finish in under six hours.

30. Play video games

Slow, repetitive games like Minecraft or farming sims leave your mind free. Skip games with a lot of dialogue and choose a book you already know if you need to concentrate.

Things to do while listening to audiobooks: common questions

What is the best thing to do while listening to an audiobook?

Walking is hard to beat, since it is easy to do and you can cover a lot of ground. Cleaning, cooking and crafts are also popular.

Can you listen to audiobooks while working?

It depends on the job. Repetitive tasks work well, but anything that needs your full attention does not. If your work involves reading or writing, you may find it hard to follow a book at the same time.

How do you pay attention to an audiobook?

Pick a task that does not need much thought, and choose a book that holds your interest. If you lose track, rewind 30 seconds. Slowing the narration speed down or speeding it up can also help.

What audiobooks are best for chores?

Fast-moving novels, memoirs and funny books work well. See my guide to audiobook tips for more ideas.

What do you need to listen while doing something else?

A phone with an audiobook app and a good pair of headphones or a speaker are enough. My guide to devices for listening to audiobooks covers the options.

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