The internet gives us a lot to do when we're bored. There are social networks, browser games, an endless supply of news, and plenty of other things. But what about when you're even bored of all that?

There are times when you find yourself bored of routine. You need something different—something whimsical. Boredom isn't always cured by entertainment. Sometimes you need to take your mind where it hasn't been.

Ask, and the internet shall provide. These boredom-busting sites have the cure for your ennui.

1. URL Roulette

StumbleUpon was the biggest site to find random pages on the web. It even spawned several alternatives, all of whom were about recommending links to fellow bored netizens. URL Roulette follows the same ideology, but with a small twist.

It's a system of "pay it forward." When you visit the site, you will see a place to enter a link. If you already have one in mind, simply key it in. Otherwise, start typing and URL Roulette will give you suggestions from your browser history.

Once you submit your entry, URL Roulette will show you the link left in its stash by the person before you. And so, it's kind of a game of tag, where you are getting and sharing interesting links.

2. I Am Shocked [Broken URL Removed]

Did you know that actor Heath Ledger locked himself in a hotel room for a month to prepare for his role as Joker in The Dark Knight? For other such mind-boggling facts, go to I Am Shocked.

Look, the internet already has plenty of websites with strange and unusual facts. What makes I Am Shocked worth a visit? It's the minimalism.

You get one fact at a time, and it's usually a single sentence. At best, you'll get a picture with the words, but it's mostly only words. Want another fact? Click the button. Had your fill? Close the tab. Whenever you're bored again, head to the site for a new series of shocking tidbits.

3. The Bored Button

StumbleUpon often had atrocious links that no one could possibly like. Some pages almost seemed like a prank. The Bored Button is like an edited version of StumbleUpon, where every page is entertaining.

The links span a variety of categories, from frustrating one-button games to fun quizzes that reveal a little bit more about yourself. At all times, there's a banner on top. Don't like what you got? Click the red "Bored" button in the banner to go to the next recommended page. If you land on a page you like, feel free to remove the banner on top.

The Bored Button shows a random set of websites every time you use it. You'll find that some pages repeat often, but hey, you can't have everything for free.

4. The Faces of Facebook

Some websites are mesmerizing without doing much. The Faces of Facebook is a strange concept where you will spend far more time than you thought you would.

The entire site is a humongous collage of the profile pictures of every single person on Facebook. That's 1.2 billion people's photos in one page of the internet!

When you're zoomed out, it's a colorful array of dots. Click anywhere to zoom in for a closer look at many faces. You can also log in with your Facebook account to find where you are in this massive collage. Or you can remove yourself from the page if you want to protect your Facebook privacy.

5. This Is Sand

It's hard to explain why we love doing some things. Sand is peculiar, isn't it? The way it runs through your fingers, or when you pour it out. It's oddly comforting.

This Is Sand takes that innate connection we have with sand, and turns it into an addictive website. Click the mouse to start dropping sand. Fill up the screen with that satisfying whoosh. Change the color of the sand as you go, creating strange landscapes and murals. Boy, before you know it, you'll have wasted 15 minutes and come out feeling weirdly happy.

Oh, and if you like This Is Sand, you should check out this collection of oddly satisfying websites to tickle your brain's pleasure center.

Got a Hidden Gem to Beat Boredom?

Where do you go to when you're bored? No, no, don't tell us boring answers like Facebook or a popular online game. We're looking for those hidden gems of infinite entertainment, like The Useless Web and its cohorts.

What's your boredom-buster on the internet?

Image Credits: stock_shot/Shutterstock