Creative and Fun Things to Do at Home

As the number of people affected by COVID-19 continues to rise, more and more areas all over the globe are being put on lockdown. Staying at home, practising physical distancing and following the instructions issued by the World Health Organization are the necessary steps you should take in order to protect yourself and the people around you.

Many governments have implemented various measures that should help flatten the curve and protect those that are in the biggest danger. Some of these measures include shutting down certain businesses, encouraging people to work from home and imposing curfews on the residents.

Regardless of the reason why you are confined to your home, you will probably have a lot of free time on your hands. Even if you work from home, you will probably start getting bored after a while and not to mention the scenario where your business is shut down and you're stuck inside. However, whether you are alone, with your roommates or kids, there are many fun and creative things you can do to pass the time. Take a look below for some activities that will help take your mind of this pandemic.

Creative and Fun Things to Do at Home During Lockdown 

 Have a big cleaning session

Call it spring cleaning or fall cleaning, this can sometimes be a tedious chore. However, some people also find it invigorating and relaxing and this is exactly the time when we need something that will make us feel better. You can decide to do everything in one day or you can spread it over the week and clean one room each day. Throw out all the items you don't need, or better yet – donate them to the people in need. Get rid of all expired items and those you haven't used in a long time. After you're done decluttering, get to cleaning. Dust, vacuum and mop. Rearrange the furniture if you think there is a better layout. Play some music, put on your cleaning gloves and disinfect everything.

If you have roommates or you live with your family, hopefully, you stocked up on some board games. They are selling out like crazy and you will surely want something to help you pass the time. From cards and puzzles through Monopoly all the way to Jenga, you have plenty of options. You can even organize championships over several days to see who the best player is.

Seeing as how you will be spending a lot of time indoors, it might finally be the time to get that video game that you've always wanted to play but just couldn't find the time in your busy schedule. If you don't have any work to do, who knows, maybe you finish it in a week and then you can move on to another one. Look for discounts as you can surely find a good deal.

With so many streaming services available, it's very easy to find a show, documentary or film that will interest you. From new releases to some iconic sitcoms and family movies, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and other platforms have got you covered. What is more, if you own boxsets of your all-time favourite shows, you don't even have to pay for various services. Plus, there are many companies that are releasing their movies early and on-demand as people can no longer go see them in the cinemas. However, do remember to take a break every once in a while as staring at the screen 24/7 is not good for you.

In addition to shows and movies, plenty of theatre plays and musicals are now being officially uploaded online. From BroadwayHD that offers some of the biggest names in the game such as Swan Lake, Phantom of the Opera and King Lear to other smaller productions, there are many classics you can enjoy while in self-quarantine. On the other hand, official festival accounts are uploading full sets from concerts which means that chances are high that you can stumble upon your favourite band's performance that you were not able to catch in person. Plus, more and more artists are choosing to do a live performance for their fans during this difficult time, whether on YouTube or Instagram Live so keep an eye on that as well. For example, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is inviting audiences to watch free performances every Thursday on YouTube.

If you have a backyard, you are very lucky in these circumstances. You don't have to be cooped up inside all the time as those living in an apartment. Therefore, try to look for outdoor activities that your kids and pets will appreciate as well. For example, if you have some gear, you can throw an impromptu camping adventure in your yard. If the weather allows it, pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows and tell ghost stories. Alternatively, set up some sort of obstacle course and create an award ceremony for the winners. For instance, you can get customized photography backdrops in Sydney to make the pictures of the event memorable.

Something else you can do outdoors but also inside is exercising. It is vital to stay active during this time as physical activity can help boost our mood and improve our mental health. The good thing about this is that you don't need a lot of equipment. Having some can be of help, but you can also turn to yoga, simple exercises like sit-ups, push-up, and stretching. You can make some makeshift weights or jump rope as well. It's very easy to find online tutorials and challenges that can help keep you in shape.

What better time to experiment with new recipes than now? If you have enough supplies and groceries, you can start making a new dish every day. Look for recipes online, watch YouTube tutorials or get those cookbooks that have been on your shelf forever and surprise your family with something they never tried before. Also, you can involve your kids in this activity as well as they will definitely love spending quality time with you and helping you out in the kitchen.

If you've been too stressed with work or this situation is slowly getting to you, it is time to focus on yourself and have some me-time. For instance, start by running a bath, throwing in some bath salts and lighting a few candles. Pour yourself a glass of wine, read a book and chill for a while. Once you're out, you can do a facial, paint your nails, do your hair and whatever else you feel like doing during this time you've dedicated to yourself.

Finally, just because you're physically distancing from people, that doesn't mean you have to isolate yourself completely. If you happen to live alone or your loved ones are not currently in your country, set up times during the week when you can check in with each other. Voice or video calls, it doesn't matter as long as you get to hear how they are holding up and what they are doing during this outbreak.

Staying inside all day long can be hard, especially when we don't know how long these circumstances are going to last. Therefore, finding something that interests you and helps you spend the time in a fun manner is vital. In addition to the activities we listed above, here are so many things you can try out, from knitting and sewing to painting and inventing new games. Stay strong and wash your hands!