If your house is anything like our house, people are already going a little stir crazy. While we are loving the extra time together (okay, that might be just me), there’s only so much time kids can spend in the house before they start to just….well, you know. Just in case your house is like our house, I thought I would share some things that might help keep you and yours entertained during your time at home.
Games and puzzles. My family loves puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, logic puzzles, all kinds of puzzles. Penny Press has free daily puzzles that you can print. You can also check out these puzzles to print, though we haven’t actually tried these. (Let me know your thoughts.) My kiddos also love games. Board games, card games, and video games. You can find a list of lots of new card games to try over at playingcarddecks.com. I don’t know much about video games, but I’ve heard this Animal Crossing game is fun. What I do know about video games is that Super Mario Brothers is the best game ever and you can play it here.
Make something yum to eat. You can check out some of the recipes I have on the blog or, of course, find something on Pinterest. You can also use this time to improve your eating habits or shopping habits. Meal planning and meal prepping are both excellent habits to add to your routines.
Make something fun to drink. Once again, you can check out my Pinterest board, take a look at my recipes, or just be creative.
Have a spa night. Take a hot bath, make DIY sugar scrubs, or try a new face mask. I used a Rael Hydrolock Face Mask the other night and it was great. You can also try out these DIY recipes for Toothpaste and Deodorant.
Read. This probably should have been first on the list. If you have time, use it to read. Not sure what to read? Check out my TBR list or find me on Goodreads. You can also check out popular online Book Clubs from Reese and Oprah. Prefer audio books? Scribd has 30 days free with no commitment or credit card required. I also know a lot of people who like Audible. I’ve not personally used either of those services, so these are just suggestions, not recommendations.
Watch movies. Bonus points if you read the book first and then watch the movie. Right now, we’re streaming Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. I would love your recommendations on what to watch next.
Clean. Maybe not the most fun recommendation, but you are already at home. May as well get those chores done. Do some decluttering. Organize your closet. Toss out those old magazines. If it’s nice out, do some yardwork. It’s also a great time for home repairs, if you’re handy and can do them yourself. (If you’re not, check out YouTube.) Dan took this time to change the garage code that our daughters shared with half the high school and fix the dryer tubing. Super exciting times.
Take a nap. We all need our immune systems in optimum shape right now. So slow down. Get some rest.
Be creative! Learn a new craft or skill. Knitting, crocheting, painting, soap making (my favorite), needlepoint, sewing, decoupage, mosaics, the list goes on! Check out Pinterest for additional inspiration.
Learn something new. Order a musical instrument and find some lessons on YouTube. Try out coding. Learn a foreign language. Something out of your comfort zone.
Spend time with friends – virtually, that is. Set a skype date. Even better, bring back the old fashioned handwritten letter. Cards (handmade or store bought) are always nice, as well.
Start a website. If you’re interested in starting your own blog, there are tons of resources online. WordPress is pretty easy for most people (not so much me, but most people) to work with. I use Hostgator for my sites and I have been really pleased so far. (Speaking of this – I have two new websites that I’m working on right now!)
Take pictures. Snapshots during a family game of Monopoly, semi-formal family pics because you finally have all the kids home at the same time, before and after of your room makeover, whatever strikes your fancy.
Shop. ONLINE ONLY. Stay out of the stores, if possible. But if you’re anything like me, you frequently find yourself saying, “I really need to get some new….” and then forget to get whatever it is. A lot of stores are offering free shipping right now, so if there are things you’ve been meaning to get or that your family needs, you may as well get some shopping done while you’re home. Before you shop, check out Rakuten and get cash back. I have used this site religiously for years. Just in the last year, I got over $100 in cash back for things that I would have bought regardless. Might as well get a little back.
Take care of yourself. Exercise! There are so many options available right now. As long as you are respecting the social distancing recommendations, it’s totally ok to go out for a walk or a run. Do yoga in your backyard. Or check out any of the companies offering free in-home workouts right now! Openfit comes highly recommended, although I have not personally tried their services. My personal workout routine is a long run (at least two miles, preferably more) followed by a yoga cool-down in my living room. I figure that if I’m over 40 and can still run multiple miles at a decent pace without feeling like I’m going to die, I must not be doing too bad. Full disclosure, working out while in quarantine is a little difficult for me due to the change in routine, so I encourage you to give yourself some grace and do what works best for you. You can also color, journal, or just enjoy some time alone (sneak out into the backyard or, if really necessary, hide in the bathroom for a bit). This is a stressful time for everyone and it’s okay to admit that. It’s okay to be nervous and even scared. Take time for yourself. Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself some grace. This, too, shall pass.
**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you decide to purchase anything from the linked companies. Unless otherwise stated, I only recommend products I use and like.
