10 Fun Things to Do at Home

Fun things to do at home during COVID-19 social distancing.

Staying inside doesn’t mean all fun is over.

You’re doing the responsible thing by practicing social distancing. First of all, thank you. And since you’re spending more time than you’re used to at home, we’re here with some tips to help you make the most of that time. Here are 10 fun things you can do at home.

1. Learn a new recipe.

You still have to eat, and now that you have a bit more time on your hands, you might want to try some new recipes or cook some of the dishes you’ve been meaning to make. So crack open your cookbook or get googling. You might find a new signature dish.

2. Make some art.

You can write, draw, or even paint more. Whatever it is, find something you care deeply about and spend some time creating. If you need some inspiration to get started, check out The Art Assignment to get your creative juices flowing.

3. Watch something you’ve been meaning to for a while.

Streaming’s a big thing. Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Sundance Now, Shudder, the list goes on. The LA Times compiled a great list of free trial periods you can string together to watch some great TV without paying a dime. Some of the sites they suggest are Acorn TV, UMC, Tubi, Crunchyroll, Pluto TV, Plex, Philo, IMDb TV, and PBS.

4. Clean!

So cleaning might not be that fun or exciting, but when you’re done it will feel great, and we don’t just mean your teeth (though you should still be doing that!). Beyond the usual rooms, spend some time and dig into those pesky places you’ve been meaning to get to for months, like under the sofa and behind the fridge.

If you are looking for tips on sanitation and cleaning with preventing illness in mind, here are the CDC’s guidelines for household cleaning.

5. Read a book.

You can also catch up on reading all those books on your shelf that you’ve been meaning to get to. If you’ve already read them all, first of all, congratulations, but now it’s time to find your next book. If you’re not wanting to spend any money, and you have a library card, you can use it to access Libby, which lets you borrow thousands of books and audiobooks for free. There are also collections of public domain works available through sites like Project Gutenberg.

6. Play a game.

Pull out your old boardgames or a deck of cards and get playing! Here’s a list of over 40 great games you can play with nothing but a deck of cards.

7. Practice self-care.

This is especially for the parents, but why limit it to that. Self-care means different things to different people. It could mean meditation, yoga, cooking, drawing, or spending quality time with your partner, your kids, or even some quality time alone. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and encourage those around you to do the same.

8. Social Distancing

So this isn’t a fun thing to do at home, but it’s something that needs to be discussed. Social distancing means staying at home for all nonessential purposes and practicing putting at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Families are historically a hot spot for infectious disease transmission. Unfortunately, this is true for this pandemic and it can place a strain on relationships. Remember to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your face. If you are going to use hand sanitizer, make sure that it is alcohol-based with at least 60% alcohol.

Here are some resources you can use to learn more:

9. Stay informed.

It is important to stay informed using reputable sources. For updates, we suggest checking the CDC website and the World Health Organization. Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security also has a newsletter you can sign up for to stay up-to-date. Keep reading and stay informed.

10. 15 more things you can do.

Here are 15 more things you can do at home for fun because who couldn’t use more ideas!

  1. See who can build the best paper airplane.
  2. Solve some riddles.
  3. Play charades.
  4. Brush and floss your teeth.
  5. Turn up your favorite song and dance!
  6. Rearrange all your furniture.
  7. Read a book out loud to your kids, partner, or even just to yourself.
  8. Do your taxes early!
  9. Try journaling.
  10. Buy a gift card to a local business to support them during this time.
  11. Listen to an audiobook.
  12. Start a vlog.
  13. Catch up on sleep.
  14. Build a pillow fort and spend the whole day in it.
  15. Have an indoor picnic.

11. Don’t forget to be kind.

One more extra. This is an incredibly difficult time for a lot of people, so don’t forget to meet each situation with a little kindness.

Stay safe and don’t forget to floss!

And remember, as of now, our practice will only be seeing emergency patients only (severe pain and/or swelling). If you have an emergency, reach out to us by phone, FAX, or email.