Lists

Staying Entertained while Staying Away

As you're aware, our world is going through an interesting time of needing to stay quarantined, clean, and away from each other. This can lead to feelings of isolation and boredom, if you're anything like me. Especially now that spring is starting to appear around parts of North America, outside temperatures are warming up, which is usually when we like to gather and be around each other. But when we can't, what do we do instead? Here are some ideas on how to keep yourself and your family entertained and away from boredom while needing to social distance and "quarantine."

Table of Contents

Adults & Teens

  • Go on a hike (interpretive trails are especially awesome as you get to learn along the way) 
  • Go for a bike ride 
  • Begin or continue journaling 
  • Write that book 
  • Read a book that has been on the shelf for a while
  • Complete a 1,000+ piece puzzle 
  • Create a bucket list
  • Paint something
  • Go camping 
  • Go canoeing
  • Go birding 
  • Go on a nature walk
  • Try scrapbooking 
  • Make your own photo scavenger hunt 
  • Bake treats 
  • Make jewelry 
  • Make a wood pallet craft 
  • Make greeting cards 
  • Make a household item like soap or cleaner 
  • Learn a new subject 
  • Organize (i.e. garage, cabinets, drawers, electronic files, etc.)
  • Create a budget 
  • Tackle that to-do list 
  • Play board games 
  • Learn an instrument 
  • Learn a language 
  • Take a virtual exercise or dance class 
  • Go geocaching 
  • Plant a garden or start seedlings inside 
  • Play virtual charades with a friend on Skype/FaceTime
  • Go on a picnic
  • Create a vision board
  • Go through your clothes to donate 
  • Try a new craft
  • Have an at-home spa day 

Children & Toddlers

  • Build a fort out of boxes, blankets, pillows, couches
  • Visit a local trail for a walk (especially an interpretive trail that will have signs to look and learn)
  • Go on a nature walk to identify leaves, bugs, animals, trees
    •  For the older children who can be alone: send them on a scavenger hunt
  • Go on a bike ride 
  • Color or paint boxes (i.e. Amazon boxes)
  • Color by number and paint by number activities
  • Create with pipe cleaners and Cheerios 
  • Put pipe cleaners through holes of a colander 
  • Play with Play-doh or modeling clay 
  • Color in coloring books 
  • Play learning games 
  • Play with a sensory tub or sensory table
  • Read unread books that have been on the shelf 
  • Fingerpaint 
  • Create an at-home treasure hunt 
  • Learn a new word or topic 
  • Learn an instrument 
  • Learn a language 
  • Make a time capsule to open 5 years from now 
  • Craft a sock puppet family and put on a puppet show 
  • Go on a picnic
  • Make up a dance to your favorite song 
  • Play board games 
  • Put a puzzle together 

Thank you for reading! What ideas have you been doing to keep yourself or others entertained during this time? I'd love to learn more and add them to the list!

12 thoughts on “Staying Entertained while Staying Away”

  1. Shelby says:

    These are some great tips! My toddler is hitting the terrible twos so I have been looking for things to do!

  2. Tiara says:

    Great ideas! I have been using this new free time to try and learn Spanish.

  3. Sophie says:

    Such a great list! Def going to do some of these!!

  4. Sabika says:

    Love these lists! I’ve done a lot of reorganizing in the past few days. Thinking of starting a new hobby now or get my painting kit out.

    1. Me too! There have been some awesome ideas out there. Yes! Organizing has definitely been happening around here too. Great idea to get out your painting kit!!! <3

  5. Ana says:

    Great suggestions. I’m keeping a list of ideas to throw out when we need a little distraction. Thanks for the help!

  6. Greg says:

    Thanks for the list. Will have to add this to my collection.

  7. Bobbie says:

    Great list of things to do

  8. Kristine says:

    Great list with plenty of things to do for adults and kids! Thanks for the ideas!

  9. erika says:

    This is a great time to do some short story writing and completing a puzzle. I totally forgot I had a puzzle! Hopefully, my family can finish it lol Great list (:

  10. Mariam says:

    Great list! I like how you’ve included ideas for children as well. It’s important to stay busy these days.

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  11. Love these! Time to put our free time to good use.

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