64 Creative Ways To Spend Your Time
A List Of Ideas To Help Keep You Entertained While Social Distancing
From the 24-hour news cycle to the constant social media posts, it can be tough to focus on anything other than the coronavirus these days. While it's definitely important to stay informed about the current circumstances, it's equally important that you're taking care of yourself while you do it. The things you'd typically do to lift your spirits—hitting up the gym, visiting a friend, treating yourself to a spa day—most likely aren't an option, so you may be starting to feel a little stir-crazy. That's why we compiled a list of over 64 unique (and mostly free) ways you can keep yourself busy while you're stuck inside—all of which are sure to distract you from the stresses of the world right now. From getting creative in the kitchen to finally reading that book you bought months ago, keep scrolling to see our ideas for making the most of your time at home.
1. Practice self-care. Light a candle, turn on some soothing tunes, prepare a bubble bath, and enjoy an evening of relaxation.
2. Show your skin some love and do a face mask. Need a suggestion? View our Top 10 Face Masks for glowing skin.
3. Read, read, and read. Now’s the time to tackle the long list of books on your bucket list once and for all.
4. Join a virtual book club. Need some accountability to help you conquer your new reading goal? Host or take part in an online book club. Reading is always more fun when you have someone to share your thoughts with.
5. Take advantage of free streaming services. Below are a few companies that are offering free services or extended trial periods.
- Netflix
- Quibi
- Hulu
- Sling TV
6. Party with Netflix. Whether you took our advice above and started your free Netflix trial or you’ve been a member for years, the streaming service just launched a new feature called Netflix Party. Now you and your friends enjoy the aspect of watching a show together from your individual locations.
7. Become a wine connoisseur. Don’t waste time at a grocery store trying to figure out which bottle to buy next. Instead, try a service like Winc, Bright Cellars, Vinebox, or Firstleaf, and get wine you’re guaranteed to love delivered straight to your door.
8. Start a journal and keep sane. Yes, there are mental health benefits linked to journaling.
9. Become your own DJ. We encourage you to make a mood-boosting playlist to share with your friends and family.
10. Sharpen your cooking skills. There’s never been a better time to get creative in the kitchen, and the internet has tons of resources to offer these days.
Instagram Accounts
Virtual Classes
- America’s Test Kitchen Online Cooking School
- Rouxbe
- Fest
Apps
11. Bake those goods. If you need some inspo, check out Christina Tosi (aka the founder of Milk Bar) on Instagram. She goes live every day at 2 p.m. EST
12. Buy an adult coloring book and de-stress.
13. Catch up on sleep. You deserve it.
14. Complete a puzzle. Keyword: complete.
15. Deep clean your closet. Or any room in your house, for that matter. Dust your ceiling fans, change your air filters, and tidy up your cabinets. Check out our Closet Organization Guide and Top 10 Cleaning Products On Amazon to get you in the mood.
16. Get organized. Our CEO is loving these bins from The Container Store, but you can check out our Top 10 lists of the best home, drawer, and pantry organizers for even more options.
17. Sell old and unworn clothes on Poshmark or The RealReal. Cash money.
18. Host a Zoom happy hour. Now’s the perfect time for that quarantini recipe you found on Pinterest.
19. Give yourself a mani-pedi.
20. Shop online. Retail therapy is a thing.
21. Try a new workout. From virtual classes to fitness apps, there are tons of ways to crush your fitness goals even when you’re stuck inside.
Classes
- Obe
- Barre3
- Sky Ting
- P.volve
Apps
- Sweat
- Aaptiv
- Peloton
Instagram Accounts
- Y7 Yoga
- Bandier
22. Order takeout from a local restaurant and have a cozy night in.
23. Meditate. Here are some free apps you can download right now:
- Calm
- Aura
24. Start a new binge-worthy series. We highly recommend Little Fires Everywhere.
25. Visit a museum from your couch. You can find free virtual tours here:
26. Tie-dye something. This best-selling kit makes it super easy.
27. Transform your hair by trying out a deep conditioning hair mask. You’ll regret this a lot less than the boxed dye.
28. Find a new favorite podcast.
29. Go for a walk.
30. Start a home improvement project. Spruce up an old piece of furniture or paint a wall or two—you’ll be surprised what a difference it can make.
31. Foster a pet.
32. Plant a garden.
33. Get hold of your finances and build a budget. Download an app to guide you through it. We’re big fans of Mint and Digit here at Rank & Style.
34. Become an expert in a new field by signing up for MasterClass.
35. Learn a foreign language. Download Duolingo for a free option or take the plunge and invest in Rosetta Stone.
36. Make a photo album. Those digital photos will look much cuter in a coffee table book than hiding in the depths of your computer storage.
37. Create your own flower arrangement. Next time you're at the grocery store, buy some flowers to arrange and display in your home.
38. Pick up cross-stitching.
39. Purchase some yarn online and finally teach yourself how to crochet or knit.
40. Grow your mind. Harvard and Yale are both offering online free classes.
41. Video-chat your loved ones.
42. Throw a virtual game night. Jackbox Games makes this super easy.
43. Dance. It’s good for the body, mind, and soul.
44. Learn how to make whipped coffee. Dalgona coffee, anyone?
45. Take a Hogwarts course.
46. Stretch it out. Join New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck on IGTV to help you loosen up your body.
47. Re-arrange a room. Tap into your inner interior decorator by experimenting with a new room layout.
48. Clean your makeup brushes.
49. Explore new interests. Head on over to Airbnb to learn more.
50. Join Tik Tok. It's our new favorite way to connect.
51. Make a non-surgical (and cute!) face mask.
52. Tour NASA.
53. Enjoy a Broadway show.
54. Teach yourself how to play a new instrument. Fender Play is currently offering three free months of lessons.
55. Listen to some live music.
56. Reconnect with an old sport. Biking? Rollerblading? Jump roping? Virtual Beer Pong?
57. Invest in some whitening strips. You’re stuck inside and now have no excuse to start whitening your teeth.
58. Become a self-tanning pro. We’ve got some tips and tricks to help you out.
59. Brunch in bed. No lines. No pants. No problem.
60. Pick up the phone. Your friends and family are just a phone call away.
61. Travel—virtually. Ever wanted to see the Grand Canyon or The Northern Lights? Now you can.
62. Bargain shop. If you need some more online retail therapy, check out our Weekly Sale Roundup to discover the best deals happening on the internet.
63. Give back. Click here to discover how you can volunteer remotely.
64. Count your blessings. Though it may not seem like it, there's still a lot to be thankful for.
Have kids? Check out the 10 bonus ideas below for entertaining the whole family at home.
1. Go to Disney World.
2. Bake as family. Now would be the perfect time to experiment and create a new family recipe.
3. Sign up for Little Sous. This monthly delivery-box cooking club for kids is a total blast.
4. Make a fort. Transform your living room into an indoor camping spot.
5. Take an art class. NYT best-selling illustrator Wendy Macnaughton teaches live on Instagram every weekday at 1:00 p.m. EST.
6. Have Dolly read to your kids. The singer is currently reading children’s books online every night at 7 p.m. EST. We know, so cute.
7. Have a movie marathon. We challenge you to watch all four Toy Story movies in one day.
8. See some animals. Check in on the open-sea cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, make a virtual visit to the Cincinnati Zoo, or watch a live stream of some cute koalas at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
9. Visit a children’s museum. The Boston Children’s Museum has free virtual tours.
10. Go back to the classics. Card games, board games, legos, or dominos—you really can't go wrong.
Opening image: Photo by Croissant on Unsplash
April 20, 2020
Written By:Rank & Style
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