With an uncertain time ahead, one thing could be pretty certain and that is time spent at home is set to increase. Whether opting to self-isolate or children off school with a cough or simply trying to avoid busy places at the weekend. We are going to need to fill our time differently. With all my normal go-to activities not available to me, I’ve had to think out the box a little. So, I’m swapping a trip to the local park or making use of our annual membership card to the local farm park and I’ve put my thinking cap on. So I have come up with my top five quarantine activities.
1. Baking
Nothing like some good old-fashioned baking. Not only can we bake a cake for a relatively cheap cost, the fun of breaking eggs, mixing and adding ingredients is not outdone by the icing of the cake especially with a few added drops of food colouring. A good afternoon can be passed in the kitchen.
2. Arts and crafts
I embraced the glitter and glue this morning and started making some Easter decorations. I am not going to lie it was messy but seeing the fun on the little ones face just about made it worthwhile! Next on the list is Easter cards, especially for our elderly relatively that we may not get to see now, along with Easter bonnets!
3. Board games
Getting my little one into snakes and ladders has been a dream. He will play for hours and hours and it has really helped his adding up and confidence with numbers too. It also helps with turn taking, following rules and the life long skill of learning to lose!
4. Playdoh
So I took on the challenge of making play doh (not going to lie, buying it is worth it for the time spent and then it didn’t last more than a day) but passed a good amount of time nonetheless. Plus, it was lovely watching the little ones choosing their own colours to make the play doh. Then they got the rolling pins and cutters out and had lots of fun for a good few hours.
5. Plant seeds
A firm favourite of mine, we are lucky enough to have a good sized garden, although this could be done and popped on a window sill. My little one just loves the whole concept of planting something and watching it grow and watering it and his little face when it pops up through the soil. I have even just planted some herbs to help with adding some flavours in the kitchen over the coming months.
Whatever you end up doing to pass the time, I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and we can all pull through this in the best possible state we can. Let’s support one another and look after ourselves and others and be kind!