Ok, ok... I know... you're sick of hearing about it, so I won't even call it by name, but this whole staying inside thing has definitely gotten the world turned a bit topsy. As an extroverted introvert, I can usually go at least 48 hours alone at home without feeling like a crazy person, but I know that some of y'all are going a bit nuts. I also know that there are lots of entities around the world that are doing all sorts of really cool free stuff to help pass the time, but seeing zillions of links every time I log in to Facebook has made me a week bit crazy. With that in mind, I thought I'd compile a list of some of the coolest time-passers I've found... and you don't need to leave your house/yard to enjoy them!
: travel and culture
Online museum tours- Travel & Culture magazine released this compilation of museums around the world that offer free virtual tours. I also know, because of a student question the week before we moved to remote schooling, that you can take a virtual tour of the Anne Frank House/Museum.
Virtual Disney rides- Since all of the Disney Parks are closed and many families have had to cancel their spring break vacations, a brilliant person somewhere has compiled these videos of several beloved Disney rides, so you can enjoy them from your couch!
Stream ballets- I grew up dancing, so I tend to find professional ballets kind of fascinating. I haven't found any theaters that are live streaming productions, but the Royal Opera House has a Youtube channel that has lots of great ballet videos.
Stream operas- The Metropolitan Opera in NYC is currently streaming operas from their "Live in HD" series. A different opera streams every night, and they just extended their run!
: TV
Amazon Prime: We are slightly obsessed with "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and are about to re-watch all of the episodes that are out. "Downton Abbey" is great escapism and I like that the entire series is done, so it is possible to binge-watch all the way from the beginning to the end. We also just discovered that you can stream "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" on Prime, which has been an absolute delight/reversion to childhood.
Disney +: Our current favorites are "Lost Cities with Albert Lin," "The Mandalorian," and The Imagineering Story."
Kanopy: This is a movie-streaming app that many public library districts subscribe to. Download the app, make an account (usually linked to your library card), and get 10 streams a month. This app is focused on indie movies, documentaries, and other thought-provoking films. A few of our favorites are "On The Way to School," "Vanishing of the Bees," and "Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation."
Netflix: We have been loving "The Kindness Diaries," "The Chef Show," and "Love Your Garden."
: learning
Audit online courses- There are lots of sites that host free online classes through Harvard, MIT, and other Ive League universities. You can audit for free or many of them let you pay for a certificate of completion. Check these out on edX or Class Central. Yale University also recently announced that they will be offering their most popular course, The Science of Well Being, for free!
DuoLingo- Download the app or login online to work on your language skills. There is a free version and a paid version that removes ads. You can set it up to get daily reminders to complete lessons!
Escape rooms- I will admit that I have never done an escape room before, but a friend posted this online Hogwarts escape room and I've left the tab open for days! I'm trying to muster the courage to give it a go!
freerice.com- I wrote a blog post about Freerice a few weeks ago as part of March Mega Kind Madness, so if you'd like an in-depth run down of what it is, you can read it HERE. Basically, you can learn new things while donating grains of rice through the World Food Programme.
: exercise
Find live classes- I have several friends who are fitness instructors and who have been posting live classes via Facebook TV. I also just stumbled across this article about all sorts of fitness studios that are streaming live fitness classes for free while we are locked down!
Yoga with Adriene- Adriene is kind of the best! Even if you've never done yoga before, her videos make it fun and easy to give it a go. She also modifies things to increase complexity, if that's your cup of tea. Her month-long yoga challenges are great ways to keep moving!
PopSugar Fitness- They have all sorts of workouts to target specific areas, but also have full classes. This cardio workout kicked my booty!
: miscellaneous time passers
Finally read that bestseller that's been sitting on your nightstand for the last year and a half.
Get creative in the kitchen- Supercook is a website that allows you to enter the ingredients that you have on hand and then it spits out recipes that you can make with those ingredients. Since grocery stores tend to be woefully understocked these days, this is a great way to use what you have.
Jump in puddles, play with chalk (or if you don't have kids, maybe experiment with drawing mandalas as a method of creative meditation), blow bubbles, get really good at hoola hooping, run around the yard with the dog, etc.
Kon Mari your house- You know, clear out the things that don't bring you joy and find new ways to organize the items that you keep. Deep clean the house as you go!
Listen to podcasts- I love true crime and mystery. Some of my current favorite podcasts are: "My Favorite Murder," "Criminal," "Lore," and "Case File True Crime." I also recently stumbled across a short 3-episode podcast from The New York Times called "Jungle Prince" that was kind of a wonderful, yet heartbreaking story. I'd love more suggestions.
Wrap up those pesky household update projects that have been hanging over you for months.
These are just a few ideas that I've come across online, had fun with in real life, or had friends who have enjoyed! I hope that this guide will help you to thrive through this wonky time!
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