Fun things to do at home: ways to stay optimistic during the Coronavirus pandemic

Even when times are difficult, and the outside world beckons adventure, it’s best to stay in and explore fun things to do at home.

The deadly Coronavirus affecting millions across the world made the world come to a standstill for almost a year. While few countries have eased the lockdown and a handful have resumed tourism, the time has come for us to know that safety is in our hands, literally.

Ever since the pandemic became a global emergency, the UAE government has taken strict precautionary measures to keep the Covid-19 infections at bay, building separate medical facilities, sanitizing the nooks and corners, and containing the virus outbreak in the region. A recent report obtained exclusively by VoucherCodesUAE notes that GCC’s COVID-19 recovery rate is well above the global average.

But the safest thing to do in the pandemic is actually to stay home until and unless it’s an emergency or your work demands you to venture outside. Brutal but the honest reality is that until and unless a vaccine is out, the world is still unsafe.

‘Stay home save lives’ sounds great and all, but we know how boredom takes over. We present to you the fun things you can do at home to keep yourself entertained and thoroughly optimistic. Who says a bucket list is only for the outdoors?

Tried and tested ways to stay positive during coronavirus pandemic

The precautions advised by WHO include staying home indoors, maintaining social distance, and regularly washing hands. Now that safety is in your hands, here are some of the fun things you can do at home alone or as a family activity to avoid boredom and panic.

Play indoor games with your family

Use this time of emergency to bond with your family and catch up with their lives. Play a board game together and bring out that winning streak in you. Some of the best mind-stimulating board games we recommend are:

1. Monopoly
2. Scrabble
3. Scotland Yard
4. Othello
5. Game of Life
6. Twister
7. Cards Against Humanity
8. Taboo
9. Sequence
10. Ludo

All available at noon, use Noon promo code when ordering.

Here’s another list of indoor games that will definitely reenergize you and your family members, stimulate your mind, strengthen the bond, and keep boredom out of the house. On the ideal day of family fun, our pick is definitely table tennis, also foosball, and Classic Jenga. If you have a kid at home then try out mini basketball.

Binge on Netflix

Now’s the time where binging on Netflix can be guilt-free and relaxing. With new shows coming up on the streaming network, it is a task to filter the binge-worthy ones. Here’s our list of the top 10 Netflix must-watch.

1. Pose
2. Peaky Blinders
3. The Witcher
4. The Crown
5. Queer Eye
6. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
7. Neon Genesis Evangelion
8. Stranger Things
9. BoJack Horsemen
10. Lock and Key

Netflix with its streaming together option can easily render a movie night with the whole family. We also have a list of best Anime on Netflix, as well as the best Valentine’s day movies and Korean flicks. If you have not renewed your Netflix subscription then YouTube is already in the palm of your hands.

Set up a restaurant at home

Staying home may be all fun and games in the beginning, but it becomes a dull affair after the third day. So, in order to get the feels, set up a restaurant at home. Or have an indoor picnic. It will be a fun thing to do. You may even order your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant, provided you know the hygiene of the place. Use Uber Eats coupons, Deliveroo promo codes, and even The Entertainer coupons to order with the right discount codes for home deliveries.

For the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha, you can try these delicacies at home. For something sweet, why not make ice creams at home with the best ice cream makers? As quarantine specials, you can even bake cookies and cakes for yourself and your loved one.

Nurture your hobbies

Staying in can help you put your thoughts into perspective and nurture your hobbies. It’s okay to stay away from Facebook, Instagram, and all Social Media platforms if you feel like it, and holistically focus on nurturing yourself. If you haven’t created your masterpiece, then here’s a good time. Slide away from reality for once and paint your heart out, write that poem you always wanted to, make your own jewelry, and sing your favorite song. Give life to your creative ideas as one of the accomplishments of your summer activities. Do all the productive things now that you always wanted to; nurture your hobbies.

Learn a new skill

Keep positive and learn a new skill. There are ample apps and online classes to teach you languages, watch tutorials on yoga, exercise with your family, and do things that keep you positive, motivated, and strong. Hell, learn a magic trick if you want!

If you aren’t too much of a reader, then get into the habit. We recommend these top 10 books of today.

1. Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
2. Becoming
3. War and Peace
4. Lolita
5. To Kill a Mockingbird
6. 1984
7. The Great Gatsby
8. The Book Thief
9. Little Women
10. Animal Farm

Organize a Scavenger Hunt

Another fun activity to keep the family engaged and busy is to organize a Scavenger Hunt or a Treasure Hunt. This age-old game played by adults, kids, and older kids alike entail you to list and hide objects around the house. The players can be divided into two teams or can be played individually. The first clue is given and the hunt for the hidden objects begins. The one with the most clues bags the winning title. The game requires a bit of prep but is definitely one of the best boredom busters for the entire family.

Just so you know, you can even organize a Scavenger Hunt on Zoom.

Build an indoor obstacle course

This idea is for the parents who are having a tough time keeping their younger kids and toddlers entertained. With online classes becoming the norm, it’s imperative to take away some screen time. Why not engage them with a sheer kids activity of building an indoor playground? It’s a lot less complicated than you think.

Here’s what you’ll need to curate the obstacle course:

1. Chairs

2. Hula Hoops

3. Cardboard box

4. Balance Board

5. Laundry Basket

6. Sidewalk chalk

7. Vision Board

Simply curate the course. It can be done in your backyard as well as in the living room. Let them crawl under the chair, do the hoola hoops five times. Put a bean bag under the laundry basket, and tread on boxes. After the successful completion of this task, you can perhaps let them build their own blanket fort. This one really works.

Be kind to yourself

Unlike learning a new skill, this one is about doing things that already make you feel good. Hone your craft, and treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath. On a rainy day, make yourself your favorite snack, on sunny days, wear your favorite hat, and on days you feel down, call your favorite person. Do things that make you feel good and empowered.

There’s very little that we can do, but to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, practice these measures advised by the World Health Organization.

1. Wash your hands often using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
2. When coughing and sneezing cover the mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue.
3. Wear a mask preferably -95
4. Avoided close contact and crowded spaces

Check coronavirus preventive measures to stay safe!