Things To Do When Quarantined

The Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) is the lead story in the media with thousands of people sick around the world and store shelves empty of essentials like toilet paper and bread. Many government officials are recommending that citizens limit their exposure to other people. Now that you are stuck inside trying not to get sick or spread your sickness to others, what do you do with all your spare time?

Put that stockpile of toilet paper and paper towels to good use by building a fort. Not lucky enough to have the Costco super-mega supply of Charmin? Use whatever you've got: chairs, cushions, pillows and a sheet or blanket. Forts make great imaginative play for kids and adults alike and even pets.

Do a dramatic reading of some of your favorite books. Whether your audience is young and you bust out the Dr. Seuss, complete with crazy voices and eyebrow wiggles or your audience is older and you dust off your finest Maine/New Englander accent for some Stephen King, storytime can be the best way to pass the time.

Paper airplanes are a time honored tradition, and the enjoyment is two-fold. First, you fold and decorate your plane, and then you get to fly it. If you're the competitive type, you can race or see whose plane flies farther.

There's nothing like being stuck in the house that makes you want to get outside. Relive memories of the outdoors by catching up on your scrapbooking, whether it is building a collage of your family beach vacation or planning a future ski trip using pictures from brochures, magazines, and the internet, take a mental break somewhere beyond your four walls.

Even if you don't have a Monopoly board handy, there are plenty of games that take little or no supplies. A standard deck of cards can be used to play Solitaire, Poker, Bridge, War, or Rummy. All you need for Pictionary or Charades is some paper and some things for people to guess. Use some spare change or paper balls to toss into a cup or bowl to play an indoor version of beanbags.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by hiding a pot of gold or practice for Easter with plastic eggs. If you don't have these items, pick a stuffed animal or even the remote control. Bonus points for the most creative hiding place.

Turn the treasure hunt into a scavenger hunt with riddles and clues hidden around the house to lead the seeker from place to place.

Examples:

• Find me where your ice cream chills. (The freezer)
• You rest your head here every night. (Bed)
• I'm hanging with the Trix Rabbit and Tony the Tiger. (With the cereal)

Write a journal or letter to someone (a loved one or future self). This can be a great way to vent emotions or see what your fellow virus hostages are thinking.

Pick your favorite medium: water color, finger paint, marker, crayon, colored pencils, or clay. Let your imagination run wild. Create imaginary animals or a family portrait.

There are plenty of surveys out there on social media to tell you about yourself (Are you a Rachel or a Phoebe?), or you can get paid for taking surveys about products and ideas with some apps and websites.

• Paidviewpoint.com
• Surveymonkey.com

You may be cooped up, but you don't have to be stagnant on the couch. Crank some tunes and get your groove on. Do some yoga or pilates. Jog in place or walk a circuit around the house. Play with your pets.

There's no better time to try a new hairstyle than when you are sequestered in your home. Whether you want braids, buns, curls, spikes, or a faux-hawk, go for it! Use washable marker for some fun temporary color streaks.

Sometimes, just moving around the furniture or reorganizing your shelves can make everything feel fresh. Swap out framed pictures with old photos for a sence of nostalgia or freshen things up with something newer. Add some whimsy by hanging Christmas lights.

All it takes is a little creativity to have some fun and keep your sanity during these crazy times. Stay safe, and enjoy your unplugged time.