Below are the latest additions to “Stuck at Home Doesn’t Have to Mean Bored at Home.”
The purpose of the original post and these updates is to provide ideas for maintaining some quality of life while on lock down. Note that the original post is updated regularly to contain all of the suggestions, including the updates; these separate update posts are intended to provide an easy way to know what’s new. (I know that these posts are entirely unrelated to the general subject matter of the blog. But, given the circumstances and that I have received a surprising number of appreciative comments about it, I plan to continue for the foreseeable future.)
If you have found things not on my list that others may benefit from, please send them to me, and I will include them in the next update.
In the meantime, enjoy! . . .
Home Not Alone (with Kids)
Who as a kid hasn’t played something like Travel and Leisure’s “Spot-the-difference Game”? (Though this one is focused on travel, you can easily create the same game with pictures of things that your child would be especially interested in by Photoshopping in some subtle changes.)
Aquariums, Zoos & Museums
The Boston Children’s Museum has tons of activities. (We previously noted their virtual tour – and cautioned to stay out of the gift shop!)
The Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo have live events every day at 1:30 (EDT), including “animal cuteness, chats with our care staff, crafts and activities to do at home, and more.”
The Van Gogh Museum is also online with some very cool virtual tours.
Music
Digital Trends has a regularly updated list of live-streaming concerts: “Watch these virtual concert livestreams during your social distancing.”
Boston Magazine identified that jazz pianist “Yoko Miwa Keeps Her Flame Burning in Quarantine.”
On April 18 (from 2:00 to 8:00 PM EDT), don’t miss One World: Together At Home (streaming on tons of services) to support frontline healthcare workers and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Cooking, Cookies, and Other Food Options
Looking for really good quality meat? A recommendation from a friend is Alpine Butcher in Lowell, MA, which is now shipping around the country.
Missing Panera? How about Panera Grocery for pick up or home delivery?
Looking for takeout or delivery in Boston? “These Boston Restaurants Are Now Offering Meal Kits and Grocery Items.”
Assuming you’re not going to the supermarket, Boston Magazine offers these “Innovative Ways to Buy Fresh Produce and Groceries in Boston Right Now.”
Photography
If you’re in need of creative inspiration, Nikon compiled a series of suggestions from its Nikon Ambassadors for “Staying Creative at Home.”
Exercise
I am continuing to highlight The Fix Personal Training, the personal training website of a very close friend and colleague, Paula Astl, who is probably in the best shape of anyone I’ve ever known. And she’ll train you online or outside at a safe 6+ foot distance!
Personal Grooming
Should you cut your hair? Wired has interviewed some hairdressers who advise against it, but say, “So you really want to cut your own hair. Well, here’s how.”
If you’re feeling less than satisfied by that, Elle says, “If You’re Going To Cut Your Hair At Home, Read This First.”
If you’re looking for more guidance, LifeHacker tells “How to Not Eff Up Your DIY Haircut.”
And, Good Housekeeping tells “How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home Like a Pro,” complete with suggested videos.
Travel (Virtually)
I’ve now broken this out into a separate group. The first two links have been identified before, but the NYT’s list is new.
Do you miss Pike Place Market? Need to see the fish toss? Enjoy!
Need to see what’s happening in other parts of the world? How about EarthCam’s Times Square webcam?
For a long list, The New York Times has a terrific list of “52 Places, Virtually.”
Random / Other Lists
- Boston Magazine offers “Things to Stream This Weekend in Boston.”
A particularly cute list is a video, “100 things you need to try at home!,” by TheSorryGirls.
Finally,
Don’t miss out on the latest episode of “American Hedgehog Warrior, Quarantine Edition.”