20 fun activities for when you’re staying at home

The weather is getting better, Easter weekend is right around the corner and you’re probably sick of the sight of your own home, your family or housemates. As frustrating as it is having to stay at home, it’s so important for everyone’s safety that we do just that.

So, to help you have a fun Bank Holiday weekend we’ve come up with some activities that will keep you entertained indoors.

#1 Have an indoor picnic

Who says you need to go outdoors to enjoy a picnic? Grab a blanket, make some sandwiches and a flask of tea (or cocktails) and set up camp in the living room. If you want to get really creative, why not try making an indoor fort? Trust us, they’re not just for kids!

 

#2 Set yourself a ‘Masterchef’ invention test

Fancy yourself as a culinary whizz kid? Give yourself the ultimate challenge by picking items at random from your supplies and coming up with a whole new dish. Don’t be afraid to get weird with it, you might come up with the next culinary revolution.

 

#3 Plan an indoor egg hunt

Hide easter eggs all over your home and get your family to find them. They’re bound to miss some, so you’ll have a secret chocolate stash left for the coming weeks. If you’re on your own, why not have a few drinks, hide the eggs then try to find them the next day?

 

#4 Learn to do nail art

Ladies, if you’re having to make do without your monthly manicure, we feel your pain! Instead of living with hideously bare nails, why not watch some YouTube tutorials and learn how to do it yourself? Gents, if you are willing to master this art for your lady she will be forever in your debt!

 

#5 Watch an entire movie franchise back to back

If you’re a naturally lazy person, now is the time to embrace it. Treat yourself to the ultimate lazy day by watching an entire movie franchise. There are so many to choose from but here are some to get you started: Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Star Wars, Lethal Weapon, The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit, Toy Story, The Matrix Trilogy, The Bourne series, Die Hard…

 

#6 Play board games

Crack out those old board games that are gathering dust in the corner for some screen-free fun. Just try not to lose it if your housemates or family don’t play fair – there’s nowhere for you to storm off to except the other room!

 

#7 Create your own game

If you’ve already been playing board games or firing up your consoles, you might be a bit sick of them by now. Why not try inventing your own game instead? Get creative and take elements from your favourite games and blend them into the game to end all games.

 

#8 Film your own cooking show

Ever watched Nigella at work and thought, ‘it can’t be that hard?’ Now is your chance to test out your TV hosting skills. Set up your webcam/smartphone and film yourself making your favourite dish step by step. If it’s not a total riot, send it on to your friends and family and challenge them to make their own.

 

#9 Have a karaoke night

Belt out your favourite songs without the humiliation of strangers watching. You can use karaoke apps or computer games or if you’re singing isn’t up to scratch you can play music through your speakers and have a lip sync battle instead.

 

#10 Read a book

It’s easy to forget about the simple pleasures in the age of social media, streaming and gaming but you can pass a lot of time by getting engrossed in a good book. If you’re not a big reader, you could try an audiobook instead.

 

#11 Take up yoga

Keeping active during lockdown is important, it’s good for your mental and physical health so you should try to get a bit of exercise in. Yoga is known to strengthen your core, increase your flexibility and relax you, so it’s a good allrounder to try out in these stressful times.

 

#12 Invent your own code language

Write out all the letters of the alphabet and assign a different symbol to each and voila you have created your own code. Share it with your friends, family and co-workers so you can keep juicy gossip on the DL.

 

#13 Have a photoshoot

Missing going to interesting places and taking snaps for the gram? Turn your home into a photography set. You can try showcasing your stylish interiors or dressing up in your favourite outfits and using your living space as the backdrop. It might not look as lush as your snaps from Thailand but you gotta work with what you have right now.

 

#14 Have a spa night

Indulge yourself in a night of pampering. We’re talking bubble baths, fizzy wine, face masks, body scrubs, fancy lotions and mani-pedis. Go for the full works and emerge from your spa a new person. This one isn’t just for the girls either, there’s nothing wrong with guys treating themselves a bit of TLC too!

 

#15 Play charades

This classic will keep you entertained for a good few hours as you watch your friend’s or family’s weird attempts to act out their clues.

 

#16 Make a scrapbook

Make a scrapbook of the things you’re missing most. This could be trips you’ve taken, meals you’ve eaten in restaurants, sports you play or nights out with mates. Scrapbooking is surprisingly therapeutic and using your creative side could inspire you to pick up some other crafty hobbies.

 

#17 Learn a new language

Prepare for the day you can leave the country again by learning the language of your dream destination. Keep practising and you’ll never have to sheepishly point to what you want to order from the menu again.

 

#18 Do some DIY

Now is the time to finally get around to that home project you’ve been putting off. Whether it’s painting the spare room or setting up your man cave, you can’t go wrong with a bit of DIY. Just don’t bite off more than you can chew, you don’t want to have to live with a giant hole in your wall until you can call in the experts.

 

#19 Go camping in your garden

Spend a night under the stars in your own back garden. Pitch a tent, grab your sleeping bag and head out back with a bundle of snacks. If you run out of food the kitchen is only a few steps away.

 

#20 Write a song

Take a crack at becoming the next Lewis Capaldi and write your own song. If a wee guy from Bathgate can top the charts, why can’t you?

 

Have fun and stay safe this weekend and remember – if in doubt just whip out the bevvy, it is a bank holiday after all.

Posted on April 9, 2020