During these troubling times of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more states are telling people to stay home and only go out if it is an emergency. This will help “flatten the curve” and hopefully bring an end to this sooner rather than later. With that being said, all this time at home can lead to some serious boredom. We have compiled a short list of things to do while you are stuck at home. Feel free to comment your own ideas for staying busy during your time at home.
Play Charades
This game has existed for such a long time and yet it never grows old. You can buy charade games already packaged. However, feel free to make up your own.
Each family member can contribute by writing down charades on index cards. Watching your family members act out the charade while the others are guessing is guaranteed to be a night full of fun and laughter.
Play Board Games
Board games are an excellent way to have fun at home. There are so many options to choose from. The great thing about board games is that you are able to interact with everyone while playing. Let the games begin!
Have a BBQ
It’s always enjoyable to have a barbecue. You can cook up your food and eat outside. After you are finished, have a campfire and tell scary stories. Remember how fun it is to sit around a campfire telling stories. Make this happen in your yard. Enjoy the night sky. Most of all, enjoy each other!
Home Workouts together
A host family that works out together stays together, even though the gyms are closed a family can always workout at home. Basic exercises can keep someone active even in quarantine. Calisthenics and plyometrics can keep someone in shape while the quarantine blows over.
Arts and Crafts
Painting, drawing, and other arts and crafts are a great way to stay busy. Not only will it keep you occupied, but your final creations can be placed around the house to liven up your home.
Puzzles
Puzzle-making is a calming way to spend time together at home. Hours can be spent finding just the right pieces to add to the puzzle. The best part is when you see the finished product. This isn’t a one-night activity, so set aside a place that the puzzle can be undisturbed. You can find mats that roll your puzzle up when you aren’t working on it. If you have a spare table that isn’t used daily, you could have it there on display and readily available to continue on.
Have a cooking/baking night
Two different cultures teaching each other how to make each other’s cultures food. Each person involved can learn how to make either a new type of food together or create multiple dishes.
Movie Night
There are many movies that have sequels. Pick a genre that your family would enjoy. Plan for a whole evening of back-to-back viewing of the movies. Make sure you have plenty of popcorn and snacks on hand! If you want to be really creative, find props that go with the movie and set them out. You can even make a dessert that matches the movie theme. May the force be with you!
Have an Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Everyone loves hunting for hidden things. Type up a list of things that need to be found and give everyone a list. The things can be inside your home or even outdoors around the yard. Put a time limit on how long they have to locate the articles. Be creative. You can even put some things in the form of clues, so everyone has to figure out what the object is. Have a small prize for the winner.
Obstacle Course
Created a difficult obstacle course inside and outside your house, have goals and make it team oriented to build better chemistry between host family and exchange student.
