9 Ways to Enjoy Quarantine This Winter

It’s winter time and we’re stuck in a strange limbo. At this point in the year, even during a “normal” year, we all become a little stir-crazy. And for those of us who are doing our part by taking our local pandemic precautions seriously, we feel more trapped than ever.

The end of the pandemic is in sight, but still so far out of reach, and everyone is getting sick of waiting for things to get better. We want to enjoy the present, and luckily all that takes is a little creativity.

I’ve gathered a list of some cheap, safe, non-virtual (because let’s face it, we’re also sick of Zoom) activities that will hopefully save you and your quarantine bubble from yet another boring night of watching Netflix at home.

1. Sledding

Where there’s a hill, there’s a way! Sleds are usually pretty cheap to buy, but you could also find an effective substitute (such as the lid of a bin) and still pick up quite a bit of speed. This is such a fun winter activity that so many of us have not participated in since we were kids. Tubing is also a great option and just as exciting!

2. Coloring Books

Okay, does anyone else love adult coloring books? I jumped in on this trend last year, and it’s a lot of fun! I was very artistic as a child, and I’ve had a blast getting back in touch with my creative side. This is a great, mindless (yet fulfilling and healthy!) activity to do while on a phone call with a friend or family member.

3. Game Night

Sometimes it seems hard to play a game when you can only hang out with one or two other people, but there are actually a lot of good small-group games out there! It’s easy enough to do a quick Google search to find a new card game to try out. Kings in the Corner, Go Fish, and Trash are personal favorites of mine, and you can play them all with a basic deck of cards. Scrabble and Monopoly are also widely-loved classics and can be played for hours on end.

4. Craft Night

Picking up a new hobby with your quarantine group is the perfect way to spend a chilly winter evening. Find a cute Pinterest DIY, or try your hand at a new skill like painting or crocheting. It’s a fun way to spend time with your closest friend group, and by the end of the night you are left with a fun, unique treasure to cherish.

5. Visit Local Shops and Antique Stores

Small businesses are still struggling in this pandemic, so shopping small is a great way to help out the community and occupy your time — as long as it is safe for you to do so, of course. Keep an eye on Covid cases and guidelines in your area, and avoid crowded indoor spaces. Otherwise, cozying up with a cup of coffee and window shopping on a mild winter day can be a great way to pass time!

6. Go for a Walk

Walking is a great way to spend time with people who aren’t necessarily in your bubble. Those of us who live in the Midwest may have to wait for the weather to heat up a bit, but, once it does, find a forest preserve or neat walking path to explore. Or simply walk around your neighborhood. Your body and mind will thank you for the exercise!

7. Dress Up

We’ve been living in sweatpants and t-shirts for almost a whole year. Stop looking for a reason to dress nice, and just do it! If you’re like me, you have indulged in a little online shopping during quarantine and have an array of cute clothes that you are just dying to wear out on the town. Well, don’t wait! Do your hair and makeup, paint your nails, try on new outfits, and just have fun with it.

8. Drive Around

Sometimes it’s more about the journey than the destination. If you have nowhere to go, just put on some good music and go for a drive around town. It’s weirdly cathartic, and if you take a family member or roommate along for the ride, you might get some interesting conversations out of it.

9. Experiment with a New Recipe

Have fun planning a fancy or difficult meal that you’ve never had the time to try out before. One of my favorite things to do is cook with friends, but even if you are quarantined alone, an empty kitchen gets a lot more exciting with the right music playlist blasting. If you want to go a little simpler, I would highly recommend investing in a Crock-pot/slow cooker. There is nothing better than a yummy beef stew on a chilly winter’s day, and Crock-pot recipes are so simple to make!