LOCATION-Imagine this: you’re sitting on your couch, the indent of your position clearly showing. The T.V. is changing scenes every minute, but you lost interest days ago. The air conditioner pumps out gushes of cold air, but everyone in your household is still melting like ice cream. Well, no need to imagine. Welcome to a summer quarantine. I know it looks bad, but it doesn’t have to be. It can still be fun and free of boredom just like any other summer! It can still be full of adventures and laughing, just maybe not like your average year. Whoever said life was average, though!
1: The Classics
Now, you are probably wondering, “what do you mean by ‘The Classics?’” Let me explain. Have you ever been told by your parents or others that you should, “Pick up a book and read, or draw, or write?” That’s what I mean by “The Classics.” I mean reading your favorite book, or a new one that was recommended by your friend! Or you can write a short story about the first thing that pops into your head. Maybe a story about aliens or one about plants that come alive, anything is possible! You can even draw in your freetime. You don’t have to be good, but you can still try. Drawing is really fun and is super relaxing if you are having a stressful day. In fact, reading and writing are also a really nice way to re-wind!
2: Online Camps
Before I start, let me reassure you that this is not an ad! I wholeheartedly believe that online camps are a great way to spend your time. They can be educational and fun and there are plenty out there for you to try! From writing at Writopia, to acting at the Atlantic Acting School for Kids, even to a robotics camp for kids at RoboFun! That’s not all! There are at least fifty online camps around the U.S. and probably hundreds of online camps around the world! A good thing about online camps is that you can enjoy all the company of friends in the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to wear uncomfortable shoes to walk around in or even get out of your pajamas (if you’re as lazy as I am). So, imagine having all this at your disposal. Imagine having every opportunity and idea at your fingertips. Well, what are you waiting for?
3: Legos
Okay, you’ve probably heard of legos. If not, they are amazing! Legos are made up of plastic bricks, minifigures, gears and more! Lego bricks can be assembled and connected in many ways to construct objects, including vehicles, buildings and working robots and there are multiple ways of building with them. The first way is the original, going to lego.com or a lego store, picking out the specific lego set you want, buying it, and building and playing with it. The original way is amazing, but a lego set is not cheap. They can range from $100 – $15,000, but don’t fear! Instead of buying the legos, you can go on BrickLink Studio and build your sets from scratch or buy extra pieces. I’ve used it and it is super fun and creative.
4: Coding
What do you think of when you hear the word “coding?” Nerds in glasses? Long pieces of text? Fun times? Well, I think of fun times because coding is a gateway to creative fun and possibilities. When you code, you can create anything! From a game, to an animation, to a website! A good thing about coding in the twenty-first century is that you don’t have to deal with never ending numbers and words! You can use Google sites, Scratch or Swift CodeAcademy! You don’t have to write your own code on any of these websites, you just need to have fun! It’s all free, although to access google sites you need to have an email account.
5: Baking
Yum! Cookies, cupcakes and cakes galore! It makes my mouth water! During quarantine, there is nothing better than to just sit down, kick your feet up and enjoy a nice dessert made by yourself! The feeling of eating something you made is amazing! So don’t worry about what to bake, just make what you love to eat! For example, ever since I was little, I loved to eat banana bread. From breakfast to dinner, I would eat it all the time! Then, when I was old enough to bake by myself, I found the perfect banana bread recipe. To this day I use it! If you want to learn how to make the best banana bread, just click right here!
6: Zoom/FaceTime/Skype
Ever since quarantine began, we have all turned into technology wizards. No matter what level you were at before. So, what better to do than put your skills to the test and Zoom with your friends! We’ve all been away from our friends and family, and it is comforting to see the smiles spread across their faces as you laugh with them, sing with them or even just talk to them. So get out your computer, phone or tablet, click on your friends’ contact and just call them to see how they are doing and what they are up to. You can do anything with your friends, it’s all up to you!
So, there you have it! Six ideas to defeat a summer quarantine. Now, get off the couch, turn off the TV and enjoy life and the small things! We may be in quarantine, but quarantine doesn’t have to be “The Boss.” You can still have fun with your friends over Zoom; having a meal with them and laughing. Or bake something sweet and share it with your neighbor. Maybe even take the time to sign up for a cool class that sparks your interest. There are tons of things, and all you have to do is enjoy them!
