As we move into what seems like the 100th month of COVID-19 isolation and social distancing, life can get pretty boring stuck at home. In many states we are seeing businesses reclosing to stop the rampant spread of the virus. And forget about summer vacation plans. Even a trip to the grocery store is rough with mandated mask-wearing and limited entry to stores. Not sure what to do with the rest of your COVID summer? We did a little digging to find three unique and creative ways to use your time while stuck at home this summer. We hope they spark your excitement, creativity and passion for you and your family.
Take online dance classes at home
One of the biggest obstacles of the COVID crisis is staying active while staying at home. In many parts of the country (like our home base in Arizona), it’s far too hot to spend a lot of time exercising outdoors. Even going for a walk can cause heatstroke when the temperatures are soaring above 100 degrees. So it’s time to get creative and find ways to get more active while indoors. Why not try out some dance classes? This is something you can do alone or even do as a family. Many dance companies (like DancePlug) are offering discounted online dance instruction through the end of the year. At DancePlug you can choose from beginner to advanced classes in all dance genres including hip-hop, contemporary, ballet, jazz, bollywood and more. Maybe you can start a new OVID tradition of Friday pizza and dance nights. Get your whole family to learn a new choreographed dance then post it on social media and see what all your friends and family think. You’ll probably inspire many others to do something a bit more active while isolating at home.
Start a YouTube channel
A great way to use time creatively during COVID-19, and have lots of fun, is to start your own YouTube channel. Think about what you’re passionate about (or what your family loves) and how you could spin that into videos. Whether you love making slime, drawing, crafting, reading, baking or game-playing, there’s bound to be something you can share with followers. YouTube offers a great get-started guide to take all the guesswork out of starting a YouTube channel of your own. Remember – all the big YouTube personalities had to start somewhere. What a fun and productive way to while away the hours at home. And who knows? Maybe you’ll turn into the next millionaire YouTuber!
Get certified in something
Well now is quite possibly the BEST time to pursue an online college degree, certification or course. Whether you want to learn something just for yourself or upgrade your resume with a new skill, online coursework is the answer. And right now the one thing we all seem to have on our hands is time. Online learning companies like Udemy offer classes in just about any area at ridiculously affordable prices (think $12!). From marketing to IT, design to photography, Udemy has something for everyone. You can learn how to build a mobile app, become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect…and just about anything else you can think up. Or use your extra time to finish your bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University Online, or even start a master’s degree. How proud will you be if you manage to learn something brand new at the end of the COVID madness?
We hope these three suggestions pique your interest or inspire you to come up with your own ideas for what to do at home this summer.