When you love to travel, quarantines, stay-at-home orders, and curfews can feel very confining! Kong Management Group has put together some ideas to help you stay busy during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, besides watching Netflix (and, yes, we saw Tiger King too). Until you can visit us in Tampa Bay and Hallandale Beach, here is a list of our favorite things to do at home:
1. Start a journal
This is such an unprecedented time in world history and writing about your life in a journal is a good way to record it. Journaling also helps people process their thoughts, contributing to reducing stress and anxiety!
2. Go to the virtual zoo
Zoos may be closed to the public, but you can still visit with the animals while you stay safe at home! ZooMiami has a Meercat cam, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. has a Panda-cam, the San Diego Zoo in California features several live cameras, and the Florida Aquarium has a daily “Sea-Span” videos.
3. Take a drive
The Sunshine State offers many scenic locations that you can experience from the safety of your car! If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, head to the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which connects Pinellas to Manatee County, or to Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa for some amazing waterfront views. Just make sure to drive safely and practice social distancing!
4. Go camping (in your living room or backyard)
With many campgrounds closed and stay-at-home orders issued, camping in the great outdoors may not seem possible right now, but what’s stopping you from camping at home? Pick a spot in a spacious room or in your backyard to set up your tent!
5. Go on a virtual roller coaster
Theme parks are closed, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss roller coasters and other thrill rides. Through YouTube, you can get a front road seat on Disney World’s Space Mountain in Orlando or the brand-new Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
6. Take an online exercise class
You don’t have to spend a dime or leave the house to get fit! A ton of free exercise classes are available on YouTube, like Yoga with Adriene, Sweat with SELF, Popsugar Fitness, and Blogilates, so you can find the right one for you.
7. Go on a virtual museum tour
If you have an Internet connection, you have a ticket to premier museums around the world! A virtual tour of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, featuring works from artists like Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, and Giotto di Bondone, is just a click of the mouse away. At the Museum of National History in Washington, D.C., you can take a 360-degree walking tour of its exhibits, including the Hall of Mammals, Insect Zoo, and Dinosaurs and Hall of Paleobiology. You can even cross the ocean without leaving the coach, with a virtual tour the home of the Mona Lisa, the Louvre in Paris, France.
8. Try new recipes
With grocery store shelves a little bare, it’s a great time to get creative with your pantry staples, like pasta, rice, beans, and canned vegetables. Here are some ideas from Epicurious for amazing pasta dishes from ingredients you most likely have on hand!
9. Listen to a podcast
If you love listening to stories, you’ll also love podcasts! Most are free and are available on many different platforms. If you’re into true-crime, documentaries, history, culture, or comedy, there’s likely a great option to help you pass the time! And, yes, there’s even one on the Tiger King!
10. Plan a virtual happy hour
While social distancing rules are in effect, in-person social gatherings are not a good idea. However, you can still get together with friends and family online! Just choose a platform, like Zoom or Facebook Messenger, set the time, and get the word out! Grab a drink and get ready to gab!
11. Make yourself a music playlist
Are you old enough to remember mix tapes? Because now is the perfect time to revive that trend! Create a playlist of your favorite songs and enjoy the music.
12. Dance
Now that you have that new playlist, it’s time to dance! Whether you’re trying to learn trending TikTok choreography or just having fun, dance is a fun way to get moving. You can also refine your dance technique with online classes, like Move with Colour’s free videos!
13. Clean out your closet
Don’t just watch Marie Kondo cleaning out other people’s closets on Netflix! Take this time to clean and organize your own home. The decluttering process can be satisfying, and it’s also a great opportunity for you to donate items to a local charity (in good condition) that can help someone else!
14. Work in the garden
It’s perfectly acceptable to head outside and get your hands dirty in the garden (but make sure to wash them as soon as you come in). Take care of your plants, weed your flower beds, reseed your lawn, or even plant seeds you have on hand. Just remember to stay in your own garden and stay at least 6 feet away from your neighbors!
15. Call your mom
This goes without saying! Call your mom!
16. Watch a Broadway musical online
Broadway theaters may be closed until at least June, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss a show! To the relief of theater-lovers, you can watch live recordings of original Broadway productions on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BroadwayHD! Click here for a great guide.
17. Write letters
Especially if you can’t see your loved ones in person, letter writing is a great way to connect. Whether you’re sending a quick hello or a hand-made card, a letter can make someone’s day! As an added bonus, handwriting letters can be satisfying to write and a good record of these crazy times.
18. Read a book (or two)
Have you ever said that you’re too busy to read? Well, pick up those books you’ve been putting aside! When you read, you can escape into another world for just a bit, which helps to take your mind off your worries and ease anxiety. Time Magazine has a list of “30 Books to Read While Social Distancing”, along with resources for free eBooks!
19. Play a board game
Whether you are quarantine alone or with family, you can play board games! With lots of your favorite games online, like Monopoly and Life, you can play against others while still maintaining social distance.
20. Take a nap
After all of that activities, you’ve earned a good nap!
Kong Management Group is a full-service property management company, based in Tampa and serving several regions throughout Florida. We help connect potential renters to both long-term and short-term housing opportunities, and our goal is to create a quality living experience for everyone. Our ever-expanding portfolio includes properties in Hillsborough County (Tampa Bay), Pasco County (Zephyrhills), and Broward County (Hallandale Beach), including single-family homes, townhouses, condos, recreational vehicle/mobile home parks, and tiny home communities. Contact us at 866-499-9026 or email us for more information!
