Most of these activities can be done for free and without staring at screens.
1. Do a puzzle!
Ivy RobinsonWhether it's 100 pieces or 1000, puzzles are a mind-working hobby that gives your eyes a much-needed break from screens.
Some alternatives are word searches, crossword puzzles, or Rubik's cubes.
2. Practice/Learn an instrument
man playing acoustic guitar selective focus photographyPhoto by Jacek Dylag on UnsplashIf you have an instrument that you haven't played in years, dust it off and get to playing! If you don't have one, you could easily make one out of household objects.
3. Write something
fountain pen on black lined paperPhoto by Aaron Burden on UnsplashWhether it's a letter, diary, poem, or song, writing can be very therapeutic. Sometimes it can be relaxing to just let your feelings out on paper.
4. Learn a new language
letter wood stamp lotPhoto by Amador Loureiro on UnsplashNow, I find it easiest to use Duolingo. Yes, it is on a screen, but once you have gained basic knowledge, you can make vocabulary lists and practice with friends.
5. Read a book
photo of library with turned on lightsPhoto by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on UnsplashBooks are amazing! There are books for everyone, no matter their age or interests.
6. Meditate/Yoga
woman doing yoga meditation on brown parquet flooringPhoto by Jared Rice on UnsplashMeditation and yoga can be very uplifting experiences. You can find peace with your inner self and just ignore worldly issues for a little while.
7. At-home spa day
Gardener votive candle on tablePhoto by Nico on UnsplashSome ideas for this activity are taking a hot bath/shower, doing a foot bath, relax in a robe and slippers, paint your nails, light some candles, or do a full skin routine.
8. Do an art project
three silver paint brushes on white textilePhoto by Anna Kolosyuk on UnsplashPaint a room, do paper-mache, up-cycle some old clothes, follow a Bob Ross tutorial, or sketch your dream house. There are endless varieties in the world of art.
9. Play some games
six assorted-color dicePhoto by Robert Coelho on UnsplashBoard games or card games are excellent for some quality family time. There are even some single-player games like solitaire for when you don't want to be around family.
10. Clean or Organize Something
assorted-color container lotPhoto by Edgar Chaparro on UnsplashYou could start with just a cabinet or go for cleaning the entire house! This is also a good time to try on ALL your clothes and make a donation pile. Marie Kondo would be very proud!
11. Bake or cook
wooden ladle and spatula on top of tablePhoto by Calum Lewis on UnsplashPull out those old recipe books and get to work! For a little bit of "risk", flip to a random page and bake or cook whatever you land on.
12. Work out
orange and black usb cable on brown wooden surfacePhoto by Kelly Sikkema on UnsplashFollow some home workouts to get yourself back in shape after months of downtime!
13. Make a fort
www.youtube.comThis is a nostalgic experience to change the rooms you have been staring at for WAY too long.
14. Change your hair
Photo by Luis Quintero on UnsplashMild: part it the other way, braid it, curl it, straighten it, try a wig
Extreme: cut it, dye it, shave it all off
15. Make a scrapbook
flatlay photography of stuffs on white surfacePhoto by Estée Janssens on UnsplashFill a book with all your favorite pre-isolation memories.
16. Make a list
person writing bucket list on bookPhoto by Glenn Carstens-Peters on UnsplashList ideas: bucket list, favorite movies/TV shows, friends/family, to-do list, etc.
17. Rearrange your furniture
Rearranging your furniture can give an updated feel to your current coronavirus prison.
18. Train your pet (or child)
dog balancing on wheelPhoto by Kevin Jarrett on UnsplashPet: teach them to shake, roll over, sit, speak, or anything else that is relevant to your pet
Child: potty-train them, or teach them how to get a cup of water, or do the laundry (varies greatly on the age of the child)
If you don't have any pets or children, teach yourself something new!
19. Build something
Jengga blocks during daytimePhoto by Nathan Dumlao on UnsplashWhether it is a lego set, Jenga tower, or a piece of IKEA furniture, building can be a productive use of your time.
20. Switch hands for a day
person's left palmPhoto by Kira auf der Heide on UnsplashTry using your non-dominant hand for some basic activities, or challenge yourself to try something difficult.
