Family Fun Ideas to Prevent Boredom During Isolation

Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan is continually evolving in order to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. As cases rise and fall, varying levels of lockdown are enforced by the state and there are different restrictions on retail, dining, gyms, entertainment, and personal services including salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops. No matter where the state is on the dial, the state still recommends that residents wear facial coverings, stay six feet away from others, work remotely if possible, and get themselves tested. As all of these restrictions are tough to deal with and boredom sets in, here are 16 things to do during quarantine in Blaine.

Physical and Healthy Activity

There are many benefits to exercising and getting out to enjoy nature. Consider visiting a park, gym, or yoga studio in Blaine.

Visit a Local Park

By visiting a local park, you will treat your lungs to fresh air and get some much needed vitamin D, a critical nutrient for your immune system, blood cells, and bones. Spending time outside in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, boost creativity, and help you connect with other people. There are 65 parks available in Blaine as well as an extensive trail system. You should definitely check out Aquatore Park, Springbrook Nature Center, Aurelia Park, Silverwood Park, and Locke County Park. Also consider heading over to nearby Brooklyn Park for some family fun. Burn calories while walking or bike riding and meet up with friends and family members in a safe way. 

Do Some Yoga or Invest in Exercise Equipment

Recently gyms have been closed, but as cases fall, gyms are allowed to operate at a reduced capacity. Some may feel safe heading back to a gym, such as Anytime Fitness, while others prefer to stay home. If you do choose to stay home, there are still many great ways to improve your physical fitness. Focusing on exercise at home can also boost your confidence when it is time to head back to the gym. If you have been wanting to learn Yoga, Pilates, or something similar, try them out at home. Also search for available classes at a studio, such as Pressed. Some gyms offer virtual classes and there are plenty of videos available online. If you are not a gym person, consider investing in exercise equipment. With more time spent at home, it’s a great chance to focus on improving your health.

Take a Bike Ride Around Your Neighborhood

Blow off some steam and burn calories by taking a bike ride around your neighborhood each day or evening. An easy 30-45 minute bike ride each day can help you lose a few pounds before summer and is a great way to exercise without overdoing it. You can meet new neighbors, look for landscaping ideas, and just enjoy the fresh air while riding. If you would like to venture farther than your own neighborhood, would like to ride a bike to work, or have some extra time on the weekend, ride the Chain of Lakes Regional Trail. This trail is currently 11.5 miles and will be 14.5 miles long when all work is completed. It’s a lovely ride around the shorelines of five lakes and connects Blaine with the cities of Lino Lakes and Centerville. Access to the trail in Blaine can be found at East Lake Park, Jim Peterson Athletic Complex, Lakeside Commons Park, Meadowbrook Park, and Pioneer Park.

Learning and Educational Activities While at Home in Blaine, MN

With extra time at home, stimulate your brain. Learn a new instrument, craft, or language. Enroll in a class to advance your career or build a website for your business.

Learn How to Play a Musical Instrument

If you have extra time on your hands, consider learning to play a musical instrument. Maybe you have always dreamed of being able to play the violin or piano. Perhaps you are finally ready to channel your favorite rock idol and tackle a real guitar, not just the air guitar. There are many ways to learn how to play a musical instrument at home. Pick up a book and watch instructional videos. You can even hire a teacher who can help over video chat or reach out to a friend who knows how to play. Some of the easiest musical instruments to learn include the ukulele, guitar, melodica, harmonica, bongos, xylophone, tambourine, and triangle. 

Painting or Learning a New Craft

Passing the time at home by learning a new skill like oil painting, knitting, crocheting, or sewing can really stimulate the brain and be a rewarding pastime. The most easily accessible methods for learning a new craft include searching for a book, watching online tutorials, or reaching out to a friend who is already skilled in the craft. You could even turn your new talent into a side hustle to make some extra cash from home while in lockdown. 

Studying for a New Career

Since many colleges and universities are closed to in-person learning, online studies have dramatically grown in popularity. Whether you would like to get ahead in your current career or start a new one, there are many options out there. You can find online courses offered through your local college or university. Get that bachelor’s degree you have always wanted or aim for your master’s or Ph.D. There are also many options that do not follow the traditional college or university route. These flexible programs can save you time and money and still pave the way to a new high paying career. Consider signing up for an online coding boot camp from a site like Coding Dojo or Codecademy. Udemy has a huge number of courses available and don’t forget to utilize the resources available from your local library.

Become Fluent in a New Language

Do you hope to travel when the pandemic ends? Maybe you want to add fluency in another language to your resume? Now is the perfect time to learn a new language. In addition to the benefits of increased job opportunities and being able to communicate when in a foreign country, learning a new language also boosts brain power. Studying this new skill improves memory, sharpens the mind, enhances your ability to multitask, and improves performance in other academic areas. Becoming truly proficient in a language can take several years, but if you devote several hours of the day to studying, you can gain basic fluency in just a few months. 

Build a Website for Your Online Business

An online presence is more important than ever. As businesses have needed to shutter their doors, people have turned to the internet for finding and ordering goods and services. Google is the most used search engine and it’s important to make sure that your business shows up when people search for your product or service in your city. Getting your business online will generate more leads and customers. If you sell products, having an ecommerce store or using an online platform such as Amazon is essential to the longevity of your business. If interested in building your own website, look into WordPress or WooCommerce.

Inspirational and Home Improvements

Create the home you have always dreamed of while in quarantine. Redecorate, renovate, create a vegetable patch, or simply clear out clutter.

Redecorate a Room

If a major life change has occurred, like working from home or welcoming a new addition to the family, it may be essential to redecorate a room. Creating a nursery or home office can be fun and rewarding projects to make the home more functional for these life changes. Even if nothing has really changed, spending more time at home may have made you realize how much you dislike a room in your home. Shake things up and switch out the drapes or bedding. Adding new throw pillows, repainting walls, rearranging furniture, or shopping for a new rug can breathe new life into a space. In the end, you will feel satisfaction in completing the project and enjoy the new space.

Build a New Extension or Driveway

A major home renovation may not be possible for everyone right now, but if you have saved some money by not going on vacation or have tucked away your stimulus funds, now may be a great time. Adding an extension or driveway can increase your satisfaction in your home and also increase the value of the home. A nice driveway can boost the value of your property between 5 and 10 percent. Other home renovations can include tackling your attic, bathroom, basement, garage, kitchen, or pool.

Have a Good House Clear Out

When dealing with times of isolation, it can feel really good to clear out old junk. This is a terrific task to improve your home if you don’t have the money available for home renovations right now. Take a walk down memory lane by sorting through old mementos, clear clothes that you don’t wear anymore out of the closet, and get rid of clutter. It’s hard to relax in a room that is too full of stuff. Feel good by donating your items to a homeless shelter or make yourself some extra money by posting items for sale online. 

Grow Your Own Fruit or Vegetable Patch

There are many reasons to consider growing your own fruit or vegetable patch. With more information coming out about the dangers of pesticides and GMO’s, it’s nice to have control over how your food is grown. There are also concerns about more food shortages due to lockdowns and uncertainties about the climate. Even if you don’t have much space to grow vegetables, you can utilize pots or raised beds in a small yard or even on a porch or balcony. Some fruits and vegetables can even be grown indoors. Head over to Malmborg’s Garden Center and Greenhouse to purchase supplies and to ask for advice for your specific situation. It’s located at 2456 125th Ave. NE in Blaine.

Spiritual Practices and Healthy Eating

During the pandemic, breathe new life into your body by meditating, reading, and eating healthier. Focusing on positive activities can have many benefits for your health. 

Meditation or Reading

With minds racing and anxiety on the rise, finding a sense of calm is extremely important. Meditation can be very helpful, especially to those who are living alone in isolation. Spending just 5 minutes at the beginning and end of your day can help your mental state. Another way to find joy is to read or listen to audio books. Staring at a screen can get old fast. Reading or listening to books instead can help to alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety, elevate empathy, improve sleep, and boost cognitive ability. 

Healthy Eating Habits

Having a little more time on your hands means that you can pay closer attention to your diet. When life is busy, it’s easier to eat out and grab junk food, which is not good for you. As people are in lockdown and dealing with fear and anxiety, the negative impacts of a poor diet are becoming more apparent. A change to a healthier diet can help to reduce anxiety, boost self confidence, and improve overall health. Research and experiment with new diets to find the best fit for your needs and body. 

Staying in Touch with Friends and Family

Feeling isolated and disconnected from friends and family can be extremely tough. It’s likely that others are feeling the same negative impacts, so why not reach out? Getting together to chat on a platform such as Zoom is not the same as face-to-face, but it’s better than nothing. For many, this shift to virtual communication has been a chance to reconnect with friends and loved ones from across the country or even the world. Staying connected by talking is far better than scrolling through social media and maintaining healthy friendships is essential for our health.

Foster a New Furry Companion

Beat loneliness by adopting a new pet. There are many dogs and cats out there that are in need of a loving home. Just keep in mind that to adopt a pet means that you are in it for the long haul. Pets cost money to keep and can be a trusted friend for 10-15 years or more. Don’t adopt a pet just because you are bored right now. Think about your future and make sure it will be a good fit even when lockdown is lifted. Find details about rescuing a pet and search for adoptable animals at Rescued Pets are Wonderful in Blaine. This organization takes in animals from local shelters, as well as animal control facilities that are over capacity, and works to find homes for them.

About TheMLSonline in Minnesota

Our team at TheMLSonline in Minnesota understands that the pandemic has been tough for everyone. Living in a terrific city, like Blaine, can help stave off boredom. There are many opportunities for recreation as well as some fantastic properties available in Blaine, MN. If you need help buying or selling a home in Blaine, consider working with TheMLSonline in Minnesota. We get results for our clients and have helped thousands of people navigate homeownership since 2001. We have home MLS listings all over Minnesota and an extensive knowledge of the real estate industry. Give us a call at 763-324-9364 to discuss your real estate goals.