Fun Things To Do In Quarantine

COVID-19 has ruined a lot of plans, and most places still have some restrictions about what you can and can’t do. But there are things you can still do for fun in the midst of a pandemic! And most of the items on the list get you out of your house, which is a bonus to any of you who feel like you’ve been cooped up there this year.

My mom, my sister, and me at the Fish Farms sunflower fields in Andover, MN.

My cousins, husband, and me at the St Michael Cinema drive-in theater.

Visit a flower field. It’s more of a seasonal activity, but check to see if there are similar things in your area. My mom and sister and I went to two in Andover, MN on Labor Day, and we had so much fun walking around and taking seasonal pictures, appreciating the work others have done to create such lovely places for people to go and enjoy for free.
Visit an apple orchard. We’re planning on going to one this year; we just have to decide which one to try or revisit. They often have other activities, but check to see what’s available this year. Our favorites typically have hay rides, cider, and the ability to let you pick your own apples.
Visit a pumpkin patch. (Are you seeing a theme here?) Some places have apples and pumpkins, so you could get a two-for-one deal! If not, pumpkins and gourds make for fun seasonal decor that you can paint, carve, or use in tons of fun fall-inspired recipes!
Bake something fall-ish. Or not fall-ish. That’s up to you. I’m just a big fan of fall spices and flavors. I’m thinking apple granola, apple scones, pumpkin bread, apple cider…
Go for a hike on some outdoor trails. Take your pick of a familiar trail or seek out a new one. My husband and I are planning on doing that this weekend, and I’ll admit I had to ask friends how to find the trail because it’s been too long since I’ve done it, so it’s kind of old but new to me and completely new to him!
Have a picnic in your yard or at a local park. I’ve always loved picnics. There’s just something fun about getting outside, getting away from screens, breathing the fresh air, and really enjoying your food. And bonus: if you’re enjoying a picnic in your own yard, you don’t have to transport the food very far and can consider a wider variety of options!
Go for a walk with a friend. I want to do this more often. I have gotten out of the habit of walking regularly, but my dog loves it, so I really want to make it more of a routine. And why not bring a friend along for the fun?
Have a movie night with a couple friends. Even better, pick a series or a show with lots of seasons to encourage regular movie nights! My best friend and I started watching the Harry Potter movies this year, and we took a big break when the pandemic hit, but we’re starting up again, and we’re both so excited!
Go out for dinner (or lunch or brunch) with friends you haven’t seen because COVID. My husband and I just got brunch with some friends this weekend, and I realized it had been ages since I’d seen them. It’s easy to live in our own little isolated bubbles, and that might be necessary for some, but if you take the proper precautions, you might be able to swing an outing with some people you haven’t seen for a while.
Walk around a store, mall, or outdoor shopping center. I recently went to an outdoor outlet mall with my cousin and her young daughter. I didn’t buy anything, and they didn’t get much, but it was fun to stroll around, look at things in person (a novel idea in my online shopping world), and just chat as we went.
Try something new. Whether you want to learn a new way to do your hair, how to paint your nails like a pro, how to crochet or knit, how to build a birdhouse or a deck, how to wash your car yourself, how to keep plants alive, or how to cook a new recipe, give it a shot! I’m a big believer in learning new things on the regular, and you can find just about anything on Google or YouTube.
Go to a drive-in. I had never been to one because I didn’t know of any around me, but our local movie theater painted an exterior wall white to project movies onto it, and I went a few weeks ago with my husband and some friends, and it was a blast!