With the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all pretty much been locked down to our homes. That leaves people bored when they are forced into their house with nothing to do. How do people have fun when they are bored at their kitchen tables? 

With all this extra time on your hands, you, like most people, are probably wondering what to do. The Sun Journal Staff compiled some ideas of things to do while you’re socially distancing yourself. Wherever you may roam — your bedroom, your couch, your kitchen, or even your backyard — at least one of these suggestions will keep you sane! 

Learn a New Hobby 

You could develop a new hobby. This idea is pretty open ended and completely up to you! Whether you decide to learn a skill you’ve always wanted to learn, or just thought it seems cool. Here are some cool hobbies that you could learn:

• Art – It’s super easy to find some cool tutorials on Youtube, or just come up with some creative ideas on your own, either way you can make some cool stuff!
• Exercise – With all the gyms closed, the people who used them a lot are having to come up with other ways to get their workout in. Also, some people who never prioritized working out can use all their freetime to start, if they chose. From simple, no equipment home workouts, to using random objects around the house as weights, anyone can do it. Laz is hosting a workout every day at 2:30 — you can join in by emailing him at [email protected] .

  

   

• A (kinda random) new skill – Is there something that, for whatever reason, you have always wanted to learn how to do? Well now’s your chance! There are so many random hobbies out there for you to pick up, you could learn some new dance moves, whether they’re Tiktok dances or more of a throwback (like the worm). You could learn to unicycle or bounce on a pogostick or juggle. You could practice that trick that you haven’t quite been able to perfect. For whatever you find, practice makes perfect!

Any of these are great options, but there are so many more out there for you to discover! Or you could look at the rest of this article and get some more awesome ideas!

— Maddie Crandall

Read a New Book

While we have so much freetime might as well catch up on some great books. Reading is a great way to cure your boredom and to keep your mind active for when (or if) we go back to school. So here are some of the best and most popular Young Adult books:

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

This is one of the most well written and interesting books out there. It’s about a 16-year old girl named Hazel who has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. While reluctantly attending a cancer support group she meets fellow cancer survivor Augustus Waters. Hazel and Augustus embark on many adventures while Hazel learns to live life to the fullest. 

This book is full of a wide range of emotions and will make you laugh and will also make you cry. John Green has several other great books, too — check out Paper Towns or Turtles All the Way Down.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This book takes place in the future after humans have destroyed themselves with nuclear war. The only people left are living inside a fenced in new society in modern day Chicago. To keep order and prevent another war the government has split their people into five factions based on aptitude: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the kind and peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intelligent). At age 16 kids are allowed to choose which faction they want to live in.

The main character Tris, who grew up in Abnegation, makes the startling decision to join Dauntless. She’s only the second person in history to make this switch. This story follows her journey to fit in with her new community and to survive in the cutthroat initiation into Dauntless. 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

In my opinion this is the best young adult dystopian series. Hundreds of years into the future the world has become desolate and a new government, called the Reestablishment, has taken over. They’ve split the World into 3,300 new sectors. 

The main character Juliet has the power to kill anyone who comes into contact with her bare skin. Because of this she has been forced into an insane asylum this is until the government finds a malicious plan to use her. The young, new leader of sector 45 has decided to use her as a torture method for the government. This book has amazing metaphors and has good themes of finding who you are and what you stand for.

 You can also access books on your phone using the library’s Overdrive system. Check out this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNyWmOCpDKc) to see how! 

And remember, the librarians are still around to help you get that book you just have to have. Email [email protected] with any book- or research-related questions and Mrs. Dupre, Ms. Lawrence, Mrs. Kamrud or Mrs. Beaulieu  will get right on it.

— Ava McPhillips

Download a Learning App to Improve your Skills

Do you have trouble spelling? Well lucky you, because you now have the time in the world to finally figure out how to spell, read faster, or calculate percentages. Maybe even learn how to use big words to make yourself sound more photosynthesis. 

Jokes. But seriously, you have time to improve your spelling so you don’t need to rely on autocorrect to help you spell.  

Download Elevate to hone some of those basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills so you’re even smarter when you get back…it will give you training options with three free lessons a day. Impress your teachers with this new skill you picked up. 

So take some time to learn this new skill. It might be fun but will definitely be beneficial.

Download the app for free at https://www.elevateapp.com/ or in the app store (the free version will allow you to play three games a day; The Sun Journal is currently in talks to see if they might be able to provide the app free to our readers, but it hasn’t happened yet).

— Aubree Rush

Perfect Your Moonwalk

Do you want to be able to do something cool that you could show off to your friends? Try moonwalking! Use this Youtube tutorial to get started and you’ll be impressing your friends in no time! Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iLdEseueh4&disable_polymer=true 

— Maddie Crandall

Take a Virtual Tour

Museums, theme parks, zoos, and aquariums have set virtual tours for those who want to continue to learn about the various cultures and animals around the world. 

• The National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City has lots of tours that you can do. It has 360 degree angle videos which contain a single vocal point and a voice telling the history of the room or art piece. Check out https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-national-museum-of-anthropology-mexico-city-ziko-van-dijk-wikimedia-commons/bAGSHRdlzSRcdQ?hl=en .

•  San Diego Zoo has tons for people to do such as live feeds of animals, games, and learning. The animals that are featured in the live feeds are panda’s, tiger’s, koalas, polar bears, elephants, and more. Head to https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos .

• Monterey Bay Aquarium has live feeds and learning opportunities for people. Their live feeds have sharks, jellyfish, penguins, sea otters, and lots more to explore. Go to https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams .

Having fun and learning while staying safe is very important. Virtual tours are a way for us to do just that. Virtual tours can be a great way to get your brain working and have fun in the process. 

Other virtual tours can be found at: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/travel/a31784720/best-virtual-tours/

— Bailee Shipp

Bake, Eat, Clean, Repeat

If you are like, “ugh well I don’t even know how to bake” —  here are some fun and simple recipes that are delicious and easy to follow (unless you can’t read cause you might struggle a little then).

Can’t find flour at the store? Oat flour is a substitute for flour, and you can get it at the store or make your own by grinding oats (like, your breakfast oatmeal) into a fine powder using a blender. It is similar to wheat flour and it’s also gluten free and delicious.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies

For our first recipe we’ll be making chocolate chip cookies. Remember to chill those bad boys for at least an hour before popping them in the oven for best results. 

 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks or 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 and 1/4 cup (225g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Single Serving Microwave Cookie

If you are unable to use an oven for any reason, maybe you accidently set it on fire and aren’t trusted with one or maybe you are just lazy and don’t want to make cookies in the oven. Hopefully it’s the second one. Either way, here is a chocolate chip cookie recipe in a cup. 

You will first need a microwave cup.

4 tablespoons of flour ( or flour substitute) 

1 tablespoon white sugar

2 tablespoon packed brown sugar

2 tablespoon melted butter 

1 egg yolk (don’t use the egg white – this video shows how to separate them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaGrp2EnsKs)

As much vanilla as you see fit (just a little guesstimate with that) and as many chocolate chips as your heart desires 

Combine and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Try one minute first so you don’t overdo it.

Flan

This recipe that is more on the exotic side if you are feeling a little bold and courageous is flan. It’s both simple and delicious. It is a dessert that is very popular in Mexico and is definitely worth learning to make or trying at least once.  

1 can sweetened condensed milk 

1 can evaporated milk 

3 eggs

2 egg yolks 

3 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Lime zest optional

Caramel top: 

1 cup of sugar cooked over a burner and it will form a liquid which will be used as the caramel top. It looks like it won’t come together, but keep it heated on medium heat and constantly stir. It will take some time so be patient. Once it has come together put in it a pie pan or a cupcake tin and make sure to coat it up the sides. 

Oven at 325

Bake 12-15 minutes 

Let set in fridge for 2 hours

— Aubree Rush