At-Home Activities to Beat Boredom This Winter

The extensive outdoor activities available in Wisconsin is one of the state's best qualities. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is also known for brutally cold winters and snowstorms. The undesirable winter weather paired with the global pandemic makes staying indoors almost a necessity.

Most of us have been indoors for the better part of a year, and spending too much time inside can get pretty dull. Whether you prefer to spend time alone or to entertain your whole family, there are tons of fun and safe ways to spend your time inside.

At-Home Activities to do Alone

The threat of COVID-19 means many of us are spending time indoors alone, but that doesn't mean you can't still find something fun to pass the time.

• Get lost in a good book. Reading not only solves boredom, but it's also an excellent activity for keeping your cognitive abilities strong. Pick out a book from the New York Times Bestsellers list or reread your favorite classic. You can even sign up for a virtual book club if you want to connect with others. 
• Enjoy a movie marathon. Watching movies is fun with friends, but it's not always fun deciding on a film everyone likes. If you enjoy a movie marathon on your own, you can choose to watch whatever you like. Still not sure what to watch? Try a movie streaming service such as Netflix or Hulu and check out their most popular titles. If you're unable to stream movies, you can visit a local video store or purchase movies to build your collection.
• Learn a new skill. The internet is a wealth of knowledge with many free resources to help you learn a new skill. You can browse how-to videos on YouTube or signup for an online course taught by instructors at institutions like Harvard and Berkley.

At-Home Activities to do with Friends and Family

It may still be challenging to connect with loved ones at this time, but if you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to be with your family and friends in person, consider these indoor activities.

• Prepare a family dinner. Cooking meals may not sound exciting, but preparing dinner with your family is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. Choose a beloved family recipe or browse the internet to find a mock recipe for your favorite restaurant dish. If you have family members who cannot help cook, you can designate them as your official taste testers and get them involved with trying parts of the meal as you go. Once you cook everything, gather everyone at a dining table or circle up on the living room floor and enjoy a family meal together.
• Host a game night. If you're friends and family are a competitive bunch, considering hosting a game night. You can choose from a variety of board games, puzzles, or trivia games. If you have a bigger family, you can break up into smaller groups and have various game stations in every room. Unable to contact your family in-person? Try hosting a virtual game night. You can solve a virtual murder mystery or enjoy a virtual scavenger hunt.  
• Put together a family talent show. Do you have a lot of talented family members or extroverted individuals who love to perform? If so, consider hosting a family talent show where your loved ones can show off their skills. Choose a family member's home to gather, put out refreshments and enjoy an afternoon or night with your loved ones. Encourage family members to step outside of their comfort zone and have fun. You may even learn something new about some of your relatives or discover a hidden talent of your own. 

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you or a loved one needs helping to find an activity to beat your boredom this winter, the team at Visiting Angels Oshkosh is happy to help. Our caregivers make great companions for board games and puzzles, plus they're more than willing to help you navigate a virtual game night or grocery shop for a family dinner. The Visiting Angels Oshkosh office currently serves those in Winnebago county. If you'd like to learn more about our services, give us a call at 920.312.7000 for a free consultation.