19 ideas for hobbies to keep you busy during the COVID-19 quarantine

A lot of us are in a situation where we are either in mandatory quarantine or voluntary quarantine due to the global outbreak of coronavirus, or COVID-19. The virus has changed us in so many ways, including our mindset and the way we go about our days. We’re now more home-bound and if you’re not used to it, you could get bored quick! No one knows how long this will all last, but one thing’s for sure: we need something to do other than staring at our phones for days on end. In comes: finding a hobby.

Dun, dun, dunnnnn. SO many people are walking the Earth without a hobby or worse–without even knowing what interests them enough to even think about having a hobby. Fear not, I’ve got a laundry list of things to do during the “Corona Quarantine” that you can try out. And maybe when this is all over, you’ll have a hobby on your hands that you can do for years to come. If you’re a hobby enthusiast, maybe you can try something new if your hobby usually takes you away from your home (which is not an option right now in many of our cases).

19 cool things to do during the “Coronavirus Quarantine” in 3…2…1:

Thing to do #1: Catch up on all the movies you said you were going to watch

Yes, being a movie aficionado is a hobby AND because you would have never done it otherwise. Don’t go back to work without movie references! A great place to start is obviously Netflix, but also Hulu and the now beloved Disney+. Also, don’t dismiss those dusty VHS’s in your basement.

Thing to do #2: Cook your favorite restaurant meals with copycat recipes

If you’re social distancing, chances are you aren’t exactly going to be able to visit your favorite restaurants for those good eats. But who said you couldn’t try? Making copycat recipes not only allows you to save money, but you can still eat good while doing it. Give these recipes a go!

Thing to do #3: Make some candles

Smell-goods are one of my favorite things. Did you know it’s super easy to make candles? I didn’t, until I considered making them for my wedding (fun fact: I opted out of making 200 candles because, work). All you need is wax, wicks, a heat resistant container, and some essential oils. Check those out on Amazon if you can! Here’s the YouTube video I watched over and over again before realizing I’m no DIYer :).

Thing to do #4: Start an indoor garden

What better time to start an indoor garden than a quarantine?! With barren grocery stores comes the opportunity to nurture and grow your own food. You can grow things such as herbs and micro-greens in an indoor garden with ease. If you have a backyard, feel free to garden outside!

Thing to do #5: Read about things other than school/work

You know how we all say we want to read more bUt We NeVeR hAvE tImE? Well, now we have time, friend! Let’s reach our goals of wanting to read more by actually reading more. Make sure you’re reading things that are actually interesting and aren’t obligatory work/school-related things. My favorite reads are dystopian novels–they’re great because they really prepare you for times just like these. What about you, what’s your fave?

Thing to do #6: Master your bodyweight

Of course, there was going to be a fitness-related activity in this list. Since most gyms are closed and a lot of us don’t have home gyms, it’s time to master your bodyweight and practice yoga or calisthenics. There are way too many people out there that can lift a 300-pound loaded barbell but cannot do a proper un-assisted pull-up or push-up. Don’t be that person. For calisthenics, start here. For yoga, here.

Thing to do #7: Write your memoir or movie script about your life

And before you say “Melina, I’m so boring” remember that there are people on Tik Tok going viral right now from making imitation videos and totally un-original content. You have so much to teach the world from your learned experiences. And, you’re surviving the COVID-19 apocalypse. Plus, no one has to see it. You got this!

Thing to do #8: Bake something tasty

Get creative in the kitchen with the extra time you would have spent commuting or scrolling on your social media watching videos of other people baking. There are so many recipes, including those with limited ingredients. Get your Betty Crocker on!

Thing to do #9: Tap into your interior design talent

I don’t know about you, but I could easily spend all day binge watching anything on HGTV. During the COVID-19 quarantine, you could re-arrange your own furniture to be more cool and functional or you could design the space of your dreams using one of these interior design apps. Take what you’ve learned on HGTV and put it to good use!

Thing to do #10: Learn to code and create an app/website

Now more than ever, we need people who know how to code for the ever-changing technological landscape. This is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Knowing how to code is applicable in countless industries and you can make beaucoup bucks doing it. Worried that you should have gone to school for computer science and engineering? Fear not, you can learn to code fairly quickly and for cheaper than $120,000+int. in student loan debt.

Thing to do #11: Learn to knit or crochet

This isn’t just reserved for grandma and your great aunt. Knitting and crocheting are therapeutic for the mind and are the perfect indoor activity. You can make your own clothes and accessories and who knows, you might even want to open up an Etsy shop once you get really good. Hello side hustle!

Thing to do #12: Become a fine artist

You didn’t need to major in fine arts to become the next Picasso. Getting some simple art supplies and taking online art classes (or even searching for tutorials on YouTube) is a great way to spend this time. I know from experience that paining is super relaxing and therapeutic!

Thing to do #13: Make your own soaps and hand sanitizers

So, I went to the store the other day to look for dish soap and there was none. THERE WAS NO DISH SOAP. And obviously, there was no hand soap or hand sanitizer thanks to people fear-buying for coronavirus. But, the good news here is that if you have the ingredients, you can make your own! With just aloe vera and isopropyl alcohol, you can make hand sanitizer. And with some castile soap, water, and essential oils you can make hand soap.

Thing to do #14: Play board games and puzzles

If you have your family, friends, or partner around, it’s time to bring back the board games and puzzles–and I mean the physical ones. My personal favorites from childhood are: The Game of Life, Monopoly, Trouble, Scrabble and Twister. These old school gems are sure to bring life to your household. Heck, you might have some collecting dust in your attic right now–go check!

Thing to do #15: Call your loved ones

Now’s the time to call your grandma, mom/dad, sister, or whoever you have not spoken to or seen lately. Calling loved ones that you aren’t fortunate to see on a regular basis can help mitigate loneliness or feelings of anxiety during this tough and uncertain time. Talk it out and you could feels much better.

Thing to do #16: Have a daily dance party

Need to move your body but calisthenics seems unpalatable? Why not have a dance party every day. The best part about dance parties is that you could be the sole attendee and it’s still a blast! Cardio and fun? Sign me up. Put on your favorite tunes and get moving.

Thing to do #17: Do your own nails (and eyebrows if you’re brave)

Nail salons and other beautifying establishments are closed down at this point. Instead of turning into a gremlin of sorts over the next few weeks, how about trying to do your own nails and eyebrows? I’ll admit, I HATE doing my nails, which is why I never get them done. But, doing them yourself as opposed to paying someone can save you a lot of money long after coronavirus has left. Eyebrows are a little more tricky, but if you’re brave, have at it. Just don’t come for me if you end up with no brows!

Thing to do #18: Create new outfit combos from the clothes in your closet

I don’t know about you, but I get mighty tired of wearing the same outfits week after week. I tell myself I’ll switch it up: I’ll wear that top with THOSE pants instead. But then the morning comes, it looks horrible, and I go back to my trustee dusty pants because there’s no time to find anything different. Does that sound like you? What about trying out all new combos now so you know they’ll work for you when you’re able to go out into the world again. There are probably so many cute outfits you can put together that you didn’t know you had!

Thing to do #19: Become a master photographer

One of the best things about having a smartphone is that it comes equipped with a high-quality camera (or three, if you’ve got the latest iPhone). Why not use that to your advantage and refine your photography skills. It’s also super easy (and free) to edit photos like a pro right from your smartphone. If you have an actual camera, even better. Get creative and take photos of things/people around your house and in your backyard.

There you have it. There are so many fun ways to keep busy while you #StayHome. But what did I miss here? What fun things have you been doing that are not listed here? Let me know in the comments!

Stay healthy and safe <3
Melina Renee