Only a few days into the COVID-19 lockdowns, and most of us are already a bit stir crazy. #TogetherApart we will get through these uncertain times and back to normal life in no time! Meanwhile, here is a list of free activities for you (and your family) to stay busy while keeping your sanity.
Education
Free digital learning hub designed to support virtual learning plans. For grades Pre-K to 9+ covering topics like ELA, STEM, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning. You can access up to 3 hours per day for 4-weeks.
Now through June 2020, Babbel will be offering 3 months of free language learning for students in the United States.
Check with your local libraries and see if they are offering free resources like audiobooks and e-books with hoopla or OverDrive.
Connectivity
Exactly like it sounds but virtual. To keep social distancing in place, Netflix has teamed up with Google Chrome to bring you and your favorite people together for movie night.
Comcast is offering its Xfinity WiFi network nationwide for free. They’ve also agreed to give free unlimited data and now offer a low- income family internet essentials package for $9.95 and two months free internet.
Most telecoms are making big moves to support their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until further notice, they have removed all data caps and upped their bandwidth. Verizon is waiving the router rental charge for each plan for the next 60 days and giving you a free year of Disney+.
Tourism
Google Arts and Culture Virtual Museum tours
Take a virtual tour of the top 10 museums in the world. After that, check out the full Google Arts and Culture collection with over 1,200 museums worldwide.
Google Arts and Culture Virtual National Park tours
Take a walk on the wild side with a virtual tour of 5 of America’s most beautiful outdoor destinations.
News
A complimentary subscription will be available on their website with coverage about the COVID-19 Pandemic. Along with the live news feed coverage, the Wall Street Journal’s team will be putting together a daily video series free of charge.
During the coronavirus outbreak, The New York Times will be providing free news to non-subscribers who would like to stay informed on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Religious and Spiritual
You don’t have to skip your Sunday service due to social distancing. Most places of worship are now offering live streams and/or uploading their recorded service to view later. If that isn’t an option, you could host a virtual bible study or service.
Music & Performance Arts
Audio Assemble PLUGGED IN Home Music Festival
A free live streaming music festival April 8th – 10th, employing artists and providing relief during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Met is bringing 14 years of riveting performances right to your home. Each day a different performance from their Live in HD series will stream for free on their website.
Performances are available for 23 hours starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the next day. The streams are also available through the Met Opera on Demand apps for Amazon, Apple, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV.
A collaborative Verizon and Yahoo weekly streaming series that will include music, gaming, comedy and more supporting small businesses that have been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was kicked off March 26, 2020, with an exclusive in-home performance from Dave Matthews. Artists and performers to be announced.
Check out this list of free live-stream and virtual concerts.
Fitness
The ever so popular bike/treadmill phenomenon is offering new users a free 90 day trial on their app. You’ll get access to their class library of yoga, meditation, strength, cycling, running and more.
Support your health and wellbeing with yoga classes at CorePower Yoga. They’ve made a free limited collection of classes available online for everyone. Namaste!
Check out this list of live-stream classes and at-home workouts.
Transit
If you’re considered an essential business worker without a vehicle, check with your local city or state on public transportation. They might be offering discounted or free fares. Ride with caution and reference CDC guidelines to protect yourself and others.
Fashion / Beauty
With all this extra downtime, it’s a perfect opportunity to organize! Get comfortable in the same yoga pants you’ve been wearing for days and start with your closet. Think: Marie Kondo and if you haven’t worn it in 6 months, donate it!
Next up, makeup. That liquid foundation you’ve had for 3 years…needs to go. Toss out old makeup and wash all of your beauty brushes. Once your organzied and brushes are clean, hop on Youtube and follow a beauty tutorial. If it turns out great snap some pics and send to friends.
Delivery Savings
Want to support restaurants in your community? Order delivery or pick-up.
Uber Eats is offering free delivery to all customers. Please make sure you are tipping the drivers for continuing to bring us our favorite eats!
Get 2 weeks of free delivery with GrubHub Plus. You can sign up for a GrubHub Plus membership or upgrade your current membership right in the app. Grubhub is also foregoing their commission from restaurants at this time to help local businesses stay profitable during this unforatunate time.
We’re All In This Together
Supporting one another and staying connected is the best cure for your cabin fever. Hop on facetime and play a virtual board game with your loved ones. Start a book club with your closest friends. Whatever it may be, social distancing is the best practice to flatten the curve and stay protected from COVID-19.
Keep yourself healthy with daily exercise, proper hygiene, and positivity. The warriors on the frontlines are going to work for us, we need to stay home for them!
