60 Activities to Try (at Home)

In Melbourne we are remaining in restrictions a little longer than we planned, and although the end is (hopefully) in sight, keeping ourselves occupied during this time can be a challenge.

Our Activities at Home Facebook series in June gave you a glimpse into the types of fun activities you can try on your own, with your family, or with your Support Worker. We loved them so much here at IDS that we developed even more ideas to share with you.

Below are 60 (yes, you read that correctly!) activities you can try to keep you occupied during your time at home.

At the end of this post you can download a PDF copy of our ideas. Print it out, stick it on your fridge, and cross items off as you go!

Plan the weekly menu and shopping list
Clean out and organise your pantry
Learn to play chess
Role play – if someone is looking to find work, practise interview skills
Prepare/review a resume if you are looking for work
Sell unwanted stuff on Gumtree – Take photos and create an ad
Create a Bucket List of things you want to do after Coronavirus
Plan a holiday – Research what to do at the location, where to stay, cuisine, etc.
Write a story
Play charades
Make a collage of old magazines
Download Snap Movie and create mini movies
Stretching exercises or learn yoga
Download the Australian Bird Sounds App and listen to different birds
Learn basic first aid
Paint your fingernails or toenails
Make some flower arrangements
Create something using papier-mâché
Write a love letter
Send a message in a bottle – Throw it out to sea when you can go back to the beach!
Create a time capsule to be opened in 1 year, 5 years or 10 years
Learn to dance salsa
Workout
Watch movies/documentaries
Play boardgames and cards
Learn to sew
Have a Spa Day – Facemasks, relaxing music, candles, the works!
Do a puzzle
Bake your favourite treat
Play video games
Cook a meal
Watch live streams of animals at Melbourne Zoo
Learn to do new things from YouTube
Do a deep clean of your home
Catch up on phone calls to family/friends
Listen to music
Create playlists for different activities and moods
Make a scrapbook
Paint or decorate plant pots
Get takeaway coffee/meal
FaceTime with your friends/family
Check out how to use social media or online apps
Develop a daily routine and make visuals
Declutter and get rid of unwanted items
Learn a magic trick
Learn about Botany – Collect items from the garden to build an album of dried flowers
Learn to make a podcast
Learn to play an instrument (like ukulele, or the recorder)
If in the car, drive with the windows down, play the music loud and sing!
Collect some free or cheap basic gym equipment, set it up outside, and have a workout
Wash the car
Do some gardening – Grow some food, or plant herbs and pretty flowers
Learn a new language (maybe Auslan – sign language)
Sort out a home budget
Do some online, virtual tours of some of the world’s greatest museums and art galleries
Learn to do some outdoor household chores, like sweeping leaves
Teach your pet a few new tricks – Checkout YouTube videos for this
Join a virtual choir – Checkout TimeOut Magazine’s post for a list of virtual choir groups
Check in with your mental health – Create a Mental Health Plan, or try meditation
Rainbow-tise your bookshelf! Sort your books by colour

If you try any of these activities, be sure to send us some photos! Email us at communications@idsa.org.au to show off your creations or share more ideas for fun activities at home.

Download 60 Activities at Home