Staying in is the New Going Out!
During this difficult time of uncertainty, we would like to share with you a selection of fun virtual activities that you can take part in from your own home, making social distancing a little bit easier for everyone.
Fitness
Since the government announced that everyone must stay at home and only leave the house if it’s absolutely essential, there has been a wide choice of online exercise classes made available through online platforms to keep everyone active at home.
Move it or Lose it, a company that delivers exercise classes to thousands of older people every week, are holding daily live chair based workouts on their Facebook page that are free for everyone to join in on. Click here to visit their Facebook page.
Joe Wicks, who has been keeping the nation and world active with his live PE lessons, has also filmed a short video of exercise for the elderly which is available on YouTube which you can find here.
The NHS website also have a selection of images demonstrating a number of chair based exercises that are easy to do in the comfort of your own home. Click here to visit their website.
Education
Zoo and Aquarium Tours
If you miss being able to go on a day out to the zoo then bring the zoo to you! Chester Zoo and the Sea Life Centre are just two attractions that are inviting people to join them on a tour of their animals.
Chester Zoo have already carried out a live stream on Facebook but you can watch it all back on their YouTube channel here. Keep your eyes peeled for more live streaming on their Facebook page in the future!
Knowsley Safari Park have put together a ‘Home School Safari’, sharing facts and videos on the animals that live in the park. To visit their website, click here.
The Sea Life Centre and the Blue Planet Aquarium are both getting involved with live streaming daily, featuring feeding of their sea life.
Click here to visit the Blue Planet Aquarium’s Facebook page.
Click here to visit the Sea Life Centre’s Facebook page.
Wildlife in your own garden
There is also plenty of wildlife to see on your very own doorstep, and Wildlife Watch provides you with a long list of activities to keep you busy whether you have a garden or not: Find out more by clicking here.
Museum Tours
Take a virtual tour of the world’s most famous museums and art galleries. From the Vatican Museum in Rome to the Natural History Museum in London, The Guardian have put together a list of 10 places you can visit in your home for free today. View their list here.
Entertainment
With so much available online to keep you busy, it’s easy to miss some of the content that’s been made available to you during this period of social distancing.
Had plans to visit the theatre in the near future? Well the National Theatre have you covered and will be streaming a free play every Thursday! Visit their website here.
Jamie Oliver is uploading daily ‘Keep Cooking and Carry On’ clips to YouTube, providing informative and fun videos on making easy, family meals using ingredients that you can find in your own kitchen. Click here to watch his videos on YouTube.
If you enjoy a pub quiz then why not try Spectacular Pub Quizzes. They host regular pub quizzes online that are free to enter. Click here to find out more.
Here are a few other links to help keep you entertained whilst staying at home, with something for everyone:
- Cirque du Soleil – 60 Minute special on YouTube
- The Wind in the Willows, The Musical – Stream online for free with a small donation welcomed.
- Hot Water Comedy Club – Pay What you Want Online Event.
- Virtual Disney Rides – Disney attractions across the world may be closed at the moment but you can still have a go on some virtual Disney rides from the comfort of your own sofa.
- Live Ghost Stories by Simon Entwistle – Ribble Valley Award Winning Ghost Walk Tour Guide is streaming spooky tales to the nation on Facebook Live.
- Military charity, The Not Forgotten, has launched a free entertainment show for care homes and the vulnerable across the UK on YouTube.
- Story time with David Walliams – The children’s book author is releasing one audio story a day, over 30 days.
We will be providing updates on this list in the future, so look out for more ideas on how to keep busy whilst staying at home over the coming weeks.
