What to Do When You’re Bored: New Hobbies and Trends to Try This Winter

Photo Courtesy: Airbnb

The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing many people indoors this winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. If you’ve been looking to pick up a new hobby, there are so many fun things you can try, thanks to online services like Airbnb, TikTok, YouTube and Cameo. These platforms offer one-of-kind experiences designed to bring your family closer. You can even Zoom and connect with people from around the world you never would have met at home.

To get you through the winter, we’ve rounded up a list of exciting indoor activities, from virtually traveling to Chernobyl to transforming your home into an obstacle course.

See the World Through Airbnb Experiences

If you miss traveling, Airbnb has got you covered. You can book a trip without packing your bags or sleeping in someone else’s bed with Airbnb Experiences, virtual activities hosted by locals in awesome locations all over the world. The platform can transport you to Portugal to make sangria with drag queens, Scotland to meditate in a sheep barn or even Chernobyl to hang out with stray dogs. The insane possibilities are endless!

Photo Courtesy: Airbnb

Through virtual vacations, you can learn so much about a city from the comfort of your own couch, whether it’s the floating markets in Bangkok or Greek cuisine in Athens. The best part is you can go on these online trips by yourself — no more fighting with anyone about where to go and what to do on vacation. Plus, you’ll spend less money than you would at the actual destination. That means more cash for food delivery.

Hire a Celebrity to Make Video Messages

Sending a thoughtful note to a loved one during quarantine can help brighten their day. If the message came from their favorite celebrity, your special someone might scream with joy. On Cameo, you can ask famous people to make personalized videos for any occasion, like singing a song for your grandma’s birthday.

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Photo Courtesy: Cameo

You can directly get in touch with the celebrities to create messages for someone you love or for yourself — whatever floats your boat. Thousands of artists, athletes and other superstars are available with prices ranging from $1 to $2,500. For instance, you can book Tiger King’s Carole Baskin to sing “In Da Club” for less than $300.

Cook with a 2-Year-Old Chef

Are you tired of baking bread all the time? Is cooking at home getting boring? Let’s bring in a “professional” to help you get your cooking groove back. Cade isn’t your average chef; he’s a 2-year-old boy who loves throwing it down in the kitchen with his family. He also loves devouring anything he can get his hands on, which has made him a viral sensation.

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Photo Courtesy: Cade/YouTube

When you follow Cade’s cuisine adventures, you’ll see that he’s on YouTube and Instagram with almost 330,000 followers. Plus, his shenanigans will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. This little chef puts the fun in cooking and inspires you to get back in the kitchen and try more recipes.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, make Cade’s caramel apples. If you want a hearty meal, cook chorizo and eggs. Cade shows that it’s more exciting to eat the ingredients than the actual dish you’re making — and it’s adorable.

If You Can’t Opt Outside, Opt Inside

Many Americans went camping this summer to get out of the house and be one with nature. How do you recreate the great escape at home during this cold winter? You can easily set up a tent in the living room, but you need to add a few special touches to make the experience feel like the real deal.

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Create a view in front of your tent with outdoor artwork or a large window. You can also make the space outdoorsy with plants, a fake fire pit or an indoor star projector. Now that it looks like a campsite, it’s time to make it sound like one. Use your smartphone or TV to play sounds of a flowing river, singing crickets or even a roaring bear. Ultimately, just put on anything you need to give it a nature vibe. It’s also important to dress the part. That means you need to wear your flannel shirt, beanie and hiking boots. This may be your first time camping at home, but it won’t be the last time now.

Jump into a TikTok Dance or Challenge

Quarantine made a lot of people say, “Feeling cute, might just make a TikTok account.” The popular social media platform has millions of users worldwide, letting anyone join the fun. Plus, it’s easy to use, so you can make entertaining videos to share with family and friends in no time.

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Photo Courtesy: Tom Werner/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Some of today’s viral dances include “Say So” by Doja Cat, “Dynamite” by BTS and “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Switching into different outfits to Ariana Grande’s “Positions” has also become a popular challenge. New challenges pop up everyday, so you don’t need to follow what celebrities are making viral. You can always make up a challenge to your own favorite song and share it with friends. Who knows? It might become the most popular video on the internet.

Turn Your Home into a “Floor Is Lava” Obstacle Course

Netflix’s summer game show The Floor Is Lava features intense obstacle courses, fake lava and goofy contestants. Watching the show is fun, but playing the game in real life would be even better. Thankfully, you can recreate the magic at home.

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Photo Courtesy: Netflix/IMDb

For the game, you could tape pieces of paper to the ground for your family to get their feet off the ground. If you want a set-up closer to the show, use blankets, pillows, couches, beds and even ladders for people to jump to and climb. Putting on the sound effects of lava flowing and bubbling will make an even better experience. Most importantly, remind everyone of this: Don’t fall in!

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