BY CAMI KOONS
The Douglas County “stay at home” order went into effect on Tuesday. For some, the time away from school, work and the daily hustle is a much needed break. Others find themselves with too much time on their hands.
Here are 12 things to try for anyone tired of the insides of their homes, or struggling to keep children entertained.
Stay connected:
Check out the Eudora Boredom Busters Facebook page.
The page is open to join and is constantly updated with community activities like “bear hunts” or chalk exercises. The Facebook page allows community members to stay connected with each other while practicing social distancing. Michelle Topil started the board to organize the St. Patrick’s day shamrock hunt, and said it has blown her mind how big the group has grown.
“I had a pretty good following of people in town, and knew some people would be attracted to it, but it has just blown up,” Topil said.
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Have a virtual hang-out with friends or relatives.
Schedule a chat with all the cousins or family friends. Facebook messenger, Skype, Zoom and Google Hangouts are easy-to-use platforms for group meetings. Facebook Messenger Kids is also a safe chat place for children to stay connected. You can also play online games together while you chat. It’s like game night … only safer.
Add the Netflix party extension to Google Chrome and watch a movie “together.”
Keep moving:
Pick up a new skill like Martial Arts or dance.
Forge Martial Arts in Eudora is offering four free weeks of introductory, virtual martial arts classes. Join on Forge’s Facebook event page. The program starts Monday.
Sunflower State Dance has online classes and some free lessons on its Facebook page. Rachel Weitekamp of Sunflower State Dance said the online classes keep kids in their routine and also gives them a great way to work out some energy.
“We think it’s important to stay active from not only your body’s health but your mental health,” Weitekamp said.
Have an in-house dance party in between homeschooling lessons.
There are dozens of kid-friendly Just Dance videos on YouTube. Or, turn on a family favorite tune. This is a fun way to get up and re-energize after sedimentary periods.
Find an online workout and add it to your daily schedule.
Many fitness bloggers, instructors and gyms are offering free workouts through their social media or YouTube channels. Search for body-weight workouts if you don’t have equipment.
Stay Sharp:
Stream a movie, check out a book or magazine with the Eudora Community Library.
While the library is closed at the moment, it offers numerous online resources available through its website. The library also has free Wi-Fi on the lawn and in the parking lot if connecting is a problem. Don’t have a library card? Don’t worry! Assistant director Alisha Whitis will hook you up.
In addition to its online content, library director Carol Wohlford said the library will start hosting online events like puppet shows and sing-a-longs in April.
Write a short story or make a short film as a family.
Most smart phones come with free editing software, making it oh-too easy to piece together a two to five minute short film. If you don’t feel like getting into costume, try writing a story. Have each person write one or two sentences before passing the notebook.
Here are a couple of simple starters to build a story off of:
Creeeaaak. “Did you hear that?”
“Nothing has been the same since they outlawed ice cream.”
“Oh no. We forgot about the eggs.”
Stay Creative:
Make a fort out of pillows, sheets, blankets and whatever you have.
If the house is starting to feel small and monotonous, raid the linen closet and create a new space. Give it a name or a purpose. Some sheets over a chair can quickly become a fortune teller’s booth or a secret garden for a princess.
Play paper-airplane golf.
For sport fans getting stir crazy without a game to turn on, use a paper airplane (or other non-destructive object) and see who can make it into the kitchen sink, skim a laundry basket or land it on the dining-room table. The target possibilities are endless.
Decorate the sidewalks and enter #ChalkItUpEudora.
The Eudora Parks and Recreation Department launched a chalk contest that runs through Sunday. The contest has four categories: spring, summer, Eudora pride and positivity. Snap a picture with your drawing and enter for a chance to win a prize.
Enter the Eudora Area Historical Society’s story sharing contest.
Something as simple as what Main Street looked like while you were growing up and how you spent your Saturdays can make for an interesting story, while telling the history of Eudora. The contest ends May 15 when the Historical Society will select three prize-winning stories. Check out the Eudora Area Historical Society Facebook page for more information.
Send your movies, stories and pictures to eudoratimes@gmail.com — we’d love to see what you come up with.
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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