You might be spending more time at home in the near future if the coronavirus hits us hard. In order to prepare for that possibility, you might want to figure out some stuff you can do at home that will be fun and engaging. Here’s a list of 10 things you can do without ever leaving your house:

10. Play board games

Board games are an old staple of at-home fun. Monopoly, Clue, Sorry, Summoning, and Scrabble are some of my personal favorites. They can provide hours of fun—assuming someone doesn’t throw a temper tantrum, flip the board over, and storm out before you can finish.

9. Watch a movie or TV show

This is already something many of you do when you go home after school or work. Turn on your TV or smart device, pick something that looks interesting from the seemingly-endless streaming services, and veg out for a few hours. Just keep an eye on the time, or you might end up burning through your entire day.

8. Read a book

This is an oldie but a goodie. Books are a great way to kill time. You can get really absorbed into another world of adventure and intrigue, learn about a real person from their biography, or brush up on your skills with a how-to book. While ebooks make it easy to have an entire library at your fingertips, nothing beats the feel of a real book in your hand and the smell of the pages as you turn them.

7. Pick up a hobby

Learning and practicing a hobby not only makes the time go by, but you end up with a valuable skill to boot! Try sewing, crocheting, woodworking, a musical instrument, painting, drawing, sculpting, cooking, baking, or anything else that tickles your fancy. Just be mindful of what materials and supplies you might need, as they can sometimes be expensive or hard to get.

6. Use your binoculars

Remember that pair of binoculars you once bought with the intention of going birdwatching? You probably never did, but that doesn’t mean they have to go to waste. Grab your binoculars and peer out the window. There are some amazing things you can see in your own backyard! You might catch a glimpse of some birds, squirrels, chipmunks, ground hogs, or at night some skunks, foxes, or even a bear. If you want, you can aim your binoculars at a nearby window and see what’s going on in your neighbor’s house. To get new ideas for what to do at home, of course.

5. Talk to your loved ones

How often do you get to just sit down and talk with your friends or family members anymore? With nothing better to do, why not have a chat? If you’re stuck inside with them, you can sit down and talk face-to-face. Maybe pour yourself some wine to pair with the conversation. Reds go great when having an amorous tête-à-tête, while whites are better for fun reminiscences. If you’re having a serious discussion, I suggest a well-aged whiskey. You can have a drink in hand even if you decide to call someone and talk over the phone. They never even have to know!

4. Do a DIY projects

When you’re unable to do the things you’d rather be doing instead of being stuck at home, why not take the opportunity to finally get around to those DIY projects you keep saying you’ll do? Repaint the living room, fix the grout in the shower, organize the basement, or clean the gutters. Whatever has been sitting at the top of your to-do list can finally get checked off.

3. Experiment with mind-altering substances

This one might sound a little strange, but think about it: you’re stuck at home, you’re bored, and there’s no one around who can say, “Hey! You can’t do that! It’s illegal!” Now, don’t misunderstand me—I’m not suggesting you drive down to the corner in the seediest part of Carson Hills and hand a crisp $100 bill to a guy in exchange for a baggie of drugs. You can find perfectly natural mind-altering substances right here in our own Blackwood Forest. While you might need to consult a guide so you don’t accidentally pick a white button, portobello, shiitake, or King Oyster, it’s not hard to find something that’ll take you on a magical journey through your own mind.

2. Film a social media video

There are people these days who make an entire career—and millions of dollars—out of posting videos to social media. Why not give it a whirl and see if you’ve got what it takes to join their ranks? Pick a genre like how-to, vlog, video essay, pranks, or let’s plays, then set up your camera and start filming. It’s a good idea to get yourself a ring light to make your face look its best, and maybe a backdrop to avoid having your messy room seen behind you. Once you’re done, post it to your preferred social media site and see the views roll in!

1. Play with your kids and/or pets

Nothing brings more joy into our lives than our children and our pets. With how busy everyone is these days, it’s not always easy to spend quality time with them. Being stuck at home is the perfect excuse to forget about everything else and play with them. Kids have wonderful imaginations. They don’t even need toys or props to come up with something enjoyable to do. Just go along with whatever they come up with. If you only have a pet (or prefer your pet to your kids), roll a ball with them, have a tug-of-war, or take them out into the yard and play fetch. You’ll never regret spending more time with your kids or pets!

-Martin Fitzgerald, Activities, Emerson Valley Gazette