Don’t get bored at home! π Now that we’re staying in our homes way longer than usual during this extraordinary time, you’re probably looking for home activities. As always, there’s a ton you can do online!
In this age of world connectivity, the answers you need are just floating on the Internet! If you don’t know where to start, I got you covered. Here are five productive home activities you can try out online. And yes, these are FREE. No cash needed! π°
1. Blend and create desserts
Probably the most-watched videos online are about food. From home-cooked meals to quick dorm hacks, there’s a lot to cover! Both amateurs and professionals are sharing their recipes online for free.
You can start with something simple like blending your own smoothie! Instead of just letting your fruits get old, why not blend them and make a refreshing drink. It’s easy! Just add in your favorite fruits together, add ice, and press the button. You may also use frozen fruits! π
How about some dessert? Test your skills by creating your very own cheesecake! No baking needed, just your good old blender to help you achieve a smooth texture. Check out this quick and easy tutorial from Oster:
Truth be told, there’s a lot to do in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to try your appliances and whip up something exciting! Plus, you get to take control of what you eat. π°
2. Study while at home
One of the most productive activities you can do at home for yourself is to enroll in online courses. Online universities are widely available and a lot of them are free for all! No tuition fees and no allowances to worry about. If having a degree online is too much, you could also try out free curriculums and classes that pique your interest.
One of the well-established online learning platforms is Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/). Created in 2008, Khan Academy has been helping learners and educators around the globe with their short lessons in the form of videos. There are also articles and practice questions to measure how you’re doing. Again, it’s free and accessible online or through its mobile app.
Speaking of apps, did you know there’s a “university” already within your iPhone, specifically iTunes? Check out iTunes U on the App Store and you’ll be surprised! iTunes U is primarily made of instructors to bring their classroom online, but it also lets anyone with an iPhone or even an iPad to access a large collection of free educational content. You’ll be learning a lot from leading schools, universities, museums, and cultural institutions.
So, instead of using Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter all day, try opening Khan Academy or iTunes U to make better use of your time. π€
3. School at home for the kids
Learning never stops in school because there’s more to learn at home! And no, it’s not boring to have classes at home when you have the right resources.
Adding sound and visual effects can make learning fun and memorable for the kids, hence the inclusion of Sheppard Software (http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/) on the list! Cover multiple topics including math, language, and science to support what your kids are already learning in school. π
Everyone is familiar with the National Geographic (or NatGeo for short) channel where we get to understand the animals around us. The actual wildlife might be too much for the kids, good thing there’s NatGeo specifically for kids! The aptly called National Geographic Kids (https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/) has a number of fun learning resources and games related to animals and the natural environment.
After successfully completing the activities, it’s time to reward the kids with playtime activities! Join them in their fun little plays to also improve your bonding and relationship with the kids. πͺ
4. Enjoy movies and TV shows
There are a number of streaming sites available and that includes Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Disney+. Obviously, you need to have a subscription to enjoy these services. If you want a fresh new catalog and FREE viewing, check out iFlix and Tubi!
iFlix (https://www.iflix.com/) has been around for years and their catalog continues to grow especially with local movies and TV shows. That’s the specialty of iFlix: your favorite Filipino stars! Of course, it won’t be complete without Koreanovelas and other foreign shows from Asia. The bulk of iFlix titles are available for FREE, while some are considered VIP content. BUT! You can actually be a VIP for 30 days at no extra cost by just redeeming this code: iflixVIPtime.
And then there’s Tubi (https://tubitv.com/), an ad-supported streaming service. Expect to see advertisements during unskippable commercial breaks while you’re watching, but everything here is FREE. Tubi’s catalog is vast with titles from both major and independent studios, and all are neatly presented on their modern website.
Both iFlix and Tubi can be accessed on any web browser. Also, both have their respective apps on different Smart TV platforms! If you own a Smart TV from major brands like Samsung and Sony, simply search for iFlix or Tubi on your TV’s app store and hit download. You’ll be streaming comfortably on a big screen in no time!
5. Get hooked on ebooks
After binge-watching, we now jump to binge-reading! We highly suggest to let your eyes rest, but after that, visit these two ebook sites that offer 100 percent free library. Ideally, you’ll enjoy reading an ebook more a dedicated reader like a Kindle or on a sizeable tablet.
The first ebook site we recommend is Manybooks (https://manybooks.net/). As advertised, they “have more than 50,000 free ebooks waiting to be discovered.” They claim to be a friendly neighborhood library and, like with other websites, they are open 24/7! You can browse by genre, Editor’s Pick, or popularity.
Next up is Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/ ) with its 60,000+ collection! Their website might look outdated, but it serves its function. Their ebooks are also available on multiple formats so it’s easy to download and transfer them to your reading device. Embrace the classics and come across other well-known stories for FREE!
With these activities, you’ll surely make the most of your time at home. Do you have other suggestions? Chime in the comments and share away! We’d love to know what makes you productive during the quarantine. π§
Stay home and stay safe! π‘
Prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home. Always cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, and clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches.
DOH COVID-19 Special Emergency Hotlines: (02) 894-COVID and 1555.
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