Sometimes it feels like there is nothing fun to do. You have played all the board games, done all the crafts, and done all the puzzles you can bere, but here are some fun and interesting new ways to spend your day and hopefully you will find one that works for you.
Cooking
Nowadays you can’t always go out to get your favorite treat so here are some fun snacks you can make for yourself or your family!
Bubble Tea
Bubble Tea is a pretty popular treat but it is not something you would think about making at home. But surprisingly it is pretty easy once you have the right materials. You can get tapioca pearls of amazon for relatively cheap and then all you need is your choice of frozen fruit and milk. First, follow the rules on your packaging to cook your tapioca pearls. Then you blend together 2 cups of frozen fruit (I suggest strawberry and mango, peach and blueberry, or strawberry and banana) and 2 cups of milk until it is a smooth liquid. Then put some tapioca pearls in the bottom of your cup and add your mixture on top and you now have the perfect bubble tea!
Smore Muffins
You might have missed your camping trip over the summer but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on some marshmallow fun! Start by blending together the graham crackers in a food processor until it is a powder. Then while it is blending add in the melted butter. Add your mixture into your muffin tins and pack it in. Then put the base into the over at 350 for 5 minutes. Then add a layer of chocolate on top of the gram cracker crust. Finally cut marshmallows in half and place them on top of the chocolate. Put it back in the oven on broil for 1 to 2 minutes (be sure to watch and take them out when they turn golden and crispy).
Ingredients: makes 24 mini muffins
18 Graham cracker
10 tbsp of melted butter
24 pieces of chocolate
12 marshmallows
Crafts
Here are some crafts that are useful, easy, and just plain fun!
Oobleck
If you have taken a basic science class you probably know there are three states of matter solid, liquid and gas, but oobleck acts like it is both! When you hold it in your had or poke it slowly it is liquid but when you hit it or roll it fast while applying pressure it acts like a solid. It is also super simple and easy to make. All you need is cornstarch and water. The recipe calls for 2 parts cornstarch and one part water and if you want you can add a little food coloring. It can get a little messy but it is super fun and great to do if you are looking after your younger siblings.
Hand Sanitizer
It is very important to keep ourselves and our families safe from COVID and one way to protect ourselves is by using hand sanitizer. So here is an easy way to make it on your own. First, pour one cup of aloe vera gel into a bowl, then add one tablespoon of witch hazel and half a teaspoon of tea tree oil. If you want you can add another essential oil for scent. Then pour your mixture into the container you are going to use (I suggest using an old hand sanitizer bottler) and then it is ready to be used.
Masks
Another way we can keep ourselves safe is with masks and here is a super-easy way to make them for yourself and others. First, you will need two types of fabric, one for the outside of the mask that can have a fun pattern, and then you will need fabric for the inner lining of the mask that can be just a basic white. You will also need elastic and a sewing machine (you can also hand sew or use glue). Start by cutting your lining and your pattern fabric into a 9in by 6in rectangle (you can mess around with these dimensions and see what fits right for you) and pin the two pieces together having the nonpattern side facing up. Cut two pieces of 6.5in elastic and place them in between the two pieces of fabric so that the ends sit in a place where you will run over them while sewing the outside. Then sew or glue all around the mask except leaving a small hole to flip the fabric (don’t forget to reinforce where you are sewing in the elastic). When you have finished sewing turn the fabric inside out. Then move on to the plates, (I suggest doing 2) fold the fabric then pin on the sides, then repeat (mess around with it till it looks right). Then sew a straight stitch down the side of the mask going over the pleats. Then you iron down your pleats do they are flatter. Then you’re done and you have an amazing mask for you or a friend!
Games
You have probably played all the games in your closet by now so here are some games you can buy or make yourself!
Card Games
There is so much you can do with a simple deck of cards so here are some new games to play
Spit: This is a fast-paced game played in rounds where you play cards up or down from your hand until you run out and finish by slapping the smaller pile. It is super fun and good to play if you want an energetic game.
Palace: This game is perfect for a big age range because it is pretty simple if you know the rules but you need to use some strategies to win. If you are playing with a bigger group of people you will need two decks. The goal of the game is to run out of cards first but you keep playing until one player is left and they are the big loser.
Spoons: This is another pretty fast-paced game and is basically musical chairs except the goal is to get 4 of the same card so then you can grab a spoon. All you need is a deck of cards and one less spoon then your number of players.
Board Games
There are so many fun games you can play with your family so here are a couple of suggestions.
Settlers of Catan: This is a super fun group game that is all about building a civilization. It could be a little difficult for younger players but just partner them up with an adult and you’ll be fine. This is a great game to play if you want to chat while you are playing.
Say Anything: This is a great game to play with longtime friends or people you want to get to know better. You answer different questions and try to come up with a response that the person who asked the question would like and then they get to choose their favorite answer and you get points based on how many answers you wrote.
Throw Throw Burrito: This is a super fun game that is a mix of dodge ball and a matching game. There are two squish burritos that you can throw at an opponent. It is a good game if you have younger kids or you want a more athletic game.
Make Your Own Games
If you are two bored with the same old games why don’t you try making your own
Puzzles: If you are looking for something artsier this is the way to go. You can design your own puzzle by painting or coloring on the white puzzle pieces. Then when you are done you can enjoy putting the puzzle together!
Board Game: This is a super awesome kit for you to do with family or friends. You can make up your own rules and customize it as much as you want. If your not the best artist you can take pages from magazines or printed off the internet to make the game your very own.
