Good News and Good Ideas
to help endure together
ADULT BOREDOM BUSTERS
Keeping yourself busy and fighting off boredom can be tough. Here is a long list of things you can do during quarantine. We update daily so be sure to check the bottom of the page!
Free Books
New York’s Public Library has made 300,000+ books available to download for free! All you have to do is install the library’s e-reader SimplyE.
Learn Something
Use your time in isolation to learn everything you’ve always wanted to learn. Check out Open Culture’s free online courses, audio books, eBooks, movies and more.
Movies on Demand
While society is self-isolating during the social distancing period, the film industry will be releasing numerous films ahead of their intended release dates that you can watch from the comfort of your home. Some of the films recently hit movie theaters while some have yet to hit theaters altogether.
Netflix Flicks
Google Chrome has an absolutely incredible extension called “Netflix Party,” which allows subscribers to watch a show or movie at the same time as multiple friends AND have a live chat going.
Multiplayer Games
Just because you can’t physically be with your friends during the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t mean that you can’t play with them. And having fun isn’t only for kids. Check out these cool multiplayer games.
Hosting Game Night
In today’s technologically savvy world, there’s plenty of things you can do to connect with friends, even when you can’t actually get together. This includes having a game night.
Happiness Class
One of the big ideas behind “The Science of Well-Being,” Yale’s most popular class of all time, is that true happiness doesn’t come from your circumstances or your achievements. It comes, professor Laurie Santos, PhD, told CNN, from simple daily practices like being grateful, living in the present moment, and connecting with others.
Travel from Home
Across the world, travel addicts are struggling with cancelled trips and no prospect of booking the next one for quite some time. Here are some nifty ways to experience travel without leaving home. Satisfy your desire to see the planet, all from the comfort of your couch! Be sure to check out our whole page on Tabletop Trips.
Free Theater
National Theatre is switching to its YouTube channel. From April 2, under the banner of National Theatre at Home, every Thursday (7pm GMT/2pm EST) will see a new National Theatre play released – free to watch for one week – along with bonus content including cast and creative Q&As and post-stream talks.
Free Creative Apps
Being stuck at home with nothing to do but watch the world collapse around us is kind of a downer, but there are some upsides. One is that people are getting creative. Like, literally creative — making more music, writing and sharing videos. The other silver lining is that app-makers are offering big discounts and extended trials for some amazing apps.
Andrew Lloyd Weber
Andrew Lloyd Webber will be streaming his musicals for free online in a new series for West End and Broadway fans. Entitled “The Shows Must Go On”, the series will start with the 2000 adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough
and Joan Collins.
Esplanade
Explore a variety of arts-related content on Esplanade Off Stage. There’s all types of things to check out, from articles to videos and podcasts.
Billboard Concerts
Since March, Billboard has been hosting Live At-Home concerts. Past performers include Hozier, Meghan Trainor and Kenny G. What’s more, all performers have chosen a non-profit organization to support during their livestreams. Besides the great music, it's super fun to see their homes.
Photo Contest
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Take part in the #StayHome Smartphone Photo Contest organised by the Photographic Society of Singapore and Raffles Health Insurance. From now until 11 May, get creative and snap shots of your interpretation of “#StayHome”. Stand a chance to win health screenings packages and cash prizes.
Chair Dance
Watch this film and see Scott Graham, Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly challenge you to create your own Chair Duet, and follow the step-by-step instructions to find out how! Don't have a partner.
No problem!
Watch here for solo ideas.
Stop Action Film
Stop motion is actually a really easy thing that everyone could integrate into their videos. Here, I start out with a broad overview of where you could start and then where you could end up. I also provide a really easy way that everyone can create great stop motion videos for cheap!
Virtual BD Party
Amid our new normal of social distancing, get-togethers both small and large have been called off, leaving many spring babies — plus their parents, partners, and friends — to celebrate at home.
Digital Puzzles of Oz
Destination NSW has developed digital jigsaws featuring a collection of 18 beautiful landscapes in New South Wales. All puzzles are automatically set to 32 pieces – but if you’re a puzzle master (or you’d like something a little easier) you can change the number of pieces to suit your mood or skill.


Wine Tasting
Portuguese vineyard-owner and wine sommelier, Rafael de Lima. Easy-going and full of laughs, "Rafa" helps break down the pretentious jargon of the wine world and equip you the foundational knowledge that we need to make smart picks at the bottle shop. Come prepared with your chosen bottle of white & red so Rafa could help talk us through the science behind the flavour, notes and food-pairing.
Live Bingo
This Isolation Bingo is set to be like a ‘night out’ on your sofa. Win prizes and take part in the sassiest game of bingo to exist, as Hides graces your screen with her hilarious quips and enviable wig collection. The games are Friday and Sunday nights,
New York time during the month of May.