Most Popular Activities During Quarantine

When the COVID-19 global pandemic began, it changed a lot about daily life, and people of all different ages who live in all different places were forced to find new and different ways to entertain themselves.

Many people were no longer working or going to school, and activities like going to a movie theater, shopping at a mall, playing at parks and playgrounds, and going on vacation were severely restricted or not allowed. So to fight off boredom, both children and adults were forced to expand their world, simultaneously finding new entertainment, and staying positive with the ongoing negativity around them.

Sidewalk Chalk

One of the hardest things about the COVID-19 pandemic was explaining it to children, who weren’t used to learning from home, not being able to see their friends or even go to a playground. So many turned to a time-honored tradition that has been part of more than a few childhoods-sidewalk chalk.

Whether it’s writing inspirational messages or drawing pictures of flowers, animals, people, and whatever else the artists can dream up, sidewalk chalk helped many to keep a positive attitude during trying times and express themselves through a creative outlet. Walking down the street and seeing all the colorful art on driveways and on roads allowed people to be hopeful and happy.

With the world becoming increasingly digital, it remains important for children to use their imagination, spend time outside, and utilize fine motor skills. And it’s not a bad idea for adults, either.

Baking (Especially Bread!)

In most areas of the United States, restaurants were closed, and even getting carry-out seemed risky, so many people found themselves in the kitchen more frequently. Cooking, especially baking, requires precision and focus, and it serves as something to concentrate on other than economic issues, the coronavirus, and all the other problems in the world.

One of the most popular items that people began baking is bread. It’s much easier and faster to buy loaves of bread at the grocery store, but there’s something special about a homemade, fresh-out-of-the-oven, soft loaf of bread, even if it takes a little bit longer and a little bit more work. Specifically, for whatever reason, banana bread has risen above many other baked goods.

Perhaps the treatise saw as comfort food, or people just need something to do with the bananas on their counter that are in the process of rotting. And it may just be the simple fact that food brings people together, and can often make one feel less stressed about whatever situation they may be in. But for whatever reason, banana bread, baking, and cooking provided another form of entertainment in quarantine.

Animal Crossing & Tiger King

Before the pandemic began, the heading of this section may not have made much sense to the average American. Most of the time, the activities of video games and the binging of Netflix shows are associated with teenagers and college kids, but both Animal Crossing and Tiger King took the nation, and several diverse age groups, by storm.

Animal Crossing is available to be played on Nintendo Switch, and a pocket version of the game can be downloaded on smartphones. The player is a human character and lives on an island where the other characters are animals. Players construct ladders and bridges and participate in activities like fishing, as well as talk and visit with other players. The most recent chapter of the game is called New Horizons, and sales have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic.

Another popular fad is an eight-episode docu-series called Tiger King that was released on Netflix. The TV show chronicles the bizarre career of big cat breeding, and the running of theme parks that showcase tigers, lions, and leopards, as well as the one-of-a-kind Joe Exotic and his alleged crimes. The show was a hit, and viewers were fascinated by the strange, unique lifestyles of Exotic, his archnemesis Carole Baskin, and the employees who work for both. Both Animal Crossing and Tiger King have been entertainment sensations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And of Course… the Internet

Social media and the Internet have been huge distractions and ways of avoiding boredom for over a decade, and that didn’t change once people began staying at home and social distancing. Social media platforms like YouTube and especially TikTok, which has struck a chord with younger generations, were flooded with dance challenges and videos detailing how people and families were entertaining themselves at home. Twitter remained a major source of news for many, as well as a place to vent, especially political opinions, with constantly updating hubs on the coronavirus and recent riots and protests.

Streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV, and Hulu gained even more popular than they had already possessed, and Americans across the country were able to binge whatever show they pleased. And of course, Zoom, Skype, and other means of online communication were essential for families and friends to stay connected and positive.

The COVID-19 health crisis changed a lot about daily life, including how we get our entertainment and caused a lot of stress and fear for Americans and people around the world. And while many adults and children reverted back to activities in which they hadn’t participated for years, video games, television shows, social media, and the Internet remained as popular as they’ve ever been, perhaps more.