Even as Ohio begins to re-open, a recent polls found 56% of Americans are still staying home and practicing social distancing. So if you’re among them, or just want to prevent that inevitable summertime boredom, we came up with five new hobbies and quaran-tivities to try this weekend.
Baking
If you’ve been watching The Great British Baking Show and want to give it a roll, start with simple recipes such as coffee cakes and blueberry crumble muffins. After a shortage, sourdough starters are now available on Amazon. Companies like The Innocent Baker and Whisk Takers also offer baking subscription boxes, which include all the necessary ingredients and detailed recipes, delivered right to your door. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to bake a Cleveland classic, check out Corbo’s traditional butterball recipe.
Learn A New Instrument
Imagine attending your first post-quarantine party and busting out a perfect rendition of “Wonderwall” by Oasis on that acoustic guitar propped up in the corner. Learning a new instrument can improve memory, reduce stressed and provide a newfound appreciation for music. While there are plenty of beginner video lessons and tutorials on YouTube and lesson app Fender Play has been offering three months of free lessons, Music & Arts, which has locations in Parma and Lyndhurst, is currently offering 50% off virtual lessons for the month of June.
Start A Virtual Book Club
If you’ve worked your way through your Netflix queue and you screen time keeps rising, try launching a virtual book club with friends and family. Simply settle on a time, a date and a virtual platform such as Zoom, Google Hangouts or Skype. Expand your horizons by opening the call for members on social media or reach out to reconnect with friends with whom you’ve lost touch. And if you’re looking for a great book to read, check out our favorite local reads right now.
Flower pressing
An Internet-trendy activity, this craft makes the perfect wall art addition to your bathroom or bedroom, a cute new bookmark for that virtual book club or a birthday card for a distant friend. Simply begin by drying past Homecoming boutonnieres, common weed flowers growing in your yard or other picked flowers and press them between heavy book pages. Then, creatively arrange the flowers, leaves and stems on a brightly colored piece of construction paper or in a see-through botanical frame to create your own floral piece of art. For more, check out this video guide.
Roller Skating
As commutes disappear, many people are returning to outdoor childhood favorites, creating shortages in bikes and roller skates. The latter has been proven to work major leg and core muscles and also reduces stress. Getting started is simple: lace up, bend your knees and simply shift your body weight left and right. You’ll be rolling in no time. If you’re looking for a new pair, check out Next Level Skate Shop, a full service roller skate shop specializing in roller derby. By the time next season rolls around, you might just be ready to join the Burning River Roller Derby team.
