Things to do while you're social distancing
The importance of social distancing
Social distancing includes ways to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. It means less contact between you and other people. Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:
- Direct close contact with a person while they are infectious or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appeared;
- Close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or
- Touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.
So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.
If you're doing the right thing and staying home (or limiting your time outside and staying away from others), here's some ideas of things to keep you occupied.
Health & Fitness
Online Yoga
Local yoga instructors have gone digital! Follow the links below for information on what you can do from the comfort of your own living room.
The Yoga Lounge
The Yoga Lounge will be offering online yoga, meditation, workshops, and kids classes. Your already purchased class cards can be used for these. Private sessions also available. Prepare by downloading the free Zoom app to your ipad or tablet.
Sharon Pegrum Yoga
Sharon Pegrum teaches a yoga class but not as you have perhaps experienced before. She is Yoga Detour and Restorative trained meaning her class incorporates functional movement, mindfulness techniques, strength building and kind awareness with a bit of yoga asana (physical postures) woven through. Sharon is passionate about practices that help our bodies to move well on and off the mat whilst building strength and mobility without pain and believes these practices are accessible and inclusive to all. She offers this classes online to adults of all abilities both in groups or as 1:1 sessions as well running a weekly kids class that incorporates this same functional movement activities with a light hearted approach.
Mondays Strength & Mobility
Wednesdays Kids Fitness Fun
Thursdays Flow & Stretch
Connect with Sharon on her Website | Facebook | Instagram
Yoga with Amy
With restrictions eased, join Amy in the park for a variety of yoga classes suited to all abilities. Social distancing and COVID-19 regulations will be observed, and classes will be at a maximum of 20.
Head to Amy's events page to find out what's on.
Online Boxing Classes
James from the Wheatbelt Boxing Club will be offering FREE online boxing classes via Zoom (download the app here) 3 times per week:
Mondays 5pm-5.45pm
Wednesdays 6pm-6.45pm
Saturdays 8.30am-9.15am
One on one sessions can also be arranged- contact James on wheatbeltboxingclub@bigpond.com or 0400 214 365
Online Zumba
Get your Zumba on 7 days every week, plus Saturday evenings!
Simply download Zoom, enter the password given to you when you sign up, and you're good to go! With Kim's classes you will burn loads of calories, lose weight, tone & tighten your body & keep your mental health in good shape.
$5 per class, or free to anyone who has lost their job in financial hardship. For more info, or to register, call Kim on 0404 007 431
Kids & Families
Northam Library Baby Rhyme Time
While you can't attend baby rhyme time in person, the Northam Library are making their sessions digital! Head to the Baby Rhyme Time playlist for some rhyme time fun
Enjoy Some Family Time
Take advantage of having everyone at home and take part in a family activity such as a movie night or board game.
Competitions
Many of our local businesses realise that this is a difficult time for local families. To help, some of them have launched competitions to keep you occupied, and give you a chance to win yourself some local goodies!
Northam Bear Hunt
Take a walk or drive around Northam to see how many hiding bears you can find! For more information, join the Bear Hunt Northam Facebook group
Autopro Picture Hunts
Head to the Autopro Northam Facebook page to see the latest of their online picture hunts. They'll be posting a series of pictures to keep the little ones occupied.
Online Acting Workshops
The Perth Academy of Performing Arts will occupy your kids for an hour each day with fun and physically engaging Acting games and activities. Classes will get kids up and moving, are highly interactive and students will meet and connect with like minded kids which is so important during this difficult time.
Sessions are just $11 each and you can book as many as you like. Give yourself a break and treat the kids to something fun, different, safe and educational they can do at home.
Check out their website for information and booking details.
Online Art Lessons
Follow Holly's Art Studio & Lessons on Facebook for regular inspirational posts on things to do for you and the kids while you're at home with all of that creative energy!
Connect with Friends & Family
Just because you may need to distance yourself from long-distance family and friends, or those more vulnerable to illness, that doesn't mean you can't catch up for a cuppa! Download Zoom to start your own video chatroom (why not host family games nights on there?), call them, or check in via social media.
Have a Garden Picnic
You don't have to travel far to enjoy a picnic in the fresh air. Find a spot in the garden, set up a blanket, grab your favourite foods, and you're ready to go!
Make a Time Capsule
Spend this time with the little ones making a memory box to open in 10, 15, or 20 years. When you open this together, you'll enjoy looking back on what you did while you were at home together.
Northam PCYC Colouring Pages
Northam PCYC have a range of resources for the little ones on their Facebook page, including some fun, free colouring pages!
Northam Early Years Network Story Time
The Northam Early Years Network have been working with a number of local organisations to bring you daily story time on their Facebook page.
The Seed Library
Get the little ones gardening with these great seed packs from the Seed Library.
At Home Holiday Activities
At home holiday activities
Things to do at home for kids
100 things to do indoors
Educational Resources
Free numeracy apps (1)
Free numeracy apps (2)
Free literacy apps (1)
Free literacy apps (2)
Free educational sites (1)
Free educational sites (2)
Online learning platforms for Aussie kids
Perth Zoo
Perth Zoo are uploading frequent videos and activities to keep the little ones entertained.
Adults
Avon Creatives in Isolation & Beyond
This fun Facebook group is a space for all of the Avon Valley's creative types to connect and talk about what they're creating. If you're crafty, or looking to start a new hobby, join the group for some local inspiration.
Learn a new Skill
Always wanted to learn how to play guitar? Been meaning to learn a new language? Looking to brush up on your photography skills? Find a course online, or watch a YouTube tutorial. Many of these resources are free- why not try while you have the time?
DIY
Had jobs in your home or garden that you've been meaning to get to for years? Use this time to get them done while you're at home.
Listen to a Podcast
Let your ears do the walking and delve into the world of podcasts. There’s everything from great brain teasers like the All Aussie Mystery Hour where true crime buffs Josie and Mel present unsolved mysteries, to The Australia Institute explaining the nation’s economy and busting fiscal myths in everyday language. The Feedspot blog lists 50 top podcasts for Australians to follow this year with news and views from across the nation. Or check out these recommended sustainability podcasts, to help you up your green credentials from the comfort of your couch.