When we first heard the rumblings about quarantine due to the COVID-19, there was a rush of information on how to fill your days. Facebook groups touted their favorite resources, memes were prevalent, and many people looked at the long days of isolation as an opportunity for self-improvement.

Over a month in, the realization has set in that this will be a lot longer than a month – or even two – at home. It is true that restrictions are easing with small stores cautiously being  opened, small businesses like hairdressers re-opening (what?), and students are heading back for their Arbitur as early as this week (serious what?!), but all gatherings are off till at least August 31st. Most pertinent for my family, KiTas are not re-opening for non-essential workers til August. Once again, we are staring down the barrel of a very long time staying at home.

“Wash Hands, Call Oma” PHOTO: Erin Porter

In the hopes of helping others in this situation – whether in Germany or Austria or the USA or elsewhere – I am putting out some of the best things I have found to fill your quarantined days. You don’t have to do anything extra during this weird limbo we are all existing in, but if you are bored in the house here is what to do while quarantined in Germany.

Learn German

If you are struggling to learn German, this is the moment to buckle down and get to know your der, die, and das. With fewer distractions it is easier to focus and study German seriously, even online. And with so many freelancers out of work, there has been an explosion of offers from German teachers willing to get creative. Set-up a trial lesson or chat with a native German-speaker in a language exchange.

Of course, language aps are still plentiful. I have once again downloaded Duolingo and we have re-dedicated ourselves to German TV, one of the easiest ways to absorb a new language for children and adults alike. If you are concerned with the massive amount of screen time you are absorbing, audio stories can do wonders for your comprehension.

Get Creative

Empty Playground in Berlin PHOTO: Erin Porter

Judging from my social media, Basteln (crafts) is all the rage. Easter was a hotbed of activity, and today is Earth Day which is a good time to collect some fallen cherry blossoms or make a flower crown and celebrate the absolutely glorious spring season we are mostly missing.

Far artsier friends than I have created impressively rustic projects like turning painted sticks into magic wands, cardboard boxes into intricate mazes, and old clothes into elaborate costumes. Who knew everyday people were so talented?

I was also introduced to Taskmasters during this time. They are on week nine of #hometasking, but we just participated in the latest which was creating a video of a superhero and displaying their superhero. It was fun, creative, and something to do!

ExpatBabies, a very busy expat facebook group in Berlin, is full of ideas. A few highlights from there:

• Family Lockdown Tips & Ideas
• Pause & Play – Kids’ Science Channel
• Saturday Club – Bilingual family group
• The Dad Lab

Also check the many children’s museums as they may be  offering workshops, crafts and ideas online.

Sports

For those looking for something to motivate their body, all sorts of sidelined athletes and their leagues have dedicated themselves to providing activities. For example, Alba (Berlin’s Basketball team) is providing daily drills on German TV and online.

My kid and I have also been participating in online yoga. Options are plentiful, but the spirited and themed exercises with Cosmic Kids Yoga have kept my 5-year-old interested for a full 20 to 30 minutes. A miracle!

Or just go for a walk. We are still allowed outside and parks are open. Keep your distance, keep it moving, but enjoy.

Become a Foodie

What better time then now to nurture a sourdough starter (now that yeast and flour have returned to the supermarket)? Or develop your own scobie? Or grow an herb garden? All of these activities seem very popular right now, and will indeed make the one thing we can still enjoy – eating – better.

If you have kids, turning any meal into a picnic, a camp-out, or a restaurant experience makes them magical.

I think Barlauch (wild garlic) is still in season and foraging in popular in Germany no matter the state of the world. Local markets have also stayed open through all this with increased safety measures and are a chance to support your local farmers. Some restaurants have also transformed into upscale pantries that allow you to buy their raw goods or meal boxes.

We actually just bought a new grill on a walk through a Kleingarten (community garden). Admiring its fine condition, I tentatively asked if the seller had paypal and we bought it on the spot. In Germany! Electronic, instant payent that isn’t cash!  What a world.

Grill purchased via Paypal in German Kleingarten! PHOTO: Erin Porter

Stay safe and sane everyone! We will just be at home with our kids, playing endless games of legos and trying to remember to be thankful for our health.