So.. I thought it might be useful - given that we may all be spending plenty of time alone or in family groups for a while - to have a thread of things we can share (activities, things to do, etc) to pass the time and take our minds off.... [flaps hands wildly at the nearest window]. Either for ourselves of for the young 'uns.
This is NOT a thread to discuss the you-know-what directly. There are (apparently) plenty of threads on that topic already and there are a lot of us who, frankly, need a break and distraction from it.
So... share any ideas, freebies, things to do and try, journalling activities, creative writing or art exercises, challenges, solo RPG's, peaceful walking simulators...anything you think will help each other take even just a few hours out from the chaos and take their minds of things. If it's free, all the better - a lot of folks are going to be stretched thin money-wise over the coming months.
And, of course, post your results here in the thread where possible!
If you're not feeling up to something interactive and just want to lie down and relax for a bit, i've resurrected a thread i made a few years back where you can find or add more passive relaxing things (ASMR videos, music, background audio of rainfall, whatever works).
Colouring/Mindfulness
The Call of Cthulhu Colouring Book
Drawing and Art
The Weekly Drawing Challenge Thread
Inktober 52 Weekly drawing challenge
How to get 2 free months off of your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
TTRPG's (solo or otherwise)
The Artefact
Sigils in the Dark
Ironsworn - Solo or Coop TTRPG
Fantasy Age - Basic Rulebook
A list of free books and games available on Drive Thru RPG
The Silent Garden. another solo journaling game.
Print N' Play Board Games
Canvas (rulebook)
Afternova (rulebook)
Crypt (rulebook)
You can also get Tabletopia versions here: Afternova / Crypt
Stories to Read / Have Read to you!
Oliver Jeffers narrating his own children's books online daily.
Audible Discovery
Get a custom voice message by Spiderman for your kids
Knitting / Cross-Stitch
Free patterns available through Ravelry
Digital Games
Connor Sherlock's "Walking Simulator A Month Club" - free first volume.
Steam GDC Games Festival (until Mon 23rd)
Lord of the Rings Online and D&D online are both free (with all DLC) right now.
The "Games to Help You Stay Inside" Collection
Arts & Theatre
Social Distancing Festival
Broadway Shows - Filmed on Stage
SFW? Comics
Saturday Morning Breakfast club webcomic - free books
NSFW(FH)
Any parents that enjoy kids books might already be familiar with Oliver Jeffers' work.
He's broadcasting live on Instagram every day to read his books out loud and give some background about their books.
My kids love his stories and enjoyed yesterday's stream.
He streams around 12insh, but it stays online for a few days
I think... I can't wrap my 42-year-old head around Instagram for some reason
I feel like with so much demand being placed on ISP's right now, I should be trying to be less online. I think being less online in general would be a detriment to my health in these times, honestly. We're thinking of starting a crafting club or something between the roomies.
My go-to was cross-stitch, so I have a lineup of projects that I need to get started on. I have already put up a few around the house that have been completed. I'll see about putting up pics later
Great thread! I would love to see other people's ideas, as well.
My go-to is knitting. I'm participating in a speed sock-knitting contest. I've made it through the qualification round with ~1000 of my new closest friends, and we've been broken up into 26 teams. My team has 42 people to start, and 38 will make it to round 2. We'll get the pattern for round 1 sometime this week.
Once you're past the learning stage, and need less of your brain to concentrate on the knitting itself, it goes really well with podcasts or audiobooks, or TV you can follow mostly by listening to it. And there are plenty of tutorial videos online if you need to learn. And you get socks, or a hat, or a sweater when you're done!
A lot of yarn stores will be closed right now, but many will have curbside pickup or will mail an order to you in only a few days. If you need to find free patterns, I really like the Ravelry database of patterns, which you can filter for free options.
Here's one that's definitely NOT for kids
Stjepan Sejic has released Sunstone 1-6 for people to read for free via his twitter page/drop box.
For those that don't know, It's a charming AF (but extremely NSFW) romantic comedy about a lesbian BDSM couple with AMAZING art. Not going to be for everyone, but what can you do
Oh my! Thanks!
I’ve already got Sunstone 1-6 in trade paperbacks but may check that out to have them digitally as well.
1.
I think I might try making a no install door camera. I seen it on a DIY site I think while looking for something else. They connected a wired camera to a door hook, the kind you hang over a door. I have a cheap camera I'm not using so if someone steals it who cares.
2.
Maybe do some model building. I have few gundams and one piece ships to build. I was in the store and notice no run on models or model supplies.
3.
Might paint some weapons. I bought some God of War cheap weapons, just toys. The plan is to paint them. Wrap real leather around the handles, and replace the plastic chains with real chains. Maybe just repaint the chains to not look like plastic. Might be to much work to put real chains on.
4.
Catch up on some reading. Currently reading The Long Halloween. Also have a black history book I want to start.
5.
Might make a remote control car. I have the parts just haven't gotten around to messing with it. Or maybe go fly my copter or run the cars I have. Hmmm the parks are kind of empty. Would be a good time to drive a car along the paths. Oh maybe I could see if I could mount a camera on it. Hmmm I could use a old phone as the camera. This seems like a winner. Think I'll take a car out tomorrow.
I needed something quick i can just pickup and do in-between other things or when i'm feeling particular anxious, so i came up with the idea of using the VAST amount of blank playing cards i have lying around to make small mini "dungeon" encounters for my patreon page. I'll probably scribble some small encounter details on the back and use them in my 5e games as well.
Those. Look. Awesome!
Does LEGO count? I find that when I’m building a set I’m working with my hands and not thinking about much else.
Just wanna say I'm loving this thread. Thank you!
A bunch of movies that were going to theaters are on streaming now. The are going for $20 though.
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