Quarantine has taught us to find new ways to entertain ourselves in our homes. After a while, it’s normal to miss doing all the things you did outside before the pandemic. Many websites and apps were created or became more popular during this time as they provide us with new forms of entertainment.
Websites
Drive and Listen
Do you miss driving around town in your car while listening to music? The Drive & Listen site can help you simulate that feeling again!
Hey, I’m a master student in Munich and during the pandemic, I created the Drive and Listen web app where you can drive through different cities and listen to their local radio stations. I’m trying to add more cities at the moment.
– Erkam, creator of the site
This website simulates the feeling of driving a car and listening to the radio. The fun part is that you can choose different cities around the world; from Paris to London via Tokyo and New York, the possibilities are endless. You can also switch between local radio stations, manipulate car speed and add street noise. Show your support for the creator of the site by offering him a coffee. Check out the Drive & Listen website here!
teleparty
Going to the cinema and hosting movie nights are definitely some of the things I miss before quarantine. Luckily, there are still ways to watch movies and shows while chatting with your friends online.
Teleparty, (formerly known as Netflix Party), is a browser extension for watching TV remotely with friends, for example, for long-distance movie nights with that special someone. It syncs video playback and adds group chat to your favorite streaming sites.
This Chrome extension is perfect for hosting movie nights, marathons, and watch parties. It’s currently available for Netflix, HBO, Hulu and Disney+, but many more services are coming! The download consists of 3 easy steps: install the extension from their website or the Chrome Web Store, open a video on your favorite streaming service and click the red TP button at the top of your screen, and share the URL with your friends. Check the Teleparty website here for more info!
Google Arts & Culture
Museums are a great way to appreciate art and culture, learn about the past, and broaden our minds.
“Don’t go to a museum with a destination. Museums are wormholes to other worlds. They are ecstasy machines. Follow your eyes where they lead…and the world should start to change for you.
-Jerry Saltz
Although it’s not the same as physically visiting a museum, you can still enjoy interactive experiences online with the Google Arts & Culture website. You can visit famous museums around the world, explore works of art up close, learn about famous artists, play interactive games and much more. Personally, I enjoy exploring museums around the world virtually from the comfort of my home. Check out the Google Arts & Culture website here! It is also available for download as an app.
Just give me good positive news
Hearing mostly bad news over the past year can be difficult, but not all the news you hear should be bad. In times like these, it’s very important to focus on the right things and not lose hope.
I run this site in my spare time and love giving you all the positive news! If you enjoyed the site, we would love for you to help me share the good news far and wide, share us on Reddit, your Facebook or your Twitter and spread some positivity around you.
– Creator Quote
Focusing on the positive things in life is very difficult, especially when there is so much negativity around us. Just Give Me Positive Good News website allows you to ignore any negative thoughts by providing only positive news. The news is divided by month, country and important topics. Check out the Just Give Me Positive Good News website here!
National Museum of Natural History — Virtual tours
As you may know, Smithsonian museums are very popular. The National Museum of Natural History is temporarily closed due to the pandemic, but offers virtual tours. If you are interested in nature and history, this tour is for you!
Virtual Tours of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas of the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations, as well as past exhibits that are no longer on display.
It offers access to permanent exhibits, current exhibits, past exhibits, the museum’s support center and research stations, a few other Smithsonian tours, and narrated tours. All these virtual tours are completely free. Check the National Museum of Natural History – Virtual Tours website here for more tips and information!
Live animal webcams
Who doesn’t love watching animals in their natural habitat?
“Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what is missing in our lives and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us to who we are and to the purpose of why we are. here.”
-Trisha McCagh
Many zoos and aquariums have live webcams so people around the world can tune in to see what the animals are doing. It’s a great way to learn more about animals and their way of life. Personally, I find it interesting but peaceful to just sit and observe. Some of my favorite webcams are from San Diego Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Edinburgh Zoo, but there are plenty of other options just a Google search away!
apps
LingoDeer
We have all gone through the phase of wanting to learn a new language. Thanks to the pandemic, we have had more free time in which we can develop new hobbies.
“Learning another language is not just learning different words for the same things, but learning a different way of thinking about things.”
-Flora Lewis
LingoDeer is a language learning app that helps you develop more skills as you complete each lesson. It includes languages like Korean, French, Italian, Spanish and more. The courses offer you introductions to the language, lower intermediate and intermediate courses, basic and intermediate courses, ways to improve your conversation skills and a phrasebook that can help you prepare for your next trip. The application is available for download on the App Store and Google Play!
smiling spirit
Having a sense of peace and balance is very beneficial for our physical and mental health. Meditation apps can be very helpful during these stressful times.
“The more regularly and deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace.”
– J. Donald Walters
Developing the skills of meditation and mindfulness isn’t something you can accomplish overnight, but practice will help you improve. The Smiling Mind app was created to provide you with the resources you need to achieve mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness allows you to reduce anxiety, create a sense of calm, relax and regulate emotions, improve concentration, increase productivity, develop a sense of connection and enjoy a better night’s sleep. The application is available for download on the App Store and Google Play! You can also check out the Smiling Mind website here for more resources and information.
Delicious
The pandemic has forced us to cook more at home, so why not take advantage of it!
I think preparing food and feeding people nourishes not only our bodies but also our minds. Feeding people is a way of loving them, just as feeding oneself is a way of honoring one’s own creation and frailty.
-Shauna Niequist
Tasty is the largest food network bringing you cooking videos and recipes. It provides trending/popular recipes, guides, weekly meal plans and much more. Some popular searches are easy dinner, 5 ingredients or less, under 30 minutes, breakfast, and desserts. Some cool features include creating your own cookbook and searching for recipes based on what you already have at home. The application is available for download on the App Store and Google Play! You can also check Tasty website and Youtube channel for more delicious recipes.
