You’re getting sick of this whole quarantine thing, aren’t you? Well, think about it this way: when it’s over, you’ll never have this much time to yourself ever again. Take advantage of not knowing what day it is and finish strong. We have crafted a list of entertaining things to do when you’re bored at home throughout the quarantine in May.
Learn to play guitar
You can get help, if you need it, from the teachers at Old Town School of Folk Music.
Get into mixology
You can get cocktail kits to help you create delicious concoctions.
Take a virtual museum tour
An excellent thing to do at home is take a virtual tour of the best museums in Chicago. This is also a great way to become familiar with the history of the city.
Read or listen to books through the public library
Check out Chicago Public Library’s online resources to find out how to access materials.
Stream the Northern Lights any night of the week
This livestream of the Northern Lights runs 24/7.
Take creative writing classes with StoryStudio
Flex those creative muscles and get a story down on paper.
Follow the Shedd animals’ adventures on Instagram
They’re just so adorable.
Watch a Broadway show
If you’re missing a little drama in your life, you can always stream it straight from BroadwayHD.
Watch a new streaming platform
You know, since you’ve binged everything else.
Or stick to movies on Netflix
The classics you can’t forget.
Sing along with your neighbors
If you’re searching for things to do when you’re bored at home this month, you can join other Chicagoans nightly in singing to show support for healthcare and other essential workers.
Check out SPACE’s virtual concert series
Or have someone come sing on your front lawn.
Experience live music with Empty Bottle’s Music Friendly Distancing
We miss our concert venues a little too much.
Watch live painting and music
Watch the livestream of local artist Lewis Achenbach painting along with a musical performance by DoYeon Kim.
Get spiritual with a tarot meet-up on Zoom
Quarantine might have you feeling out of whack. Get realigned.
Watch home movie footage with a DJ set
Every Thursday at 7 pm, you can catch a set of footage from the South Side Home Movie Project digital archives, accompanied by Chicago DJs.
Have brunch with DJ Ca$h Era on Twitch every Sunday
The virtual dance party you sorely need.
Get your fill of weirder sounds with Experimental Sound Studio’s Quarantine Concerts
Music feeds the soul.
Relive an iconic Lollapalooza set every Thursday night
And tune in for Power Hour on Sundays!
Chill out with “The Baby Whisperer”
If you have kids and they (or you) need to chill out, let Colin read them a story!
Paint and sip at home
With this online class, you’ll be guided through painting Frida Kahlo.
Try a virtual beer tasting
We all know you’re drinking anyway. Try it with people again!
Taste some wine with In Grape Company
More of a wino? Got you.
Take a cooking class
Master those skills in the kitchen.
Laugh your ass off at virtual comedy night
Cabin Fever puts on nightly shows for your entertainment.
Learn something new
Pick up a new skill.
Saw @SirPatStew in Othello when I was sixteen and it ruined all future Shakespeare for me; he could read the back of a cereal box and it would be beautiful. Listened to this on repeat and am calmer than I've been in days. Thank me later https://t.co/bZQaDG9Nhe
— J. Mae Barizo (@jmaebarizo) March 22, 2020
Listen to a sonnet a day from Patrick Stewart
Another thing to do at home throughout the quarantine is to brew some Earl Grey and settle in for Shakespearean sonnets with your favorite starship captain.
Virtually visit a Disney park
Wouldn’t it be so cool to visit a Disney park when no one else is there?
Solve a livestream escape room
You thought the real thing was hard.
Listen to streaming improvised piano
Pianist Jonathan Hannau, who ordinarily performs an hour of improvised music for meditation at St. Vincent de Paul every Tuesday, has moved this session online.
Go to prom
If you thought you couldn’t go to prom, you are mistaken— FitzGerald’s is doing an online prom show this month.
Watch an improv show
Second City is streaming free at-home improv shows on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Let Dolly Parton read you bedtime stories
Why not?
Have a boozy brunch at your place
BYOB, obviously.
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Commons Online
Join this arts community.
Wake up with a virtual dance party
Daybreaker has been throwing morning parties long before quarantine, but now they’re virtual!
Go to Hogwarts
Put your sorting cap on and check out these Harry Potter activities on JK Rowling’s new site.
Learn how to knit
You know you’ve always wanted to.
