Staying home and doing nothing used to be considered quite the luxury for many people, especially when facing long commutes to and from work, heavy traffic jams, and difficult co-workers on a daily basis.
Now that a mandatory stay-at-home for a whole MONTH is taking place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s safe to say that many people have already felt boredom creep in!
Massive shoutout though, to all the front-liners who are busy taking care of those who contracted the virus, and keeping the rest of us safe! It’s thanks to your hard-work and ceaseless dedication that allows us to sleep better at night!
Since today (28th March 2020) is when we celebrate Earth Hour, we’ve decided to compile a list of fun ideas which you can put to good use when the lights go out.
Play it safe and use plenty of candles or torchlights to help you see, or take the risky route and do these activities in pitch black darkness, the choice is all yours!
Here’s Admin’s Top 10 Faves If You Have A Hard Time Choosing!
Now, we know that the thought of 25 suggestions might sound a bit intimidating for you, so Admin has narrowed it down to the ones that Admin is SERIOUSLY considering to do during Earth Hour!
1) Switch off your lights
This one goes without saying, because it’s the very essence of Earth Hour, and the easiest way for you to do your part in this movement. Simply switch off every single power outlet for just an hour!
2) Dinner/drinks in the dark
Make sure you prep and cook in advance before you go dark; after that, eating together by candlelight couldn’t be more romantic!
To spice things up a little, why not eat and drink in total darkness, and get the other party to try and guess what they’re putting in their mouths!
3) Themed movie marathon night
Are you ready to butter your popcorn, and settle down for an entire night of binge watching on your gadgets? Some suggestions: Disney movies, Harry Potter series, or something just plain silly like the Scary Movies franchise.
4) Board or card games night
You can have a flashback to the past together, by playing board or card games from days of old. For example, Monopoly and Snap are just some of the perennial favourites.
We won’t be held responsible for any friendship/relationship that becomes strained due to the former, though!
5) Camp out among the stars
With no light pollution in place, deciding to camp in an open space like your garden, porch, or even balcony will allow you to see the stars more clearly. Who knows, you might even spot a shooting star, don’t forget to make a wish!
6) Eco-friendly fashion show/competition
Allow you and your family/friends to get carried away by the entertaining usage of recyclable materials to create fun fashion, with no rules and no holds barred! Then, sashay around the living room for everyone to judge who’s the “Best Dressed”.
7) Learn more about climate change from experts
One of humanity’s biggest challenges is climate change and how we can save our planet from being destroyed completely. Experts like Sir David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg are ready to educate you, as long as you’re willing to learn!
8) Create your own mini golf-course using household objects
Clear the floor space, and up the competition amongst each other! Make it even more challenging by setting house chores that the loser would need to do once the lights come back on.
9) Play a game of heads-up/charades
Now this activity would be amusing to watch, since the lack of proper lighting will make it harder for you to see the clues or facial reactions.
10) Sit in a circle with some candles in the middle and share horror stories
Be prepared to not get enough sleep if you’re easily scared like this writer is. The shadows thrown upwards from the light source will make the atmosphere even more creepy, and possibly even give you the sense that “someone” is watching.
11) Practice your skills at taking night photographs or try ‘light painting’
Want to post photographs that’ll wow your social media followers? Try taking self-portraits or that of the people in your house (make sure they’re not “uninvited guests”, refer to point above!) in lowlight or candlelight.
If you want something even cooler, check out this guide on how to shoot a ‘light painting’ with a tripod and slow shutter speed.
12) Build a blanket-and-pillow fort
This one will surely bring back plenty of good memories – you can’t go wrong with using your dining chairs for the supporting frames, putting pillows on the floor, and draping blankets or bedsheets across to form your very own fortress. Begone, darkness!
13) Bring out the artistic side with a drawing/painting night
Nothing could be more cosy than sitting in silence, with the gently flickering flames of candles to accompany your painting or drawing. To make things more interesting, throw in some splashes of glow-in-the-dark paint.
14) Write a letter to your future eco-warrior self
Imagine you’re someone from days of yore, scratching out words on a paper, with only a dim light source. Time to put all your sustainability goals into a letter to your future self, so you can make sure you’re accountable for your actions.
15) Disco the night away, or have a dance-off battle
Need some groovy tunes to dance the Earth Hour away? Check out their official Spotify playlist that contains their official trailer music from over the years, plus a playlist full of nature-inspired songs!
16) Acoustic jam session or karaoke together via phone music
Listen up, car jammers and shower singers! Now’s your time to show off those vocal chords; all you gotta do is put your phone in a shallow bowl and let the amplified sound get the voices going.
17) Exercise by candlelight
You might be thinking “Huh?” at this point, but we guarantee you that this’ll be an experience like no other. Some types of exercises you can do in the dark include yoga, meditation, and simple weightlifting.
18) Shadow puppet play
If you’ve got kids, this is the best time to teach them all about animals! Cut out shapes of various fauna, choose an empty patch of wall, and use a torchlight to bring those shapes to life with their respective sounds.
19) Minute to Win It
If you haven’t heard of this gameshow before, where have you been? It’s where 60-second challenges take place for a cash prize.
Do the same, but only using recyclable materials or foodstuff – for example, transferring 15 jellybeans from one plate to another using chopsticks.
20) Glow-in-the dark scavenger hunt
This couldn’t be any more fun; take glowsticks to use as markers, use glow-in-the-dark pens to write out each clue, and let the hunt begin. Make it even more rewarding with a “Escape From House Chores For A Week” pass!
21) Play a few rounds of hide-and-seek
The little ones would be truly entertained, what with the added nooks and crannies to hide in – and as long as you make sure nobody trips accidentally.
22) Host a theatre night
If you’ve got a family member or friend who loves dramatising EVERYTHING, this will be right up their alley, especially if children are involved. For example, everyone can dress-up and act out the classic yet famous love scene between Romeo and Juliet!
23) Create your own tie-dye clothes
This is a good activity for everyone, including the surly teenagers, since it gives them a chance to express their artistic side (even if it means lots of black will be used). This handy tutorial will give you more information on how to carry out this activity.
24) Try simple science experiments at home
Did you know that if you mix together some baking soda and vinegar = BOOM instant volcano? That’s right, you’re going to be showing your kids the fascinating wonders of science… all with simple household materials!
25) Read together with a torchlight
Ever wanted to encourage the love of books and reading in your children, but could never find the time to do so? With the Movement Control Order in place, you’d now be able to pick up that dusty book and bring them into the incredible world of words and pictures!
And there you have it, not one not two, but 25 awesome ideas to keep you occupied this Earth Hour! Remember to stay safe and stay home, you’ve got this list to keep you occupied for a few more days 😉
Disclaimer: The information is provided for general information only. PropertyGuru International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd makes no representations or warranties in relation to the information, including but not limited to any representation or warranty as to the fitness for any particular purpose of the information to the fullest extent permitted by law. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this article is accurate, reliable, and complete as of the time of writing, the information provided in this article should not be relied upon to make any financial, investment, real estate or legal decisions. Additionally, the information should not substitute advice from a trained professional who can take into account your personal facts and circumstances, and we accept no liability if you use the information to form decisions.