If there’s one thing that has come out of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s the need to be more creative in how we spend our free time.

With many areas in the United States in some kind of lockdown given the closure of many entertainment venues, and with some activities on a temporary hiatus due to social distancing measures, we’ve all had to think outside the box about how we spend our free time.

If this is something you are still struggling with, perhaps some of the options below will come in handy as you look to pass the time.

Test your grey matter with a quiz

One of the most extraordinary trends to come out of the pandemic’s immediate aftermath was how quick families were to embrace Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video tech online. For context, Zoom’s net profit for the first quarter of 2020 was 3,300% higher than it was the year before!

They helped people stay in touch and increased the range of options as far as entertainment is concerned.

Suddenly, millions were getting involved in online quizzes, taking on their friends, family, and work colleagues for personal pride and even prizes.

Quizzing is a fun way to pass the time, and the great thing is that – since the boom in popularity – you can simply download ready-made quiz questions on a range of categories at the click of the button.

Then all you have to do is set up your video call and let the battle of the brains begin.

Sit back and tune in to a new podcast

Whether you want to be entertained, amazed, or educated, there is a podcast out there for everyone.

The beauty of the increase in popularity of podcasts is that the quality of the ‘product’ has improved exponentially – no more is it just two people talking in a garden shed, let down by tech gremlins and poor sound quality.

Whether you want to opt for a free podcast service or a paid option, there are thousands of choices out there that you can download to your smartphone or tablet – this truly is the golden age for the podcasting generation.

Dust off your controller and play some video games

As you may know, both PlayStation and Xbox have announced their next-generation consoles for late 2020. The great news is that it will force down the price of the PS4 and Xbox One.

So this is a fantastic time to indulge in a hobby that you may have been missing out on since your younger days, or if you are already a gamer, then you can ‘level up’ soon.

Online gaming has never been better. Whether you are playing with friends or strangers, there is a fantastic community of gamers out there that you can join if you ever feel like you could do with some interaction during an enforced or voluntary lockdown.

The quality of mobile games is also incredible these days, with graphics and gameplay that put some old consoles to shame. The various app stores are jam-packed with the latest releases and the all-time classics.

And there’s another way to let the games begin as well. Online casino games are getting better all the time with immersive gameplay and the kind of graphics you would expect on your HD devices. These are also enjoying a boom in Pennsylvania and across the US, thanks in part to the PA online casino no deposit bonus codes that let you try out a gaming site before making any financial commitment.

Get together with your own’ club night’

One of the main issues with being in a ‘lockdown’ is the lack of social freedom that we can enjoy.

Gone – for now, at least – are the days when we could meet up in a big group and head out for dinner and drinks or hit the cinema for the latest blockbuster release.

And so we have to socialize at home, but as mentioned, thanks to Zoom and other video calling systems, that can be a breeze.

You could host a virtual dinner party, start up your own book club, or even set up a beer/wine/food tasting evening – there are many companies out there who can supply the essentials you will need delivered right to your door.

There’s no party like a Netflix party

Combine Netflix and Zoom, and what have you got: your very own home movie premiere!

You can still enjoy great movies and TV shows with loved ones by watching along together and share those moments of laughter, drama, or sheer horror in unison … just like the good old days.

Of course, you’ll have to supply your own popcorn.