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At the start of the pandemic, we all tried to keep ourselves occupied with a random assortment of activities from bread making to learning TikTok dances and keeping up with the trends. But as summer rolled around we had the opportunity to spend some time outside and partake in some socially distant activities and outdoor dining. Now that fall is approaching again and the end of the pandemic is nowhere in sight, we’ll probably be spending more time indoors—but this time we’ll be prepared.
There are a ton of products you can buy to keep yourself busy that go beyond the typical board games and puzzles we all resorted to the first go around. From celebrity taught classes to picking up a new hobby, here are 10 things to keep you occupied indoors this fall.
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1. Online classes taught by celebrities
If you’re going to learn a new skill like gardening, acting, or interior design, you might as well learn it from the experts—or your favorite celebrity. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a private class, you can learn from the best on MasterClass. It offers virtual classes from famous celebrities on pretty much every topic, like cooking with Gordon Ramsay, basketball with Steph Curry, or acting with Natalie Portman. Our editor-in-chief has used MasterClass himself and says the classes are inspiring, interesting, and, most importantly, self-paced, so you can do them whenever you have free time.
Get an All-Access Pass from MasterClass for $15 per month
2. Software to help you learn a new language
Not sure about you, but being unable to travel has me dreaming of all the places I’m going to visit as soon as it’s possible. In the meantime, we can use this additional time to practice a new language so we’re not completely hopeless as soon as we arrive abroad. There are a few language softwares out there like Babbel and Rosetta Stone that are great to invest in if you want to learn a new language. Babble offers 14 different language courses, and when we tried it we liked how engaging the courses were and that you can opt for a month-to-month subscription. Rosetta Stone, on the other hand, has 24 languages to choose from but is slightly more expensive. But after using it, we loved that you can cater courses to what you’ll use the language most for (travel, work, basics) and that it gave an in-depth understanding. Either are great options, depending on your needs.
3. A Kindle to kick up your reading
I can’t talk enough about how my Kindle has saved me during quarantine. Seriously, I’ve read 50 books thus far this year, which is a personal record. Not only is the Kindle lighter than a physical book, but you can quickly download books to start reading ASAP. The Kindle Paperwhite is the best in its class for its superior e-ink display, massive storage, and the fact that it’s waterproof. But what’s really gotten me to read more is finding inexpensive ways to read books through Amazon Daily Deals on Kindle books and renting ebooks from my local library.
Get the Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon for $129.99
4. An app for a new workout program
As soon as quarantine started, I caved and bought an 8-week workout ebook from an influencer and it was great, but I’m going to want to try some new workouts as I switch to working inside again. After testing the most popular workout apps, we found that Nike Training Club was the best one out there. It has a ton of workouts for all different fitness levels at a variety of lengths, so you can smash out a quick workout if you want. The best part? It’s entirely free.
5. A true crime subscription box
True crime junkies who want to pass the time other than rewatching their favorite documentary should check out Hunt A Killer. It’s a cold case mystery game that comes as a monthly subscription box—a.k.a. it will keep you busy all fall long. Each box comes as a new “episode” that keeps you on your toes as you try to figure out who-dun-it. Our reviewer had a blast playing each episode with her boyfriend, found it challenging, and was looking forward to the box each month. You can opt for one-off boxes for $30 per month or $165 for a 6-month subscription, but trust us, you’re going to want the full season.
Get 6 episodes of Hunt A Killer for $165
6. A kit to actually finish a knitting project
At the beginning of quarantine, some people started to pick up knitting. But personally, I believe knitting is more of a fall activity as that’s when you’re thinking about all the scarves and sweaters you need. For beginner knitters, I highly recommend getting a We Are Knitters kit, which I tried and loved because it has everything you need to complete the project and how easy the directions were to follow. Darn Good Yarn also offers monthly yarn subscriptions that make it easy to expand your knitting skills.
7. An easy way to start brewing kombucha
Staying inside has us all trying some wacky hobbies—my favorite being brewing kombucha. It’s honestly pretty easy, especially if you purchase a kit that has everything you need to start off. I tried this one from The Kombucha Shop and have been using it for over two years. It’s more cost-effective than buying bottles of this fizzy drink and you can experiment with fun fall flavors like apple cinnamon or cranberry ginger.
Get The Kombucha Shop Kombucha Brewing Kit at Amazon for $44.99
8. A new gaming console for hours of fun
This spring, getting a Nintendo Switch was nearly impossible as pretty much every person wanted one. So for this next go around, you’re going to want to make sure you have your hands on one early. Also, keep your eye out for the new Xbox X Series and PlayStation 5, which are set to be released in November and will sell out fast.
Get the Nintendo Switch Lite in Gray at Target for $199.99
9. An especially challenging puzzle
Gray Malin is known for his incredible travel photography, and his prints have been turned into puzzles that are insanely hard. Why? It’s double-sided, so not only do you need to separate your edges from your middle, but you need to determine what side is going to work. Even though puzzles might be getting a little old, this twist will keep you at them for much longer and you’ll have another puzzle to do once you complete the first.
Get the Galison Gray Malin Italy Two-Sided Puzzle at Amazon for $24.99
10. A streaming device to make binge-watching easier
When in doubt, binge-watching the latest shows is always a good option. Plus, with so many streaming services to choose from (Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock), it feels like we have no other choice than to get a streaming device to properly watch them all. The Roku Ultra is the best streaming device we’ve ever tested because it’s compatible with most of the biggest streaming services and has an easy-to-use remote that you can control with your voice.
Get the Roku Ultra at Walmart for $89
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed.com: 10 things to keep you occupied indoors this fall
