There’s little doubt that the novel coronavirus has thrown a wrench in your family’s plans for the summer. Whether your daughter’s day camp has been canceled or you’ve had to postpone your big vacation until next year, it’s not easy to deal with the disappointment we all feel brought on by the pandemic.
But not all is lost. Although it’s important to continue staying home when possible, wearing masks when in public, and practicing social distancing measures, there are still plenty of activities in which your family can participate this season. Outdoor activities tend to be a bit safer than those that take place indoors, but you’ll still need to be discerning when making your summertime selections. Here are three ideas to get you started that are both highly enjoyable and relatively low-risk for coronavirus transmission.
Fishing and Swimming
Enjoying time in and around the water is a time-honored summer tradition — but you’ll need to exercise some caution. Although 3.75 million people participated in sailing during 2018, it might be better to stay away from crowded beaches and rented boats this summer to reduce your family’s risk. But if you have access to a relatively private lake house or body of water and will be using a marine craft you own (whether it be a canoe, kayak, or party boat), this is a relatively safe activity (provided you don’t invite your neighbors aboard for the ride). Looking for fishing guides Smith Mountain Lake? Call Pullin Drag Striper Guide Service. If you do not have access to a private lake house, you can always consider Delaware river canoeing. Fishing is also a good activity, as long as you’re able to keep your distance from others like through a fishing charter. So if you need a private charter that includes fishing rods and reels, bait, tackle and private fishing licenses, then you may consider this private fishing charter.
The act of swimming itself is fairly safe too, as it’s thought that COVID-19 can’t be transmitted via water; it’s more about how many people are in the area. A private pool is certainly a better option — even if it’s an inflatable one! — than a shared pool or public lakefront. If you don’t have access to a pool, backyard sprinklers and water balloon fights can make for welcome substitutes on a steamy day.
Fruit Picking and Gardening
Many families have already created their own “victory gardens” — a concept that can be traced back to World Wars I and II — for the pandemic. It makes a lot of sense, as growing your own food can save money, reduce the amount of necessary grocery store trips, and support the environment as a whole. Gardening, whether it involves veggies or flowers, can also be a great activity for children. Not only will they get the satisfaction of enjoying the literal fruits of their labor, but they’ll also learn a sense of responsibility and may show an interest in nature and the growing cycle.
Visiting farmers’ markets can be a decently safe activity if you go early enough to beat the crowds. This can allow you to financially support local farms and even save money on your grocery bill. You might also look into fruit-picking, as this can be a highly enjoyable activity for participants both young and old. U-pick farms have implemented guidelines for customers, such as wearing masks, staying at least six feet apart, and providing take-home containers for berries, cherries, and stone fruit to minimize shared contact. Not only do kids love picking, but bringing home freshly picked fruit can encourage them to follow a healthy diet. Blueberries, for example, contain a 21080 ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value for every 100 milligrams of fruit, making them rich with antioxidants and vitamins that can boost immunity.
Backyard Camping and Games
Ultimately, staying in your backyard is one of the safest things you can do this summer (as long as you aren’t inviting anyone outside your household to join). A new deck, patio, or pergola can increase the value of your home and your enjoyment of it, but you don’t necessarily need to add a structure onto your property in order to take full advantage of your yard.
If you have the space and the equipment, camping out in your backyard can make for a great evening with your kids. You can pitch the tent, make a fire, and cook over the flames. Be sure to bring sleeping bags and supplies for s’mores! Even spending the evening under the stars can be a lot of fun. If your family would rather sleep in comfort, why not set up the backyard as game central during the day? You can put together a scavenger hunt, play soccer or volleyball, host a potato sack race, or collect rocks to paint. You can even put together a picnic lunch to enjoy outside on a big blanket. If you’re short on green space, get some sidewalk chalk to decorate the driveway or have a hula-hooping contest on the front lawn before enjoying a popsicle on the stoop.
While it might seem like COVID-19 has placed a lot of limits on what we’re able to do this summer, the only real restriction is your own imagination. By getting a little creative with what you already have and taking the proper precautions, your family will get to enjoy a number of summertime activities while staying safe.
