OKLAHOMA CITY – In any normal year, many families would be planning a quick trip to relax during fall break. This year hasn’t had many breaks. Let alone the chance to travel to a carefree destination. That does not mean you can’t take a break from the stress of school, the pandemic and all the other world events this fall. There are a number of activities you and your family can do in order to have a fun fall without traveling.
And that’s why I’m writing this.
Though covid-19 has made life much more difficult this year, students can all still have a great fall break even with minimal traveling. So here are some of the top suggestions to keep yourself safe and, at the same time, have a great break.:
1. Build your own outdoor movie theater.
This is simple. All you need is:
1 A projector and extension cord
2 A sturdy slab of cardboard and a white sheet
3 A computer and an HDMI cable.
4 Internet access
5 Comfortable seats, and snacks.
How to build:
1 Set the projector up on a small table or other flat surface outside, and plug it in with the extension cord.
2 Use thumbtacks to pin the sheet to the cardboard, and Set against a fence
3 connect the computer to the projector with an HDMI cable.
4 if you don’t have internet access in the backyard you’re going to need to download the video.
5 Set up some chairs
This is a really cool idea, and can be done anywhere and almost anytime. Hundreds may have used this idea and loved it, so give it a shot!
2. Build an outdoor kids playhouse.
Use cardboard boxes and make a playhouse. This is a really awesome idea for people who like building stuff, being outdoors and who have siblings. If a temporary playhouse is okay, then you can use large boxes and cut windows and doors. It’s also good for people who like to relax on a fall morning.
3. Make up your own game show and play with friends or family.
Now this one gets really funny, especially if you make one called “Who wants to be a millionaire’s butler?” or maybe one where you have to find a doughnut hidden somewhere in the house.
4. Binge read your favorite book series.
If you don’t have one, get one! Just pick one at total random. Personally, I would recommend the Hobbit / Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia, or Crispin: The Cross of Lead. These are some of my favorites. However, don’t overdo it. I did that one and found myself reading the last Crispin book at 3 a.m.
6. Play your favorite board or card game.
Board games are the best. Here are some suggestions: Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Monopoly, The Game of Life, Apples to Apples, and Uno.
7. Write handwritten letters.
This one kind of speaks for itself. Get a friend or relatives address first. Make sure you double check. Then triple check. You can never check it too many times. Nobody wants to send a letter to the wrong address. You’ll also need envelopes and stamps.
8. Make a dessert or other food you haven’t made in a really long time.
This one is pretty cool. Try making cheesecake. It’s really good with strawberries, And try decorating it. Maybe like a fancy design where you put a pattern around the base. Or you could make some muffins that you haven’t made in a long time.
9. Take a picnic to a park near your house.
You really ought to try Myriad Gardens park in downtown OKC or Scissortail park. Currently, the best place to picnic would be the Devon Lawn right next to the Devon Tower. It’s an awesome place to play football too.
10. Have a “Kids make dinner” night.
Try learning to cook hamburgers. It’s always better when you toast the hamburger buns. Of course, you could always make frozen pizza instead. Also try keeping a journal during fall break. It’s always a great idea to keep a journal.
So if you want to have a really fun break, give these suggestions a try! And whatever you do, don’t read until 3 AM.
*Featured photo by ENN’s Vanessa Williams.
