Where were you planning to go this Spring Break?  

The coronavirus will all but halt travel during this year’s Spring Break. With the Coronavirus being officially called a pandemic on March 11th, many students’ plans will be affected by the virus. Learn more about the Coronavirus here.

Having a staycation because plans for Spring Break have been affected by the virus isn’t the worst thing in the world. 

Here are some tips on what to do at home:

1. Plan your staycation like a real vacation. Without planning what to do for most of your staycation, your staycation could easily turn into a normal weekend routine of going on your phone and laying about. 
2. Take a hike or a walk. This activity can easily be done locally because of how many locations there are to hike around Rhinebeck. One hike that my family frequently enjoys is a waterfall destination named Kaaterskill Falls located in Elka Park, New York. This trail is best used from April to October and allows dogs.To learn more about this hike click here. 
3. Do a room refresh. Changing your room layout can make it feel like you are in a new place without actually having to go anywhere. Cleaning and decluttering your room can make your home feel like a luxury hotel for your staycation. If you finish your room try sprucing up the whole house. 
4. Buy yourself something nice. Like a souvenir on a regular vacation, buying something on a staycation can make you remember how much fun you had doing a certain thing. Even buying a mug to use throughout your staycation can give you that real vacation feeling. Have fun browsing online to find the perfect staycation souvenir.  Our local bookstore Oblong Books ships free!
5. Learn something new. If you have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar why not try it out during your staycation? Dedicate your time indoors to cultivating new hobbies.

Here are some hobbies to try out inside:

• Making friendship bracelets. There are many youtube videos on this topic just browse online and find one you like.
• Learning a musical instrument 
• Painting or coloring.It’s very relaxing to do this hobby and rewarding once you complete your painting or coloring page. 
• Baking or cooking. Make anything that you like from a recipe in a book or online 
• Origami. This is a hobby I have tried before. Finally completing a folded paper animal is very rewarding. Youtube videos are great for helping you learn origami because you can slow down the video clip.
• Completing puzzles. 
• Playing chess. Grab a friend or a sibling and commerce battle. Chess can also be played digitally with a computer or a friend that can’t meet up in real life.
• Learning a new language. I recommend the app Duolingo for learning your new language. 
• Scrapbooking. Print out photos that you like and arrange them in a scrapbook along with other things from a trip or a day outside like a ticket or a dried flower. 
• Knitting or crocheting.  If you are new to knitting or crocheting take it slow; if you slip up it’s ok to just try again. Knitting can be done while watching your favorite tv show so that’s a plus.
•  Journaling.  This is an historic time—what will your future self want to know about your experiences?

Share your staycation experiences with Rhinebeck Reality!  We want to here from you!

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