Author: Uncover

By Radka Hostašová

Early summer days feel even better when you know there’s a bank holiday weekend approaching. The Platinum Jubilee bank holiday falls on Thursday the 2nd and Friday the 3rd of June, with the first weekend of June stretching over 4 days. On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s 70th anniversary as monarch, the whole country is bustling with different kinds of events devoted to celebrating the service of Her Majesty and the Royal family. In today’s feature, we are bringing you a selection of events celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in Liverpool. 

1. Beacons of Light

Lighting beacons is a traditional event held in honour of the Queen and special anniversaries of the Royal family. For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, seven beacons will be lit up on the evening of Thursday the 2nd of June in front of Three Graces in Liverpool. Each beacon signifies a decade of the Queen’s commitment. Beacons will be lit in each capital city of the Commonwealth nations. In Liverpool, the public can attend the lighting which also includes musical performances by Pipe Major James Axon and the Liverpool Scottish Regional Association band. The activities start from 9.15pm, building up to the lighting at 9.45pm.

2 .Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux

Liverpool has a bit of a reputation for amazing food and drink from around the world and in the collaboration with the city’s hospitality venues and the Bordeaux Wine Council and French Government, Liverpool will mark the Platinum Jubilee with the Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux festival.

The french-infused festival runs from the 2nd – 5th of June and consists of 4 main pillars; Bordeaux wine tasting at Liverpool Town Hall, special festive menus paired with Bordeaux wine created by over 50 local restaurants, chefs demos at the Bombed Out Church and a local producers’s market. The programme offers a wonderful gourmet experience to visitors and highlights the gems of worldwide cuisines. The central hubs of the festival will be situated around Castle Street, Hope Street and Bold Street, all famous for their outstanding restaurants and bars. The tickets for the Bordeaux wine tasting are now on sale, however, the rest of the events are free to attend. 

3. Afternoon Tea

There is no way the Platinum Jubilee celebration could happen without a proper afternoon tea. Therefore, a variety of fine Liverpool restaurants including Panoramic 34, Oh Me Oh My or Malmaison Liverpool will be celebrating by offering a unique tea party experience. Alongside tea and a selection of sweet and savoury snacks, diners can also enjoy special jubilee cocktails accompanied by a picturesque view on the restaurant’s rooftop terraces. 

4. Platinum Jubilee Concert At The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Moving from foodie activities to a cultural experiences, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic has scheduled a classical concert celebrating glorious British musicians and composers of past and present. The Platinum Jubilee concert takes place on the 31st of May and introduces the music written by great English composers, such as Frank Bridge or Vaughan Williams. Led by the Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze, the classical tunes will be performed by solo cellist Nicolas Alstaedt.

5. Cheshire Fest

And finally, another way to fill the bank holiday weekend with music and entertainment is paying a visit to the 2022 edition of the Cheshire Fest. Situated in the beautiful green Cheshire countryside, this year’s festival will take place in a new location of The Lambing Shed, Moseley Hall Farm in Knutsford. Visitors can expect a multi-genre lineup featuring both local and national outstanding artists. Legendary Liverpool band The Zutons will headline the festival on Saturday 4th June. Aside from the live music, on Friday 3rd June Cheshire Craft Beer Fest takes over the event for one day serving the finest ales and lagers.

Liverpool is bursting with awesome outdoor spaces, each with its own unique charm and allure. Whether you’re looking for a new spot to relax or you want to explore the city’s natural beauty, there’s plenty of choice with these outdoor escapes in the Liverpool city region.

From the striking Antony Gormley sculptures at Crosby Beach to the historic and picturesque Port Sunlight Village, there’s something for everyone. This guide highlights ten of the best parks and outdoor spaces in the Liverpool city region, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a family day out, or simply enjoying the stunning landscapes and fresh air.

Another Place at Crosby Beach

Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ sculptures in Crosby are well worth a visit. The 100 life-size ‘Iron Men’ make an impressive spectacle along the coastline. Behind the beach, Crosby Marina is also great for cycle trails and walks.

Sefton Park

Visiting Liverpool’s Sefton Park is perfect for a day out. The park features several ornamental lakes and acres of lawn to stretch out on. Sefton Park also has a large kids play area and tennis courts to keep the whole family busy.

Pier Head

When the sun is out, the setting and views at the Pier Head are one of the best ways to escape the city for an hour, looking out over the Mersey to Wirral.

The Wirral Way

The Wirral Way is a footpath/cycle route running through the Wirral peninsula. The 10-mile length of countryside has magnificent views over to the hills of North Wales. The route also covers the shingly beach at Thurstaston, and the National Trust-managed Heswall Meadows.

Port Sunlight Village

Port Sunlight is one of Britain’s best examples of a ‘model village’. Built by William Hesketh Lever to house workers at his Sunlight soap factory, the Arts and crafts-inspired garden community is set in 130 acres of beautiful grounds, complete with a sunken park called the Dell.

Calderstones Park

Calderstones Park is a beautiful and unique setting. The park is named after and home to ancient megaliths that are said to be older than Stonehenge. It is also home to the Allerton Oak, a tree thought to be more than 1000 years old. The park also features the Harthill Botanical Gardens, as well as a lake, and the Mansion House, which includes a café and child-friendly play area.

Chavasse Park

Chavasse Park has five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with winding paths and peaceful spots to get away from the noise of the city centre. The park is situated on the Leisure Level of Liverpool ONE and has stunning views of the waterfront.

Everton Brow

Everton Brow is a fantastic vantage point and offers some of the best views in the city. It’s perfect for a family visit this summer. If you time your trip for sunset, you’ll be rewarded by the spectacular views of the Mersey Bay.

St James’ Gardens

Head into St James’ Gardens and admire the views of the Anglican Cathedral. The Grade I-listed park, once a cemetery, feels very calming and is an ideal break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The historic Georgian Quarter above the gardens is also well worth exploring.

Otterspool Park

A wonderful place to relax and enjoy a picnic with family and friends, you can also take a stroll along the waterfront with the River Mersey on one side and woodland on the other. Otterspool Park is a perfect spot for bird and wildlife watching.

Keeping active is proven to have physical and mental health benefits, so staying as active as possible while in quarantine can really help us deal with this challenging situation.

Below are a few ideas. Please note that if you are ill, experiencing any symptoms, or have an injury, you should not exercise. Seek medical advice if you are not sure.

Walking the Dog

Yes, we need to spend as much time at home as possible – but our furry friends still need time outside, and walking the dog is a great way to get fresh air, exercise and just get some quiet time to reflect.

Just remember to maintain social distancing while out and about, and keep your dog on their lead to stop them approaching others.

Running / Jogging

If you have never been a jogger but have always wanted to try – this is as good a time as any. You can take it at your own pace, building up from slow and steady to a little faster, and enjoy the rewarding feeling that comes with getting faster.

Just make sure to be safe and maintain social distancing!

Cycling

Cycling is great exercise, and if you’re new to it going out now while roads are quieter might be a perfect way to start. If you are commuting to work, going via bike is also a fantastic way to maintain social distancing by avoiding public transport.

If you are planning to go out on your bike, make sure it’s correctly fitted to your height and the tyres are in good condition. And don’t forget to always, always wear a helmet and install lights and reflectors. Visibility is safety!

Yoga

Yoga is the perfect indoor exercise as it requires little space and little equipment – all you need is a bit of floor and a yoga mat, which are readily available online.

If you have never done yoga before and aren’t sure where to start, there are hundreds of YouTube tutorials, apps (both free and paid) and other online resources where beginners can get to grips with it.

One thing to be aware of is that different styles of yoga are suited to different ages and abilities, so be sure you know what you’re getting into to avoid injury.

Step Climbing

You don’t need an aerobics class to get stepping! If you have stairs in your home or block of flats, running or walking up and down them a few times every day is fantastic exercise and a great way to get your recommended daily steps in.

You can also make use of public stairs in parks or open spaces, but be sure to maintain social distancing if you do.

Weights

Most of us won’t be able to recreate the weightlifting area of our local gym at home, but if you have space for smaller hand weights and/or kettle bells you can get in a good workout. As with yoga, there are plenty of online workouts that use these smaller weights and they’re reasonably cheap to buy online.

The Internet is an excellent resource for creativity and learning, hosting many online courses to get you through lockdown.

There’s a wide range of classes to explore, from drawing to Origami, and they can all be done from home while you stay safe.

A number of classes are also free and offer helpful advice for beginners.

Drawing Classes

From life drawing classes to pandemic cartoons, drawing is the perfect solution for getting creative in our current quarantine. You’ll find plenty of tutorials online, YouTube is a good place to start.

There are also many beginners’ classes and extra help for people new to drawing.

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Origami

There are a range of resources online to learn this ancient Japanese art of paper folding. Origami is a relaxing and low cost way of learning something new at home. You can encourage the whole family to join in and help too.

You’ll soon be able to make your own unique paper creations!

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Music

Dust off your old skills or pick up something new with online music tutorials. There are classes ranging from drums to piano and many are free.

Interactive classes for all skill levels are available and they cater for most styles of music.

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Crafting

There is a wide range of crafts to explore at home, from sewing and knitting to crotchet and quilting. You could try your hand at making gifts for relatives or friends.

Crafting can be cheap and fun for the whole family too!

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Tai Chi

Tai Chi is the Chinese martial art practiced for defence training, health benefits and meditation. The exercise can also be a great help for mental wellbeing and creativity.

The martial art is an ideal way to escape everyday stresses and strains, plus it’s only a light and easy form of exercise.

https://www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com/tai-chi

Dance

From disco to Latin tutorials, keep active during lockdown with online dance classes. Find some music to move to or you could try a full dance programme. You can also get creative and develop your own routines.

YouTube is great for finding free dance and exercise resources.

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Meditation

Learn how to cope with anxiety and your feelings with meditation classes. You can learn to live with your feelings through meditation and focus on creativity.

The ability to meditate is a valuable tool in combating negative thoughts and particularly useful during this difficult time.

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Planting

Gardening classes can help you to explore nature and the outdoors. You can do this without an actual garden and grow plants on window ledges or outside your front door.

It’s rewarding to nurture the plants and they will give you an ongoing interest.

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Creative writing
Try your hand at writing, this could be fiction or writing for children. There are a host of classes for beginners and writing short stories is a good way to start.

Writing can be an excellent way to express your thoughts and feelings during the pandemic.

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Singing

Singing is free and makes you feel good so it’s an ideal time to try out some vocal classes. Using your singing voice releases endorphins and is very effective as a stress reliever.

You might even discover an untapped talent that leads to a career on the stage!

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Making time for yourself at the moment can be a challenge – lockdown is difficult and keeping up with the daily news can be hard.

Here are a few thoughts on how to practice self-care, from exercise and diet to reading and sleep. If you don’t feel up to doing anything, that’s fine – everyone is different and needs different things. These are just a few ideas.

Exercise

Getting moving is easier said than done, but it can significantly boost your mood.

Exercising at home can be simple and there are options for most ages and abilities, including yoga videos or cardio workouts online.

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Keep up your routine

It’s easy to slip into the habit of sleeping late, spending all day in your pyjamas and snacking, but looking after yourself is essential. Simple tasks can feel difficult but dressing and planning the day can make a big difference to the way you feel. Try and establish a daily routine that suits you.

If you don’t feel up to doing anything, though, that’s fine. It’s important to be kind to yourself and recognise when you need a break.

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Set up friendship groups

Set up a friendship group with family or friends and regularly check in with each other, either online or by phone. That way, you can offer support or reach out to others if you need to.

Even just sending daily updates can help you feel more connected during this time.

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Write or craft

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help offload any worries and fears you may have. It’s also important to try to keep busy, going for a daily walk or learning a new skill.

There are plenty of activities you can take up at home, including crafts, painting, reading, cooking and baking.

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Sleep.

An early night is a good night! Try to avoid staying up till the early hours and get plenty of sleep. Before bedtime allow yourself to fully wind down and establish a regular nightly routine.

It’s best to keep occupied for part of your day if possible, exercise or activities are ideal. Keeping busy should help your evening sleep patterns.

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Read books

Reading can be very calming. It’s good to avoid just following the news or social media and dip into a book. Books that have nothing to do with the current situation, fiction or nonfiction, can be an excellent way of lifting your mood.

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Listen to music
Music can help change your mood and is great for a bit of escapism. There are plenty of free ways to listen to music from Spotify to YouTube. You could try experimenting and listen to new genres of music.

Even better, you could make your own music at home.

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Being on lockdown doesn’t have to be boring! Keep yourself occupied and creative with these inspiring tips.

From learning a language to singing exercises, making a photo album to writing a novel, there are plenty of creative ideas you can explore to pass the time. But remember – look after yourself, and don’t push yourself to be productive if you don’t feel like it.

Singing exercises

Make some noise during lockdown and try some singing exercises. Work on your breathing and other vocal techniques before letting your hair down with some top tunes.

Breathing work can also help to combat anxiety. There are many resources online to show you how to get started!

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Growing plants

Now is the perfect time for planting! Whether it’s on the windowsill or in the garden, it’s an ideal opportunity to grow some plants and flowers. They’ll help to brighten the home and add some colour.

Planting will give you a new ongoing project too, as you nurture and monitor their progress.

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Write a book, or short stories

Writing can be an excellent release and a chance to express your emotions – plus it’s free! You don’t have to attempt the next great novel: short stories are an ideal way to start your writing and explore new ideas.

There are many websites with tips for writing and plenty of inspiration for bookworms!

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Start a blog

A blog can be a fun way to share your experiences and feelings during lockdown. You could use it as an online writing portfolio, a space to share your passions or as an opportunity to try something new.

You can also create the look and style of the blog. It’s a perfect time to get those creative juices flowing.

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Learn a new language

With a wide selection of YouTube videos and online tutorials at your disposal, you could use this time to learn a completely new language.

These resources are often free and have specific classes for language beginners.

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Cookery

Try making new and varied dishes at home and get creative in the kitchen. You could find inspiration in food you’ve eaten at restaurants or items you see in supermarkets.

You can bring innovation into your cooking techniques, try improvising and working with different styles of cuisine.

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Reading

Reading a book can be immensely inspiring and help kickstart your creativity. It’s good to get away from the computer screen and make time to read.

Take advantage of the free time in lockdown and try a genre you haven’t read before.

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Write a letter

Try writing to family or friends. It’s a nice way to stay in touch and express your feelings. It doesn’t need to be complicated. The important thing is you are thinking about them in your letter.

Buy some nice paper and catch up with a friend or family member you haven’t seen in lockdown. It’ll make their day!

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Make a photo album/back up your phone pictures

Ensure that your memories are treasured, by taking the time to compile a photo album or scrapbook. You can make a back-up of photos on your phone to ensure you don’t lose them.

The photo album will be a lovely keepsake and one you can keep adding to over time.

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Creative DIY

Take the time to tackle some interior improvements, painting your walls, upholstering old furniture or rearranging a room.

It’s a great opportunity to think of new ways that can revitalise your home décor.

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From bird watching and planting seeds to letter writing and making your own family tree, there’s a range of fun ideas to try with the kids at home.

Best of all, these activities are easy to set up and won’t break the bank! Stay safe at home with these tips and ideas for getting creative with the family.

Planting seeds

Kids love to see things develop and nurture them. Growing is possible for anyone, even for those without a garden. You can grow seeds on the windowsill at home.

Planting seeds in soil is a fun activity in itself but it will also give you a long-term project, that will last even after this period is over. It also gives children a sense of responsibility over the coming weeks, as they make sure the plants receive all the attention they need to survive.

Choose fast-growing plants such as sunflowers, so the children can watch them grow.

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Create your own board game

Using vintage board games for inspiration, try making your own handmade game. Monopoly is simple to make and easy for kids to personalise.
Use the back of an old cereal box and some felt tips to create a board. You can include local places and streets in your game, as well as creating your own customised mascots and game cards.

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Make a bird feeder

Encourage the kids to learn more about nature by making a bird feeder. It’s an ideal time for watching birds feed outside, especially as the environment is so quiet.

You can make your own bird feeder using just a four-pint milk bottle. Felt tips are all you need to colour the plastic, but you can also use sticking paper, feathers and other accessories to make the feeder more attractive.

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Find creative online resources

Use sharing resources like Twinkl and BBC Bitesize to educate and entertain children. BBC Bitesize helps kids learn with free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes.

There are also entrepreneurs like Joe Wicks, holding family exercise classes online, as well as artists and designers sharing resources.

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Bug hunt

Creepy crawlies can be fascinating and entertaining for kids. If you’ve got a bug lover then they’ll love getting outside to find some snails, slugs and any other creatures hanging around.

Encourage children to identify each of their discoveries, you can discuss your findings together and research more information online.

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Making rainbows

Get creative with the Coronavirus rainbow theme. Families have been busy painting and drawing them as a display of togetherness and to give children something to spot while out on their walks.

To make your rainbow, you don’t have to stop at paint or crayons – you can make an amazing rainbow using cardboard and scrunched up crepe paper.

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Stargazing

There are plenty of apps available for iPhones and Android devices to help you identify planets, stars and constellations on a clear night.

Take the children outside before bedtime and see if they can identify objects in the night sky. You can encourage them to research their findings later online.

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Letter writing

Rediscover the lost art of letter writing. Writing can be fun, as children learn how to compose a letter and get some extra handwriting practice. Letters can also be valuable keepsakes for kids to treasure.

You could write to relatives or friends. It’s an ideal way to keep in touch during lockdown.

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Chalk drawing

Get creative with chalk drawing on the path or patio at home, it’s great fun and easy to wash off! Use shop-bought or homemade chalk – made of corn flour, water and food colouring, to create temporary art.

Children can draw their favourite TV characters, family portraits or create their own designs.

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Create a family tree

Start your family tree project by showing your child photos of your own parents and grandparents. This is a great, visual way to get them engaged. You can include your child’s name and photo at the bottom of a family tree chart and build the story from there.

Making a family tree is an ideal way for kids to feel more connected, especially at a time when it’s difficult to see relatives.

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This isn’t the 2020 we were hoping for, we can all agree, but as humans our survival tactics mean we have to look for the positives. All this time at home starts getting to us after a while, so it’s crucial that we keep busy and build routine. Grace Stokoe thinks of some easy and productive tasks to get you through your self-isolation feeling accomplished.

 

Declutter and Reorganise

You’ll be surprised at how much your surroundings can impact your mental state. They say a clean environment is the key to a clear mind, so while you’re stuck in the house, why not turn it into a calming zone?

Once you’ve decluttered your belongings, decide what you’re going to donate and what you’re going to sell. If you’re not into Ebay, try Depop – a much trendier alternative which is easy to navigate.

Lastly, take a look at your devices. The same rules apply for your emails, phone and laptop files, so delete any unwanted documents and organise the rest into folders.

Learn to Cook (and Get Meal-Prepping!)

Whether you’re a student living on Pot Noodles, or a gourmet chef wanting to try out something new, now’s your chance to get creative in the kitchen. There are recipes for everything all over the internet, as well as follow-along videos on Youtube, so no more excuses. Cook a large batch and freeze excess portions for the week ahead, because there’s nothing that makes you feel like you have your life together more than a meal-prepping session.

Food writer Jack Monroe has great recipes for cooking on a budget.

Learn a Craft or Hobby

Most of us have thought about picking up a new skill from time to time, but we rarely get around to it. Maybe you’d like to make a crochet blanket or impress your loved ones by learning how to juggle or play guitar? You could start a blog, upcycle your old clothes, get into yoga or study a new language; the list goes on.

For online classes on just about everything, you can sign up to www.SkillShare.com free for two months. Or, again, have a look on Youtube for free DIY videos.

Scrapbook old Photographs, Tickets and More

If you’re someone who likes to keep a record of your memories (minus the chaos of a drawer filled with festival bands), this is the perfect idea. Pick out your favourite childhood pictures, old gig tickets, the brochure from a trip you went on, or anything that makes you feel nostalgic and just plain happy. This is super therapeutic and can even be done whilst watching TV – bonus!

Paperchase are renowned for selling beautiful books and stationery if you’re looking to treat yourself, but you can always get a cheap and cheerful version from Amazon or Ebay.

Make a List of Eco-Friendly Changes

…and implement wherever possible (you’re not going to need your reusable coffee cup just yet). We’re at the point where it’s vital to reduce our carbon footprint, so use your time to reflect on the small changes you can put into place to make a big difference. This could include swapping out your wet wipes for a muslin cloth, buying bamboo cotton buds instead of plastic ones, or replacing Google with Ecosia: the search engine that plants trees.

If you’re looking for a sustainable company that won’t rip you off, check out www.ThePlasticFreeShop.co.uk for all the eco-friendly products you could ever need.

Manage your Finances

You don’t have to spend hours creating the perfect Excel budgeting spreadsheet. This could mean breaking down your monthly income using the Notes section on your phone or just setting up a savings account with online banking. If you’re a sucker for a sale, maybe unsubscribe from all the marketing emails in your inbox – if you weren’t searching for it in the first place, do you really need to buy it?

By switching to Monzo or Starling Bank, you can allow them to round up each purchase to the nearest pound and save it, building up a nice little money pot without even noticing. It only takes five minutes to sign up.

Reinvent your Home Workouts

Motivating yourself to exercise at home (or at all) can be difficult, but if you’re doing the same routine every day, you’re bound to get bored. Whether you decide to invest in a personalised plan from an online PT or follow Instagram Live streams by your favourite fitness influencer, it’s sure to mix things up a bit. We love Marbelo on Instagram.

If you’re still stuck for inspiration, ask your friends and family what their favourite moves are and put them into a routine, no matter how brutal they may be!

Fix your Stuff

In this consumer-driven society, everyone is so quick to bin their broken things and head out to the shops. However, this lockdown is teaching us to slow down and think about what is essential, and with such a lack of certainty it’s more important than ever for us to hold onto our pennies.

Get gluing, drilling, sewing, or whatever you have to do to make things good as new.

Revamp your Playlists

Anybody who claims they don’t get stuck listening to the same five songs on repeat is a liar, but not anymore. Allow yourself to fall down the internet’s musical rabbit hole and find some new tunes to spice up your playlists.

Why not check out some podcasts while you’re at it? The Guilty Feminist, TED Talks Daily and Off the Menu to name a few, or Novara Media if you’re searching for information on current affairs.

Start or Improve your LinkedIn Profile and Grow your Network

LinkedIn is the key to success these days and a decent profile can really improve your chances of building a career. Take a smart and sophisticated profile picture, write up an impressive bio and build up your network with talented professionals who inspire you.

You never know, they might be looking for their next employee, so start planting those seeds and cementing your future employability!

Being stuck inside is never an ideal situation, but there are a host of ways to get the kids creating and using their imagination at home – from indoor treasure hunts and jewellery making, to composing your own songs and disco dance parties.

Here are ten creative ideas for some indoor family fun – cheap and easy ways to beat the lockdown boredom.

Indoor treasure hunt
From choosing and making the treasure to how you devise the hunt, an indoor treasure hunt is ideal for getting the kids to think creatively.

Draw a map and then hide various items around the house and get your little ones to hunt them down. They can then draw their own maps of the house, or a room, and hide an item which you have to find.

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Dress Up
Let the kids’ imaginations run wild playing dress up with old clothes and everyday objects.

Hunt out some old shoes, dresses, shirts, hats, jewellery, or sunglasses. Whatever you can find! This should help kick start some inventive role playing for the little ones.

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Indoor Theatre Show
Plan some home theatre and put on a show in your living room. Making costumes with children and deciding on their choice of show and music will get them thinking creatively.

The children can perform for the family and add to the show with their choice of props.

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Jewellery Making
Using everyday items from the home, try some jewellery making with the family. Kids can make bangles, necklaces and rings cheaply and easily. A touch of added sparkle with some glitter should add to the fun!

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Disco dance party
Have a disco party in your home and let the kids choose the music and disco decorations. They can also try making their own disco outfits and accessories.
This could include Zumba or yoga, there are a number of tutorials for both on YouTube. An excellent way to keep the family fit and healthy.

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Messy Play
Let the children explore without worrying about the mess. They can use aprons and the messy play element can be kept in bags. Younger children will love the sensory experience and the chance to rummage.

It’s a great way to let children of all ages express themselves. You can have fun with paints or even make life size drawings or collages.

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Get Creative with Food
Food can be an excellent way for children to explore their creativity. Prepare the food with the kids and let them create toppings and decorations for cakes and pizza. Baking in particular is a perfect activity for supervised young children.

You can also encourage your budding chefs to create their own dishes and menus.

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Build a Den
Children love to make dens, they provide hours of fun and an opportunity for role play. Fire-up their imaginations and build a den using cushions, blankets and chairs at home.

Make your very own indoor fort, boat or hideaway. Den building is ideal for children to create their own worlds and break the routine of staying indoors.

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Making Music with Homemade Instruments
Have fun making music with various items from around the house. From a pots and pans drum set to a rice shaker, let your imagination run riot!

You can also get creative writing songs, lyrics and melodies. It’s certain to get the children thinking and laughing and you can finish with a performance of the song.

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Arts and Crafts
Your little ones can have hours of crafty fun creating their own worlds, such as houses, boats and spaceships.
Revive some of those old Blue Peter tips and get creating from cardboard containers and toilet rolls. You can encourage kids to imagine what they want to build.

Paint the finished items and display them around the house.

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It’s Easter weekend! We might all be staying in for a while, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go out on dates! Whether you’re with a partner, friends or home alone – here are our picks for things to do this weekend for the perfect ‘date night’.

Go to the Theatre

London’s National Theatre is making their National Theatre Live programme available for free, to be watched from the safety of our own sofas. They’re adding a different show every Thursday, but they’ll all be available on YouTube for the foreseeable future. For now, you can either watch last week’s show ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ or this week’s offering ‘Jane Eyre’.

Visit the National Theatre on YouTube.

A little closer to home, the Theatre Royal in St Helens is live streaming performances of their Easter pantomime Rapunzel, starting this Sunday. Each cast member has recorded their own section of the pantomime at home and, through careful editing, the story is brought together to create a unique online pantomime that the whole family will enjoy.

Get more information here.

See a Concert

Culture Liverpool has teamed up with Bido Lito! for Friday Night Live, a series of bedroom gigs from some of the city’s best artists – curated by Bido Lito! and uploaded for free. All you need is a drink in a plastic glass and you’re good to go!

See the shows at the Culture Liverpool Facebook page.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic are also live-streaming concerts, twice a week for the duration of their closure. You can see their full complement of videos over on their Facebook page.

Go to the Cinema

Colectif Jeune Cinema, an experimental French film company, have made lots of their films available online for free.

Check them out here.

The Made in Liverpool Watch List is a list of films and TV made in Liverpool and where to watch them – compiled by Liverpool Film Office.

See the list.

Eat at a Restaurant (at home)

The Guide Liverpool have compiled an amazing list of all the local restaurants who are open for deliveries. Support local businesses and get an amazing meal (that you don’t have to cook) into the bargain!

See the whole list here.