Coronavirus: Fun things to do while social distancing, Memorial Day edition

More and more restrictions are being lifted and it’s Memorial Day weekend. So what can you do to still have fun but stay safe?

Here are some suggestions.

Hit the beach

Many beaches are open or will be open for business this holiday weekend just plan on hitting the road early because of space limitations. Also make sure you know the rules for where you’re heading before you leave your home.

Grill

First, if you don’t have one, hit the sales for a new grill, then fire it up.

Here are some tips from Chowhound to help have the best BBQ.

Hold a block dinner party

Bring a table out, and enjoy dinner with your neighbors, together but apart, the “Today” show suggested. You can also hold a virtual wine or beer tasting party.

Take a virtual tour

Visit the White House virtually.

Or pay your respects at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tour a National Park virtually and have your kids earn a virtual Junior Ranger Badge.

Watch a military movie

Good Housekeeping says a good way to spend the Memorial Day weekend is watching a movie or series like “Band of Brothers.” Just keep in mind, depending on the ages of those watching, the films and shows may be too intense for kids.

Monday, History will premier its miniseries “Grant” about General-turned-President Ulysses S. Grant. The cable channel also produced a similar series “Washington” looking at the life of George Washington.

Write letters to soldiers, sailors or Marines

Take part in a letter-writing campaign through SupportOurTroops.org or other groups and write a letter to a military member who is serving our country.

You can also put together a care package and ship it to someone on the front lines. Click here for more information on Operation Gratitude.

Watch the Memorial Day Concert

Normally the Memorial Day concert is held on the West Lawn of the Capitol, but due to the coronavirus, it will include performances that were recorded from across the country and will be hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise.

The Memorial Day concert will be broadcast on May 24 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS. Entertainers include Cynthia Erivo, Renée Fleming, Kelli O’Hara and Trace Adkins.

Fly a flag and have a moment of silence

Monday is the day we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. If you are able, you can put up a flag and at 3 p.m. local time, take part in The National Moment of Remembrance for at least one minute, Good Housekeeping suggested.

Have a campfire in the backyard

If you’re legally able to do so, either make or buy a fire pit and sit around the fire. Share family stories or ghost stories. Then make s’mores or toasted marshmallows.

You can even keep the gas grill off and cook over an open fire making foil pack meals or mountain pies (camping versions of Hot Pockets).

Camp in the backyard

If the weather cooperates take the campfire a step further, and you have the gear, string up a hammock, put up a tent and “rough it" from the safety of your own backyard. Click here for some ideas.

Have a backyard “drive-in”

Find a sheet, get a projector and let the movie light up the night after the sun goes down.

Click here for setup ideas that run the gamut from low tech to over the top when it comes to gear.

Play board, card games

Turn off the Switch, XBox, PS4, iPads and dig out one of the board games that are stashed in the hall closet. See if you can beat your family at Trivial Pursuit, or how about an epic game of Monopoly or Risk. There’s no need to play the short versions since we all have hours to kill.

Play some poker or Uno too.

Write, journal

The COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of people saying we’re living in an unprecedented time. Write about it. Or if you always wanted to write a book, start writing, Psychology Today suggested.

Go for a walk, get outside

You can leave your homes in most cases, just practice social distancing. if you’re not under curfew or shelter-in-place orders. Doctors say fresh air and exercise are good for not only your physical health but also mental health, USA Today reported. You can walk around your neighborhood if you live in the suburbs, go to a park, go hiking or go jogging. Just make sure you know where and when you can go when it comes to the state laws and COVID-19 restrictions.

One place you should avoid is a playground. If you do end up on a playground, make sure you wash your hands and don’t touch your face, USA Today reported.

Smartphone data can reveal which Americans are practicing social distancing during COVID-19 Smartphone data can reveal which Americans are practicing social distancing during COVID-19