Posted by
James Trenchard
Forget COVID-19 with these 10 amazing activities
It's about blinkin' time we all started to do some top activities to forget about COVID-19. At the beginning of 2020, things looked peachy, we were making plans for the year ahead and looking forward to those already planned. NOPE! Some flipping pandemic sprung up and put a world-sized spanner in the works! It's likely that you had plans cancelled and/or postponed and had to adapt to a different way of life, so we're here to show you that when something on this scale is over, we need to grab the awesome activity bull by the horns and ride off into the sunset.
If that all sounds a bit intense and you'd rather just speak to someone in the office, we're here to help and we will happily discuss with you on the phone, exactly what it is that you're looking for. If the intensity got your imagination going then fire up those synapses again and dive straight in for...
1 - Off Road Buggies
This is one of the absolute best activities full-stop, let alone to help you forget about the pandemic. There are various centres spread across the UK whereby you can have a go at thrashing some 4-wheel beasts around on tracks. If it's summer you'll also (realistically for the UK) get a good amount of mud to splatter at everyone. The buggies vary from centre-to-centre, but they're always enough of a handful to keep your eyes wired open and your mouth grinning with excitement.
We've got a whole article about the best bristol thrill seeker activities if you're still not quite sure.
- Drive away those COVID-19 thoughts -
2 - Canoeing and Bushcraft
As outdoor activities go, a canoeing and bushcraft trip just about tops it and what better way to forget all about COVID-19 than escaping to the countryside? These trips are available in a select few places throughout the UK, but you'll only be 2-3 hours away from one, no matter where you live in the UK. These trips are fantastic ways to explore the local countryside by water and/or foot. They are all slightly different in exactly what they offer; for example some are more wild and others use more 'set' campsites. Generally though, they are all aimed at learning some awesome skills such as basic bushcraft and survival whilst, being outside and breathing in lovely fresh air.
The trips can always be tailored to suit any group's requirements and it's a perfect escape for those looking to chill in the wilderness, with no stresses and no traffic.
Take a look at our article showcasing outdoor activities for any group if you're not quite ready to decide.
- Paddle to freedom from thoughts of COVID-19 -
3 - Murder Mystery
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it's most likely that you forgot what it was like to get out of the house and get dressed up for an occasion, so go nuts with a murder mystery evening. These are fantastic events, run exclusively for you and your group and give you the chance to get a bit creative and act like someone completely different for an evening. You'll see a different side to your friends and/or family as you are all suspects in an active murder case. A murder mystery can be run almost anywhere and are best with a 3-course meal alongside. You'll use the time between courses for your hosts (2 actors) to keep the plot flowing and by the end of the night, one of you will be FOUND OUT!
Murder mystery evenings are a real laugh and something you're not likely to forget in a hurry, hopefully meaning that COVID-19 will be pushed out of your brain!
If you'd like more information, just take a look at our murder mystery article for all you need to know.
- Act like you don't know what COVID-19 is -
4 - School Sports Day
Time travel hasn't yet been discovered (excusing Back to The Future of course), but one great activity that has the ability to take you back in time is an old-school school sports day. Forget COVID-19 with this great, sporty activity and fill your boots with nostalgia.
A sports day is really popular for groups of all different ages and abilities because they are designed for everyone to have some fun . With classic games like sack races, egg and spoon races and tug-of-war, it's easy to see why people opt for a school sports day so often. They are also extremely flexible with where they can be run. At home, at a local leisure centre, at a local park or wherever you'd like to do this amazingly fun activity (providing there's enough space of course), it can be done.
- Transport yourself back to a time before COVID-19-
5 - Paintball
Paintball may help you to forget about COVID-19 in a variety of ways. Firstly, there's the pain factor if you find yourself getting hit. It'll smart for sure, but think of the 'battle bruises' you can show off afterwards! Secondly, it's a mega activity, run at centres all over the UK, with fantastic 'maps' and game types to keep the heart pumping and adrenaline flowing. The basic cost of entrance is always a big plus point as it can be a very cheap day out indeed (if your trigger finger doesn't get carried away). If planning a whole day trip, it is often better value for money to go for a package with extra paintballs, but a half day could work out nicely if you bulk buy some paintballs and share the cost and the balls with your mates.
Whatever way you choose to work it, paintball is and will probably always be one of the most popular outdoor activities in the UK and hence it has to feature in our top 10 activities to forget COVID-19.
- Blast away anyone talking about COVID-19 -
6 - Canal Boat Trip
This is another activity which involves getting away from hustle and bustle, roaming the countryside and forgetting all about COVID-19. Take to one of the UK's many scenic waterways on a canal boat for the weekend and get away from it all. Even bigger groups of people can choose this stunning activity, as most boatyards can offer a host of boats to create your very own flotilla (you just have to decide who the admiral is going to be).
With such beautiful places to explore, a canal boat weekend offers so much. Most boatyards are situated close to major towns or cities and a short cruise will lead you into city centres so that you don't have to choose between staying on a boat or doing fantastic activities.
All boats are equipped with beds, showers. kitchens and usually a social area, so it will feel like a floating house, giving you freedom, relaxation and flexibility.
- Cruise along without a care about COVID-19 -
7 - Go Karting
If it's something motorised, but not too crazy that you're thinking about, what better way to forget about COVID-19 than some go-karting? With indoor and outdoor karting centres being easily reached from anywhere in the UK, this activity offers so many types of racing from sprint/short time all the way through to endurance events.
If you've never karted before, it's no problem, all centres are used to providing professional guidance on how to handle the machinery. The karts at the majority of centres are often able to reach speeds of up to around 35-45mph, with a variety of track lengths, so you can choose the venue which best suits your requirements.
Whatever type of karting you choose, this is a great activity to help you to forget about COVID-19.
- Kart off the COVID-19 memories -
8 - Brewery Tour
We've not yet mentioned using alcohol to aid how quickly you can forget about COVID-19, but better late than never right? These can be beer breweries, gin distilleries and possibly any other type of place known for making it's own brand of alcohol.
Brewery tours aren't something that you will find absolutely everywhere, so it's worth checking with us where you can do them. Once you've sussed where to go, you'll usually find yourself taking part in some or all of the following:
- Take a look around a brewery (often a smaller/micro one) with a tour of what's going on at each point.
- Sample some of the brews made at your venue of choice with an brew master to give you the low-down on each tipple.
- Sit down for a lovely meal after the drinking to continue drinking, but balance it out (at least a little) with some chow.
A fantastic way to spend an afternoon forgetting all about the dastardly COVID-19
- Drink to haze over thoughts of COVID-19 -
9 - Cocktail Making Masterclass
Seeing drinks being made is great, but it's likely that learning how to make your own will help you to forget COVID-19 a lot quicker. Cocktail making masterclasses can be done just about anywhere and are an extremely popular activity.
You'll get the chance to make a couple of cocktails, giving you a great party trick to take to all the 're-union' parties, you'll have a great time drinking them and loads of laughs with good friends. Most venues also offer food options, from buffet food up to 3-course meals, to make it a really special event and one which you're likely to forget.
- Push out COVID-19 thoughts with new drink-making talents -
10 - Dance Class
Our final suggestion for an activity to forget COVID-19 is a dance class. Think about it, a lot of us have been stuck inside with Joe Wicks as our personal trainer (well done if you kept up with it everyday, we certainly faded before long), probably not doing a lot of dancing. We think that you deserve to have as much fun as you can handle and a dance class could be just the ticket!
Dance classes can pretty much be any theme you like, so whether you are into cheesy pop or classic ballroom, there can be a dance class to fulfil your dance dreams. A dance class can be run in any suitable space and most towns and cities have no problem running them somewhere close to where you're staying.
So why not dance like no-one's watching and forget about the COVID-19 blues!?
A summary of the ten best activities to forget COVID-19
We think that the top 10 activities to forget about COVID-19 are worth noting and in our humble opinion, they are as follows:
- Off Road Buggies
- Canoeing and Bushcraft
- Murder Mystery
- School Sports Day
- Paintball
- Canal Boat Trip
- Go Karting
- Brewery Tour
- Cocktail Making Masterclass
- Dance Class
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