Life on the inside: 10 educational activities to make the best of lockdown

As everyone is asked to stay at home, there has never been a better time to learn something new.

People in the UK are spending more time at home than ever before during the coronavirus lockdown.

While this may mean less activity outdoors, it can also be the perfect opportunity to learn something new.

Here are 10 educational activities to try during lockdown:

1. Learn a language

Learning a language can be time-consuming, and with plenty of unfilled hours, understanding an extra vocabulary may be a useful skill to acquire.

Though it always looks good in a CV, learning a language could also enable you to work abroad, or to socialise with locals while travelling overseas.

Classes are available online and there are many applications such as Duolingo, Memrise and Babbel offering engaging lessons, quizzes and games to help immerse you in the language in less than 30 minutes.

There is also a wide selection of YouTube videos available which extend from beginner to expert levels.

2. Learn a musical instrument

The 40th Cambridge Folk Festival — Learning music can relieve stress and anxiety during the lockdown period (PA)

Music can be a reliever of stress and anxiety and could be the source of relaxation you need to get through this difficult period.

Lessons can be done online or there are plenty of Youtube tutorials to get you started.

3. Learn to cook

Salt stock — There are many recipes for those on a budget to use items already in their cupboards (PA)

With just the ingredients lying around the house you’ll be able to whip up a meal following various recipes and tutorials designed for those on a tight budget.

And with most of us not having to go through the time-consuming commute to work, why not ditch the takeaway and go healthy?

4. Online classes

Working your way to a qualification or patching up a few things on your CV could be the most productive way to spend your time during the lockdown.

Subjects on offer range from academic classes such as maths and English, to creative classes like photography and writing. Other useful classes can help to improve communication skills or general workplace knowledge.

Many Brits are flocking to learning websites, as more are dedicating a chunk of their day to add to their CV or finally begin an online degree.

5. Learn to paint

Learning to paint is another therapeutic way of spending your time.

Royal visit to Scotland — A watercolour painted by the Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Aberdeenshire in 2018. Perhaps now is the time to take up painting while in lockdown (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Various YouTube channels such as WowArt show how to make the most of various household items such as cotton buds, toothbrushes and spoons to turn into your very own masterpiece.

6. Coding

Taking the time to pick up a new digital skill such as coding could also be a worthy addition to a CV.

The Institute of Coding has partnered with web developer Rifke Sadleir to launch a series of virtual coding course, completely free.

It will include video tutorials and how-to guides for people working from home to develop and learn new digital skills.

7. Learn calligraphy

There are also calligraphy classes for those who wish to take up an affordable hobby in decorative writing.

Obby is now offering face to face group classes and has beginner sets of a nib, straight pen and black ink for £14.

Calligraphy would be perfect for designing gifts or invitations for weddings or birthdays for when the lockdown is over.

Obby is also offering other one hour long group sessions in watercolour, photography and mandala flower drawing classes from £10 per person.

8. Learn first aid

First aid stock — Understanding how to use a defibrillator would be vital in an emergency (PA)

Learning skills such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), how to use a defibrillator and what to do if someone stopped breathing could be vital when trying to care for loved ones.

9. Learn to dance

If you have a passion for dancing, but have never quite been good at it, why not take part in some online classes to stay active?

Plenty of experts are running classes to get you moving and relieve some of the stress, with varying styles and rhythms.

Professionals at Sadlers Wells Theatre in London have launched a new platform called Digital Stage where it will present performances and curate classes for children and older people to complete at home.

10. Reading

Hay Festival 2015 – Hay-On-Wye — There is plenty of time to get through some unread books (PA)

Putting down electronic devices to read something for at least an hour a day would relax and focus the mind, and get some much needed rest time away from our screens.

By also joining an online book club, staying connected and talking about some of the things learned or sharing recommendations would also give you the incentive to read and learn more.