Stuck at home? Here are some upbeat ways to pass the time

May 18, 2020

Life on Long Island has changed amid the coronavirus outbreak. And as you make plans to keep you and your family safe and healthy, here are some suggestions and much-needed distractions for making the most of your time right now. Check back daily for updates and share your ideas at exploreli@newsday.com.

Newsday is opening most of this content to all readers as we provide Long Islanders with news and information you can use and ways to take a break during the coronavirus outbreak. Some content remains exclusive to subscribers. All readers can learn the latest news at newsday.com/LiveUpdates

LI fitness experts share 5 outdoor workout routines

You don't have to leave home or spend money to exercise. Long Island fitness experts offer tips and workout routines you can perform in your own backyard.

LI beaches to visit this summer

You can hit the sand at these spots with reduced capacity and other safety measures.

Hit the road: Check out LI scenic places to drive

During the current situation, scenic drives offer kid-friendly history lessons, off-the-beaten path hiking trails and more.

Long, scenic and family-friendly bike trails

Biking is a great way to get your wheels turning on Long Island.

Need a break? Some LI parents are trying virtual babysitting

Babysitters help entertain kids on Zoom and FaceTime with their parents nearby.

Great places to get ice cream on LI

No food sums up summer like ice cream, whether it’s a cone on the run, or a sit-down feast of a banana split.

Outdoor movie schedule for this summer on LI

Outdoor movies are springing up around Long Island again this season.

How many of these ultimate LI summer activities have you done?

Everyone has their own idea of an ideal summer day on Long Island.

LI groomer gives tips on how to pamper pets at home

LI groomer shares some simple tips and tricks for pet owners on how to properly care for cats and dogs from home.

LI town launches at-home sports and dance classes for kids

Families can learn basketball and football skills, have a dance party, attend a National Circus project workshop and more.

5 LI restaurants offering fun cocktails to go

Bottled cocktails are injecting creativity into takeout orders.

Grow a 'victory garden'

The requirements are few and simple: Sunlight, water, seeds or starter plants, and fertile, well-draining soil combined with a can-do attitude.

8 hiking trails for families to try on LI

To see Long Island from a fresh perspective, far from cars, noise and crowds, take a hike.

How to create your own backyard movie theater

You don't have to go far from home for the outdoor movie experience.

Boozy sundaes, ice cream sandwiches debut at LI eatery

Try the Birthday Buzz (cake-batter-vodka-martini ice cream topped with Prosecco and sprinkles) or the Day Drinker (mango-margarita sorbet and raspberry-limoncello sorbet topped with Prosecco and fruit gummies).

10 food, alcohol delivery apps you should know about

All you need to get dinner delivered.

Give yourself a salon treatment at home

Long Island beauty experts show us how to trim our bangs, color our hair and more.

9 LI eateries offering brunch to-go

Get oozy pretzel-bun breakfast sandwiches, banana-crumb pancakes and more.

Weekly farmers markets to visit this season

See when Long Island markets are reopening with locally grown produce and provisions.

3 foodie road trips you can take on LI this weekend

Eat your way around LI with these itineraries (at a safe social distance, of course).

Pick up a boxed meal or DIY dessert kit

Takeout has never been so entertaining.

Get your clothing, items appraised virtually by LI consignors

Now may be the time to collect some cash for stuff you don't need.

Take a virtual tour of LI museums

While their doors are closed, museums are offering online tours, music programs, artist talks and more.

Virtual activities for kids: concerts, crafts and more

Take a dance class, learn a new skill or watch a concert from home.

30 gardening chores to tackle in June

Here's a chore for each day of the month to keep your garden — and your optimism — growing.

Room-by-room decluttering tips from LI experts

Tackle the trickiest of spaces this spring.

Trivia quizzes that'll test your sports knowledge

Every weekday at noon, we'll post a sports trivia quiz.

Your guide to takeout on Long Island

Because most of us aren't ready to surrender just yet to an exclusive diet of home cooking.

Take a virtual workout class with LI fitness experts

There are ways to stay fit while staying at home.

Couch Comfort: 12 truly goofy comedies you can stream

These are movies that we'll graciously call unchallenging, the kind that aim to offer big yuks and loud guffaws.

14 shows to binge right now if you're stuck at home

There's something to watch (and watch) for every viewer who's hanging around the house.

Staying home? Foster an LI puppy in need

From Labrador retriever puppies to older rescues, organizations are looking to place dogs in new homes.

Couch Comfort: Where to watch 112 great vintage sitcoms

It seems as if TV's past is at your fingertips more than ever before. Here's a guide for both traditional viewers and cord-cutters.

Get crafty with take-home activity kits from LI shops

Ready-to-go food and craft kits that will keep the kids entertained at home.

5 science experiments for kids using items you have at home

Long Island museums share their best at-home experiments.

Watch Newsday’s 2020 NY Emmy winners & nominees

From political pioneers to Feed Me to a man exonerated of a crime after nearly four decades, stream Long Island stories that will make you laugh, cry and think.

Can you solve our interactive crossword puzzle?

Newsday puts you to the test with Stanley Newman's crosswords.

Miss baseball? Watch Newsday Live's event with 1969 Mets heroes

Ed Kranepool and Art Shamsky joined Newsday baseball writers for a look back at the Miracle Mets.

Love the Apollo mission? Newsday Live talks with experts

Watch a Q&A with Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham and Milton Windler, a NASA flight director for Apollo 13.

Brush up on Long Island history ...

From the birth of Long Island to today, read all nine chapters of Newsday's epic series "Long Island: Our Story."

... and help shape our future

Learn more about nextLI, Newsday's forum to discuss ways to make Long Island competitive, affordable and welcoming.

Miss hockey? Relive the Islanders' four Stanley Cups with Newsday Live

Legends Butch Goring and Clark Gillies answered your questions in a Q&A at Newsday last year.

Catch up on this year's team with Newsday's Island Ice podcast

Newsday's Andrew Gross takes you inside the team.

Read the latest issue of Feed Me, Newsday's magazine for LI food lovers

At Bakuto in Lindenhurst, standouts include the pork ramen.

Read ANY issue of Newsday from the past nine years!

Feel like taking a walk down memory lane? Click over to our digital paper and relive any date since 2011 -- or check out the archives for classic and special editions through the years. (Desktop and mobile web only)

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