We know it can be difficult having to remain at home as Spring begins to roll in. The days are getting longer, that sunshine a little warmer and the call of Muskoka is getting louder and louder. But it’s okay, we have some great tips on how to bring Muskoka TO YOU and how you can enjoy some Muskoka-themed Staycation activities right at home!
S’Mores by the Fire • What You’ll Need: Graham Crackers; Marshmallows; Chocolate Bar (Hersey works great!); a Laptop or Tablet with internet connection; somewhere to cozy up.
Few things can replace the actual feeling of sitting around a fire with friends and family to roast marshmallows under the night sky, but this is definitely the next best thing. Set up your tablet or laptop somewhere that you can gather around to see it. Pull up YouTube and search for one of the many great several-hour-long campfire videos (here’s one). Set up some blankets, and pillows. Now, run back to the kitchen and get those s’mores ready (quick how-to here). Return to your cozy set-up, dish out the s’mores and enjoy your S’Mores by the Fire!
Stargazing • What You’ll Need: A backyard, or somewhere that you can relax outside while still practicing your social distancing; a clear dark night; added bonus: binoculars or a telescope.
While you may not have the dark sky required to see the entire Milky Way band of stars due to nearby ambient light, you should still be able to make out some of the more prominent night sky objects on a clear night even in the city. For starters, about 90 minutes after sunset, you should see the planet Venus in the west. It will appear as one of the brightest objects in the sky (next to the moon!). Without the help of binoculars or a telescope, you should be able to find the stars Sirius, Vega and Betelgeuse. Orion is often an easy constellation to spot as well as the ‘Pleiades’ cluster.
Bundle up nice and warm and lay under the stars for hours. You may notice the International Space Station passing by, or several other satellites that you never noticed before. You might just be surprised at what all you see when you take the time to look!
Home Spa Treatment • What You’ll Need: Your preferred home spa essentials (might include: face mask, home pedicure kit, hair mask, nail polish, bath bomb).
Sometimes the trip to the cottage is about unplugging and getting in some good self-care. And while you may not be able to connect with your favourite Muskoka spa right now, there are likely some local options you can find in the Yellow Pages who can help arrange curb-side pick-up for some home spa supplies. If not, your local Pharmacy or Grocery Store should have some essentials as well. The key here is to focus on things that make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Rock a face mask while you give yourself a pedicure. Do up your nails. Treat yourself, you deserve it!
When you’re all finished, cozy up with a book or maybe play a board game with those you’re sharing your quarantine with.
Hang in there friends! We hope you enjoyed these Muskoka Staycation Ideas. Do you have any of your own? We’d love to hear about them!
Remember… #StayHome #StayHealthy and #StayCozy
