Obstacle Courses, Biking, and Walking
What Kids Around Wellesley are Doing to Battle Their Boredom During the Coronaviruis
By Reilly Gareau
While workers on the frontline are battling the coronavirus, many of us are battling something else taking up a lot of time in our life these days: boredom. Many parents are struggling with kids who are out of their minds at home, and at the same time, many kids are looking for something interesting to do with their free time. Luckily, some kids around town have thought of creative new ways - and are bringing back some old ones - to fill up their spare hours.
“I’ve done obstacle courses, and I recommended doing them. Also I’ve used my train board a lot, my model train,” said Michael Gareau, a 5th grader in Wellesley.
Some of the obstacles in Gareau’s obstacle courses include ducking under or jumping over hurdles, doing a long jump between two cones, and pulling a wagon full of heavy objects, such as rocks, up a hill in his backyard. The obstacle courses are a great way to spend time, because they incorporate creative thinking in the design process of the course, including the constraints of using materials available. They also allow for many different levels of challenge depending on the obstacles chosen. Some unique obstacles that are slightly less active can include drawing (with chalk or on paper), playing a round of charades with a partner, or even solving a riddle. Obstacle courses are one of the best options because one can personalize them including virtually any activity, even if it isn’t active.
Going on a walk with a pet, family member or friend is a much simpler idea than creating an obstacle course.
“I’ve been getting outside by walking my dog Annabelle,” said Gareau. “I try to stay away from other people and wear a mask. I think talking with people should be allowed but being very close to people shouldn’t.”
Maggie Saunders ’24 is a middle school student who has also found some activities to occupy her time during the quarantine.
“I have been biking and walking around my neighborhood. My family also built a trampoline which I use every day with my brother. We also play frisbee,” said Saunders.
Gareau isn’t the only one taking time to go on a walk. Saunders is a regularly active middle schooler, who also enjoys walks, but continued by saying that she has become less active during the pandemic.
“Before the pandemic I played hockey almost every day, but now that I can’t do that I have been enjoying running around outside. I feel like I am exercising less than I used to,” said Saunders.
Although she may be having trouble finding ways to stay active as she was before the pandemic, Saunders understands that it is part of her responsibility, as it is everyone’s, to follow the restrictions put in place by officials. Getting outside is important, although sometimes indoor activities are the best thing to do.
“I’ve used my train board a lot, my model train, it’s HO scale, it’s the most popular scale,” said Gareau.
Although not many of us have a model train, maybe now is the right time to pull out all those old toys that we haven’t used in awhile. Remember that Rainbow Loom fad? Or the Fidget Spinner one? Now might be a good time to put those old toys to use.
However one chooses to battle their boredom - whether it is getting outside for a walk or an obstacle course, or pulling out a game one hasn’t used in awhile, be sure to follow the local guidelines of wearing a face covering whenever a 6-foot social distance is not possible. And of course, stay happy, healthy, and safe while battling boredom during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’ve done obstacle courses, and I recommended doing them. Also I’ve used my train board a lot, my model train,” said Michael Gareau, a 5th grader in Wellesley.
Some of the obstacles in Gareau’s obstacle courses include ducking under or jumping over hurdles, doing a long jump between two cones, and pulling a wagon full of heavy objects, such as rocks, up a hill in his backyard. The obstacle courses are a great way to spend time, because they incorporate creative thinking in the design process of the course, including the constraints of using materials available. They also allow for many different levels of challenge depending on the obstacles chosen. Some unique obstacles that are slightly less active can include drawing (with chalk or on paper), playing a round of charades with a partner, or even solving a riddle. Obstacle courses are one of the best options because one can personalize them including virtually any activity, even if it isn’t active.
Going on a walk with a pet, family member or friend is a much simpler idea than creating an obstacle course.
“I’ve been getting outside by walking my dog Annabelle,” said Gareau. “I try to stay away from other people and wear a mask. I think talking with people should be allowed but being very close to people shouldn’t.”
Maggie Saunders ’24 is a middle school student who has also found some activities to occupy her time during the quarantine.
“I have been biking and walking around my neighborhood. My family also built a trampoline which I use every day with my brother. We also play frisbee,” said Saunders.
Gareau isn’t the only one taking time to go on a walk. Saunders is a regularly active middle schooler, who also enjoys walks, but continued by saying that she has become less active during the pandemic.
“Before the pandemic I played hockey almost every day, but now that I can’t do that I have been enjoying running around outside. I feel like I am exercising less than I used to,” said Saunders.
Although she may be having trouble finding ways to stay active as she was before the pandemic, Saunders understands that it is part of her responsibility, as it is everyone’s, to follow the restrictions put in place by officials. Getting outside is important, although sometimes indoor activities are the best thing to do.
“I’ve used my train board a lot, my model train, it’s HO scale, it’s the most popular scale,” said Gareau.
Although not many of us have a model train, maybe now is the right time to pull out all those old toys that we haven’t used in awhile. Remember that Rainbow Loom fad? Or the Fidget Spinner one? Now might be a good time to put those old toys to use.
However one chooses to battle their boredom - whether it is getting outside for a walk or an obstacle course, or pulling out a game one hasn’t used in awhile, be sure to follow the local guidelines of wearing a face covering whenever a 6-foot social distance is not possible. And of course, stay happy, healthy, and safe while battling boredom during the coronavirus pandemic.
Reilly Gareau is a participant of the First to the Frontpage Summer of 2020 program.