Physical Distancing Approved Activities

6 min readAug 12, 2020

Blugolds, as you already know, this fall will be much different than any other semester in UW-Eau Claire’s history. And while we’re looking forward to returning to campus, we want to make sure you stay safe and healthy all semester long. Which brings us to this question — what can you do for fun when the things you enjoyed most are likely cancelled or rescheduled to next year? The good news is, we’ve got a bunch of great ideas to help you enjoy being back on campus while following the required protocol.

#1 Go Outside!!

While the weather is still nice, you can certainly chill outside with your roommates and friends from other residence halls. We suggest going to Tower’s Field or another green space where there’s room for sitting 6-feet apart.

Here are some suggested outdoor activities:

Since there will be limited seating in the cafeteria, you can take your meal outside.
Gather some craft supplies (canvas, paints, coloring books, etc.) and do something creative together on the campus mall or in Towers Field.
Grab some coffee and take it for a walk downtown or along Putnam Trail.
Go for a hike or bike ride on one of the many trails in or near Eau Claire. Find some of our faves HERE

#2 Explore Virtual Events

While a lot of the events you were looking forward to are cancelled/rescheduled, some of them may go virtual. And while it’s not the same as being in-person, it will still be a good time. Try these:

A virtual workout from UWEC Group Exercise (Follow the UW-Eau Claire Group Exercise page on Facebook for information HERE).
A “Pablo Stream,” which is a virtual concert hosted by Pablo Center at the Confluence.
A virtual trivia night with friends from another residence hall.
Follow McIntyre Library on social media to learn about online Makerspace Workshops that will be available this fall. Although the Makerspace is temporarily closed, they will be checking out equipment (like sewing machines) and offering online workshops. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

#3 Cook or bake in the residence hall kitchen

Pick out some easy recipes and take your culinary skills to the residence hall kitchen. Simply check-out a key to the kitchen. bring your cooking utensils, and make sure you clean up and disinfect when finished.

Some of our favorite recipes include:

Chocolate Chip Cookies (a treat for you and your roomie)
English Muffin Pizzas
Walking Tacos
Simple Fried Rice
Burrito Bowls
Quesadillas

#4 Go to the Farmer’s Market in Phoenix Park

Every Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., the Eau Claire Farmer’s Market will be open in the Phoenix Park pavilion. As long as you wear a mask and stay distant from others, you can pay a visit and pick-up some veggies, coffee, and delicious treats. Plus, it’s a lovely walk from the residence halls to Phoenix Park. Grab your roommate(s) and head over. (Please note: The Farmer’s Market is only open through the month of October).

#5 Kick back with a good book

On cold days, pick out a good book (one that’s not required for class), make your favorite coffee drink, throw on your comfiest sweatpants, and get cozy. Reading is a great way to relax and wind down. Maybe you even just read a few pages before bed every night. Whatever you prefer, this is a great way to spend time and reset for the next day.

If you’re looking for a place to check out books, McIntyre Library has everything you need.

Once the library opens on September 1, you’ll be able to peruse the stacks of books in-person during regular library hours. (TIP: Check out the Popular Reading Collection on the 2nd floor of McIntyre Library)
You can also use the Library’s website to search for both print and ebooks.
There are also Streamed Videos available for you to enjoy. If you want to browse through the many streamed video platforms, simply click on the Streamed Video button the Library’s website.

#6 Have a movie night with your roommate(s)

Have a movie night with your roommate(s). Turn on your string lights, buy your favorite candy/popcorn, and either binge watch a Netflix show or catch a flick on MyTV10.

Keep your eyes peeled for TV10’s All-Nighter. They will host this movie marathon each semester on MyTV10.

Access MyTV10 movies and shows HERE.

#7 Try learning a new skill

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit or try your hand at a little woodworking project. Now’s the time to learn those skills. Find some instructional Youtube videos (or refer to the McIntyre Library online Makerspace classes mentioned earlier) and get the creative juices flowing. If your desired skill isn’t craft-related, then try your hand at golfing or another physical distancing approved sport.

#8 Try Esports

Did you know that UW-Eau Claire has an official Esports Club? That’s right. If you’re interested in the games League of Legends, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Fortnite, or Minecraft then you might want to check them out. Playing Esports is a great way to connect with others and have fun while maintaining a physical distance.

Check out the UWEC Esports webpage HERE and the Facebook Group HERE.

#9 Make a collage or vision board with your roommate(s)

Something super easy and fun to do is make a collage or vision board. Not only does this involve your creativity, but it will also put you in a good mood as you start a new semester. Simply print out your favorite pictures, words, memes, and graphics from the web or cut out some pictures from magazines or old books. You can glue or tape them to a piece of tagboard or a thick piece of paper (TIP: The Dollar Tree has everything you’ll need at a very low price). Turn this into a party by putting on your favorite Spotify playlist and having some snacks. When you’re finished, hang your creation by your desk or bedside.

#10 RELAX

You don’t always need to have something planned. In fact, when you’re not doing homework, working or planning to do something with your roommate(s), remember to take care of yourself. Here are our favorite relaxation activities:

Write down a list of what you’re grateful for. You can do this once a week, once a day, or whenever you want. Reflecting on all the good in your life will make this strange transition back to classes feel better.
BREATHE. Yes, take some time to slow down and just focus on your breath. Our favorite technique is called “Square Breathing.” Check it out HERE.
Doodle on a blank piece of paper while you listen to music or fill-in some coloring pages.
Put in your ear buds and go for a short walk or run around campus.
Watch some YouTube or TikTok videos that get you laughing.

Do a puzzle. Remember when you loved doing them as a kid? Doing them as an adult helps activate your brain while relaxing you psychologically.
Watch your favorite movie. If you love watching a certain movie over-and-over because it makes you happy, go ahead and put it on.

We truly hope that these ideas will help you find a few activities that are physical distancing friendly. Remember to take care of yourself and be aware of how your actions are affecting our campus community. If you just use your imagination, we’re sure you can find some fun things to do while staying healthy.