In this most unusual time, creativity and mutual help are spreading across social media to get us through these weeks of lockdown in good cheer, as far as that is possible. Cooking together, exercising, inventing activities for the little ones, listening to podcasts, telling stories, having fun: a great many initiatives make it possible, without leaving home. So here are our 8 favourite ideas, which will help above all if you are shut in a small space.
| 1. "Coronaminus", 10 creative ideas a minute for little ones An Instagram account started by two creative mothers shut in with their little ones: they share DIY ideas, recipes and other parents' inventions so as never to run out of daily activities and to keep the kids busy until further notice! |
2. Watch the premiere of the film "Les Grands Voisins, la citée rêvée" at homeDiscover Les Grands Voisins (where our workshop is) and its history on film on 23 March, comfortably settled on your sofa thanks to a geolocated e-cinema screening.
3. The Italian art of living (in the kitchen), live on InstagramAli di Firenze is a Frenchwoman in Tuscany who invites us to an Italian cookery lesson with the family, followed by dinner, live on Instagram. Yesterday it was risotto; she is bound to do it again soon! She gives us the list of ingredients in advance, so get everything ready and be there on the day.
4. Follow a philosophy class that is accessible and enrichingTo let final-year students revise and other curious minds keep learning more, Marie Robert, alias Philosophy is sexy, offers philosophical reflections around great themes live on her Instagram account every day at 5pm. We promise, it is fascinating!
5. Exercise for the whole family, live on YouTubeThe athlete Lucile Woodward offers family exercise classes, to get moving and take your mind off things, several times a week live on her YouTube channel. No equipment needed, and no particular level: just burn off your energy for 40 mins all together. The video is available on catch-up and the next session will take place on Sunday at 4pm.
6. Be creative with very little It is often with three bits of string that the best toys get invented. A great many sites are brimming with ideas for making play trails in the living room, statues out of toilet roll tubes or fishing games with coins... Our favourite is quite simply these lolly sticks brought back to life as a little tribe. Good idea, is it not?
7. A house to invent, to keep the artists among you busy
Pénélope Bagieu is launching a 'coronamaison': everyone fits out, furnishes and decorates their ideal floor for a lockdown. Draw, colour in, make collages from this drawing. They will all be shared at the end!
8. Enjoy the good recipes of Miss Maggie's Kitchen
One last one for the road: the cookery classes of Héloïse Bruno, alias Miss Maggie's Kitchen live on Instagram as well. The recipes are available on her blog if you prefer to read. The first was built around chicken and fresh herbs (ingredients available here) and the second was biscuits with the children. More dates are coming in the next few days. Enjoy!
Our online shop remains open and all your orders will be despatched as soon as the situation has settled. Do take the chance to get your spring table ready; better days and long tables with friends will be back before long!
To help us, do keep talking about nähen to the people around you, share your photographs on Instagram @nahenshop, and let us keep French making alive together.
Do take good care of yourselves.
