By Jane Sandwood
People all over the world are staying indoors as social distancing measures are being strictly enforced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, families and individuals now have a lot of free time on their hands, and many are trying to find different ways to distract themselves from what’s going on in the world.
A study has shown that to pass the time, most people all over the world are now binge watching TV shows and movies on streaming services, making TikTok videos, and doing art and music activities with their children. Apart from all these, your iPhone or iPad can also provide you tons of entertainment while you’re staying at home. Here are some Apple games and apps to help you cope during the lockdown.
Houseparty
The global lockdown has isolated millions of individuals from their family and friends, and to cope during the Covid-19 health crisis, most people partake in video chats to connect with their loved ones. However, the problem with most video conference apps is that you can only talk to a limited number of people at the time, and some of these apps are prone to hacking due to the lack of security features.
If you want to get a group conversation going and play games at the same time, then check out the Houseparty app. This social media app allows you to have a video chat with up to eight friends, and you can even play games such as Quick Draw, Trivia, and Chips and Guac. Houseparty requires iOS 9 or later and is free for iPhone and iPad users.
Night Sky
Stargazing excursions and trips to the planetarium may be on hold right now, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t discover the wonders of the night sky while on lockdown. With the Night Sky app, you can access a 3D map of the heavens just by aiming your iPhone skyward. You’ll also get illustrations of the constellations, planets, and satellites on your screen so it’s like having a mini planetarium in your hands.
The best part? You’ll never miss special astronomical events again as the app will notify you of events such as meteor showers or a lunar eclipse. The Night Sky app requires iOS 11 or later, as well as 932.2 MB of storage, so free up some space in your Apple device to make sure that there’s enough room for the app.
Seven- 7 Minute Workout
Don’t let the lockdown stop you from achieving your fitness goals. If you prefer to workout in short bursts, you’ll like the Seven- 7 Minute Workout app. All the workouts are created by professionals, and you don’t need a single piece of equipment to do them. The exercises are suitable for all fitness levels, and they’re highly customizable so you can create your own 7-minute workout.
The app also tracks the number of calories burned so you’ll know how to adjust your diet and workout plans to get the results that you want. But the best part about this app is that it’s absolutely free, so it enables you to get fit without the hefty gym costs.
Draw Something
The Draw Something app has been around since 2012, but it has become increasingly popular over the past two months as it allows you to play with a friend. The game is similar to Pictionary– the app challenges you to draw an object, then you send the drawing to a friend and have them guess what it is. Your friend also gets to see you draw in real time, and the sooner they guess the answer, the more points they get. Draw Something is a free app that’s compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
Your Apple device can help you stay healthy and entertained during the Covid-19 health crisis. Some iPhone apps can even help you cope with isolation as they enable you to connect with loved ones. Consider installing these apps and make the most of your free time while on lockdown.
