With the country being plunged in and out of lockdowns at a moment's notice, it's a bit hard to gauge what you can and can't plan. The good news is, businesses have developed some amazing virtual experiences over the past year to counteract the loss of in-person activities, so there are plenty of fun things you can do to spice up your week. We found some of the best classes to kick the lockdown blues.

 

Image via ClassBento

Arts and crafts

Learn the Japanese art of Kintsugi

The art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold, Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese tradition that stems from the philosophy of seeing beauty in imperfections. Get a beginner's guide, covering the principles of this art form, with all the materials shipped directly to you with Mindful Art Kintsugi at Home on ClassBento. 

Get messy with pottery

Send yourself a clay kit and settle in with a wine for a Friday night live session with a Clay Sydney tutor (or access it at a time that better suits you with the On Demand option). Your kit will come with everything that you need, including a cheat sheet if you get lost along the way, plus you'll find tips on where to get your piece fired afterwards. If you're not keen on having to find a kiln, ClassBento also offers a variety of courses with air-dry clay like this one so you can make mugs, pots or sculptural pieces to your heart's desire. 

Take on a boozy painting class

Paint and Sip took the world by storm in recent years, and there's no reason you should miss out just because you're stuck at home. Cork and Canvas does Champainting On-Demand, which lets you choose which painting you'd like to create, gives you a list of everything you'll need and once you've activated your session, you can access it for 48 hours so you can paint at your own pace.

 

Image via Sydney Dance Company

Find new ways to move your body with dance classes

Learn from some of the best dancers in Australia with Classes On Demand by Sydney Dance Company. Whatever your experience or skill level, they have something for you. While it is subscription-based, you can choose to subscribe monthly and cancel within 72 hours of your next payment to avoid paying for the next month. Plus, if you're in NSW you can use your Dine and Discover vouchers towards your subscription!

Cultivate your green thumb and build your own terrarium

Get in touch with the folks over at Little Succers to set up a private virtual workshop to create the terrarium of your dreams. They'll send out everything you'll need to individual addresses, so you can get all your friends involved, and will organise a time to best suit you.

 

Image via Omnom cheese

Level up your food and drinks prep skills

Bring the tour to you with tastings

Wine, beer or whiskey, you can taste them all with Drinks with Dave. Get in touch to pick your experience and let them sort out the rest, from sending you what you'll need to your dedicated 'Dave' setting up quizzes, question time and an array of expert knowledge. Make sure you have the right vessels for your tastings with wine glasses, beer glasses and whiskey glasses. 

Up your grazing platter game with a homemade cheese selection

Whatever your favourite cheese, Omnom Cheese has a virtual cheese masterclass for you. Homemade feta, halloumi and mozzarella, burrata and bocconcini are all within reach, and this might just be the perfect time to master the skill. Assemble them on a serving board and you'll have a platter worth bragging about the next time you can host.

Switch up your beverages with a cocktail class

Don't just limit yourself to the same wine or beer, up your game by learning how to make a few fun cocktails with Virtual Cocktail Class. You'll get technical coaching, tailored recipes and a full ingredients list for your favourite beverages, plus you get to have a tipple while you learn! Grab a cocktail making set and you'll be a top tier mixologist in no time. 

 

Image via Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

Something for the kids

Discover the art of origami

For easy and fun activities, check out the Australian Museum's range of online experiments and activities for kids. They have plenty of easy to follow tutorials for all skill and material levels, like the how to make an origami jumping frog where all you need is some paper!

Get involved in an online festival of learning

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre has taken their annual WOW Festival online this year so you can join in the fun from home, wherever that may be. Download the Creativity Pack and check out the multitude of video-led activities on offer that are designed to allow for exploration, creativity and thinking.