Stay-At-Home Bucket List

For the good of our city, we’re holed up at home– here are some ways to keep yourself entertained!

Stay-at-home can be hard, for so many reasons. We here at Made in KC are cheering each and every one of you on. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe. Keep your heads up– we'll make it through this together!

In the meantime, our editors put together some tried and true boredom busters to break up our remaining days at home:

— Start an herb garden, or repot some plants! Paradise Garden Co. is delivering potting kits, complete with fresh soil and instructions, to your door so you can get your own virtual greenhouse going. Don’t want to DIY? Check out High & Dry Cactus Co. for a ready-to-go prickly pal!

— Rearrange a room: every wonder how your bedroom would look with the bed on the opposite wall? Or your desk in the center of the office? Now is the time to try! “Shop” in your own house and move a few things around– you just might love it.

— Cleanse your space! Computer file clean-outs, physical space cleanouts, planning ahead– control what you can control.

— Join a virtual cookbook club! Try something new, trade recipes with your pals, and tell us all about how it went.

— Check the MIKC Explore Virtual Book Club groups to support local book shops, or start your own!

— Wine or beer tasting at home! Wrap your bottles in paper so you can’t peak at the labels, and take your best guess. Or follow along with a local pro: Boulevard Brewing is selling tasting kits in with Christopher Elbow pairings, and lots of great local shops like Underdog Wine are offering tasting notes on Instagram live.

— Host a virtual Mario Kart tourney with friends!

— Try some new board games. Brookside Toy & Science is offering local game delivery or curbside pickup!

— Turn your dining table into a fine dining restaurant- light some candles, put out some plates, and treat yourself to curbside takeout from a local restaurant.

— Remember your favorite childhood activities? Cut-and-paste collages, pillow forts, MASH- you’re never too old!

— Support local charities- advocate groups like KC Tenants and non-profit food providers like Kanbe’s Markets are more important than ever right now. Or, grab a KC Runs on Hospitality t-shirt to show your support for the local food scene. Nothing like helping your community to give you the warm fuzzies!

— Take up that hobby you swore you’d start: we know you’ve got watercolors, bead kits, tie dye, or colored pencils stashed away somewhere… and if not, local shops like Artist & Craftsman Supply are still shipping! Check out the DIY craft tutorials that the Kemper Museum of Art put together (or just download their printable coloring page), and you’r ready to go.

— On that note: fire up your laptop and watch some episodes of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. There are dozens of episodes available on YouTube and his voice is exactly the kind of zen I need right now. Or try your hand at learning another skill virtually– KC locals like Lauren Heim Studio are offering lettering classes, complete with printable worksheets, and Carly Rae Studio is shipping out watercolor kits.

— Order a sugar cookie kit from a local bakery (Dolce Bakery, McLain’s, and Sweet Petites are all offering them) and start decorating!

— Our Food & Drink Editor Grace Pritchett suggests surprising your friends with contact-free treats. Between sending cinnamon rolls from McLain's Bakery to a friend for their birthday or dropping off Mean Mule cocktail kits to another friend for happy hour, it’s easy to support local businesses and add a little bit of sunshine to everyone's day. Made in KC is even offering care packages, available to mail to anyone in the U.S.!

— With more time at home, we’re cooking lots more! Try supporting local businesses through your grocery shopping. Parisi has transitioned their catering business to full-service grocery delivery with fresh produce and local products. Broadway Butcher Shop has made their place a one-stop-shop by stocking local businesses like Farm to Market Bread, Broadway Roasting Co, and more, along with dairy products and fresh produce from local farms. Local restaurants like Happy Gillis and Caffetteria have started offering grocery delivery– so many options to support local!

— Create a morning routine, because you finally have the time to: meditating, journaling, connecting with nature, reading, moving your body– those are just a few of the suggestions from our Wellness Editor Amy McDaniel

— Make new weekend traditions. Saturday night is perfect for a cheese board from French Market and dirty martinis (shake Rieger Vodka or Gin with Olive juice, served up in a chilled glass with a olive)

— Double down on self care: long epsom baths (Welwyn salts are amaze), try a DIY face mask, stretch before bed, journal it all out, pour a fat glass of wine– whatever self-care means to you

— Go on a socially distanced stroll to look at the spring trees at the Nelson and along Brush Creek by the Plaza.

— Find an at-home workout to enjoy while supporting locals like Sage Center, offering live stream workout classes to those who sign up.

— Pack a picnic and go on a hike at Shawnee Mission Park. It’s a great way to “get away” while safely social distancing and enjoying some fresh air!

— Sort through your closet. Our Life & Style Editor, Annie Austen, suggests that now is the perfect time to make piles for donating + selling later on this year. No time like the present to get organized!

— Enjoy all the extra playtime and cuddles with our four-legged family members. Try making homemade dog treats!

Artist Highlight: Paulina Otero

Artist Paulina Otero’s work is easily recognizable: bright colors and bold shapes are the hallmark of her designs, and her growing popularity is evident throughout the city.

Read More →

The Kansas City Museum: Living, Breathing, and Thriving

Three stories of history, art and views await at the Kansas City Museum.

Read More →

New Night Club Alert: 👀

Step into the enchanting realm of "In The Lowest Ferns," Kansas City's newest nocturnal oasis nestled in the heart of the historic West Bottoms neighborhood.

Read More →