Escape Hong Kong’s sweltering heat with indoor activities inspired by classic movies
- With ‘Home Alone’, ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Moana’ as your muse, take up art jamming, enjoy board game nights, pick up a new hobby and more
Making scrapbooks is a good way to use your time in the summer months. Photo: Shutterstock Summer is a time of rest, and Hong Kong’s sweltering, humid weather is turning our heads to activities that are still enjoyable under the comfort of air conditioning. Rather than lazing around on the couch watching films all day, here are three things you can do to take a break from fast-paced city life – inspired by a few classic movies.
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Home alone: summer edition
It’s an underrated one, but being bored at home is one of the best ways to revitalise your arts-and-crafts skills, just like Kevin does in the classic film Home Alone. In-home explorations will keep you occupied and away from your devices without stepping outside your door.
Try something new without breaking the bank. Your activities could include art jamming, making scrapbook magazines, vision boards, or custom jewellery. Taking on tiny projects like these provides an outlet for creativity and is proven to reduce stress and regulate your emotions.
Young Post’s tip: Instead of buying art materials, you can be resourceful by using things you already have at home. For example, when art-jamming, you could try painting on something other than a canvas: T-shirts, bags or even plates and bowls. This allows you to upcycle anything you wouldn’t have used otherwise.
The breakfast club … with your friends!
Spend time indoors with your friends, and you might learn something new about them, much like the characters in The Breakfast Club. Group activities such as board game nights, PowerPoint nights, friendship trivia, or karaoke parties will bring you laughter.
Spending time with people you love can boost serotonin levels, which can help if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. Plus, they will give you an extra boost of self-confidence and a sense of belonging, which is good for the mental health of everyone involved.
Young Post’s tip: The best hours spent with people always include good food, so use this opportunity to order from a new restaurant in Hong Kong or bring some snacks from the convenience store. Don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself – regardless of whether you’re doing a celebratory dance after winning UNO or singing your heart out to your favourite tunes, the most important thing is to enjoy the company of friends.
Channel your inner Moana
Want to see how far you’ll go to pick up a new skill or hobby? The summer is the perfect time to try something new, from learning practical skills like cooking, camping or photography to more niche activities like pottery, woodworking or water sports.
Stepping out of your comfort zone may be daunting, but research has shown that trying new things can trigger dopamine pathways, helping you become more likely to retain positive emotions. The city has many events that allow you to participate in something you have yet to try. Perhaps, just like Moana, you may find yourself on an exhilarating journey of harnessing the power of self-confidence.
Young Post’s tip: Places that host interesting programmes include (but are not limited to) M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District, QQ Wonderland in Kwun Tong, A-team Edventures in the New Territories and The Mixing Bowl in Central. Check their websites for more information and pricing details.