9 ways you can get through the pandemic with a smile and a touch of creative genius

80,000 people have signed up for a Sunderland project to help them get through the lockdown – and you can too.

And once you do, you will be joining a world of indoor sports days, ice candles, snow art and upcycling as well as fun ideas for your garden.

The Big Neighbourhood Lockdown 3.0 is a scheme on Facebook where people join forces to share ideas on how to stay active during the pandemic.

The group’s creator is Fiona Simpson who owns and runs the Sunderland-based ARTventurers group which was formed in 2011 to encourage children to enjoy messy art and creative play.

But now, during the pandemic, Fiona is helping children and adults alike.

She said: “The Big Neighbourhood Lockdown 3.0 is a group with nearly 80,000 members from up and down the UK and it’s a great place to share ideas and find activity inspiration, especially for those with children at home right now.

“I’m all about keeping kids creative."

Let’s have a look at 9 of The Big Neighbourhood Lockdown 3.0’s ideas on how to make the most of the pandemic.

And to join the group, look for The Big Neighbourhood Lockdown 3.0 on Facebook.

9. Putting items to another use

Repurpose your Christmas tree; Fiona said: "With 2021 off to a difficult start, many people are keeping up their Christmas trees and reusing them for different things! I made my Christmas tree into a birthday tree for my daughter – lockdown birthdays need to be celebrated a bit differently! – and there’s a whole new trend starting for Valentine’s trees too." Photo: other 3rd party