Staying at home can be boring; I think that’s something we can all agree on. The time is never as ripe for doing something as when you’re told not to do it. As Mark Twain once wrote “There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.” But hey, there’s just as much to do inside your own home as outside, don’t you know? In this article, we list some amazing brands that are making everything you need to keep you (and your family) entertained for weeks available for free!
— For a Quiet Night Alone —
Marvel Unlimited (Android | iOS)
UPDATE: Until June 2nd, Marvel Unlimited has made a new selection of stories free to read, including Secret Wars, Miles Morales: Straight Out of Brooklyn, and Captain America: Sam Wilson.
Until May 4th, Marvel Unlimited is offering some of its most iconic stories for free. Stories that define the franchise such as Avengers vs X-Men, Civil War, and the Dark Phoenix Saga, are now yours to read at absolutely no cost, just download their app and you’re good to go!
ComiXology (Android | iOS)
Amazon’s comic and manga service, ComiXology, on the other hand, is offering a slew of #1 issues for free. It may not be a deep dive into any universe but it’s a good opportunity to find new stories to fall into. There’s more to comics than Marvel and DC, you know.
Dark Horse Comics (Android | iOS)
Just like with ComiXology, Dark Horse Comics has made a selection of #1 issues free to read. Though mostly known for their dark, edgy titles like Hellboy and The Mask, they also publish works based on licensed materials. With titles from Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and Dragon Age among others, there’s definitely something for everyone!
Relive Iconic Stories with Shōnen Jump (Android | iOS)
Shōnen Jump has made a ton of manga volumes and a number of episodes free on its manga app and YouTube channel, respectively. And if you’ve ever read anything on Jump, you’d know just how much there will be to go through. The curated lists of anime episodes, meanwhile, may not be as impressive but they’re sure to hit you right in the nostalgia all the same. (Japanese only)
For more, check out SoraNews24’s list of manga publishers that are offering free content.
Nightly Opera Streams
If you’re looking for something a little more high society, visit the Metropolitan Opera for nightly performances. They stream a different show from 7:30 pm EDT until 6:30 pm the next day. You can also learn more about each show on their website.
If you want to support their efforts, you can give donations to the Met Opera through this link.
The Show Must Go On!
Musical lovers rejoice! Every Friday at 7:00 pm BST, a different Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is published on his new YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy! Each musical will be available for 48 hours, more than enough time to grab a bucket of popcorn or dinner with wine or whatever hits your mood. Don’t laze around though, because with or without you, the show must go on!
Go Back to Hogwarts with Team Starkid
Fans of the Harry Potter series will love watching Team Starkid’s re-imagining of J.K. Rowling’s beloved seven-part saga. Retold in a trilogy of stories that borrow and mix elements from across books, you’re in for more unexpected twists than a Gringotts cart ride.
But their success also extends to other parodies like Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier, inspired by Disney’s Aladdin and Wicked, and original stories like The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, all of which are freely available on the Team Starkid YouTube channel.
Sing Your Heart Out
Probably one of the biggest things we’ve lost during quarantine is the luxury of meeting friends and just letting loose. For a lot of Tokyoites, this usually involves karaoke at some point.
Since going out is not in the cards right now, why not give karaoke apps a try? Smule, for example, boasts a massive library of popular songs that you can solo, duet, or sing with a group!
Learn to Play with Fender
Have you ever wanted to play the guitar but thought it was too expensive? What about bass? Or ukulele? Well, here’s your big chance now! Fender is giving away 1 million free 3-month lessons on Fender Play, and the only thing you have to do is get a promo code. But you better hurry because the offer is only good while supplies last and according to PR Newswire the offer has already been extended by ten times due to popularity.
Learn from the Best at edX
But it’s not just Fender that’s offering free lessons, top universities like Harvard and MIT also have free courses that are available online. And if you want to go the extra mile and push for certification, you can do just that for a small fee.
Already have a school you’re eyeing? Save yourself time and browse through edX’s (founded by Harvard and MIT) catalog of courses from 140 institutions!
— For Fun with the Whole Family —
A Google of Possibilities
Explore the world with your kids using Google Street View. Learn and play with Google Earth. The possibilities are endless with the World’s #1 Search Engine.
Cooking Up a Little Bit of Disney Magic
Tokyo Disney Resort may be closed but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of that magic in your own home! TDR Explorer has a complete video library of snacks, seasonal and regular, for you to feast your eyes on. The recipes may be a Disney secret but now is as good a time as any to recreating them and make wonderful memories with the family. For people missing the theme park atmosphere, TDR Explorer also has a playlist of merch hauls and park tours. Planning your dream vacation has been trending as a way to stay positive during this time. Plus it’s a fun way to pass the time as a family.
Last but not least, if it’s the rides you’re missing the most, hop on over to SoCal Attractions 360. They publish POV ride videos in glorious 4K. You might want the skip the coaster ones though.
Start Your Own Pokémon Journey
The Pokémon Company is joining the battle against COVID-19! To help create “home fun for Pokémon fans“, they’ve put up collection printable activities and games guides for the whole family to enjoy!
What’s your favorite type of family entertainment?
Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition
Infamously dark and adult, Cards Against Humanity has created a cult following of party-goers looking for a fun game full of insidious and non-sensical twists. Now, they’ve made a game for the whole family! And even better, you can DIY your own set! CAH wants to reassure you that it’s safe for kids 8 and up. “‘Crap’ and ‘boobies’ is about as bad as it gets.” Kid-friendly humor at its finest!
Print & Play by asmodee
If you’re looking for something more educational but no less fun for the younglings, French game publisher asmodee has you covered with 10 of their classic boardgames.
— For Amazing Kid’s Content —
Free Books and Videos on Amazon
It turns out, supplies aren’t the only thing they deliver. Amazon has made a lot of children’s content free on its video streaming service to bring hours of fun to your kiddos at no cost. With a free Amazon account, you and your kids can access an assortment of cartoons, movies, and Amazon originals!
But it’s not just videos you’re getting. Over on Audible, a selection of audiobooks, including originals, has been made available for free. And in a special section called “Stories”, your kids can browse through audiobooks galore too, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone!
Not Too Cool for School
As part of its home learning support service, Gakken is encouraging kids to learn about the world around us through comics. Until April 30th, kids who read all the books and answer all the quiz items correctly will win a special prize! (Japanese only)
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is also compiling a list of free services to help keep your kids learning. (Japanese only)
How are you and your family staying busy? What’s your way of having fun at home? Let us know down in the comments!
Featured image by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Other images are screenshots of their respective websites
