How To Still Have A Social Life This Fall
(Hint: Take The Fun Outside)

Let’s face it—life under quarantine isn’t exactly the key to a blossoming social life. Sure, you may have done some Zoom get-togethers or Facetimed with your friends but by and large, it’s been mostly oversized pajamas and Netflix binges. Now, after a wonderful summer sitting on patios and barbecuing outside, remembering what human contact feels like, the weather is getting chillier and signs of fall are all around. That leaves just one thing on everyone’s minds: How will we have a social life if we have to go back inside?

The answer is simple: Don’t go back in. Whether you’re a college kid in the dorms or a 30-something living in the city, you can do a lot of the same stuff you’ve been doing outside all summer—you just need the right clothes.

According to the CDC, activities are safer in outdoor spaces where there’s better ventilation and it’s easier to stay six feet apart. That means that as long as you have a good jacket and some layers, you can maintain a healthy and safe social life even once the weather changes. If you’re eager for ideas, check out these socially distant outdoor activities below. Just be sure to follow proper safety recommendations, any guidelines and restrictions from your local health authorities, and wear a mask when appropriate.

There’s no better way to socialize at a safe distance than by gathering a small group of friends for a “No-Touch” bonfire. The concept is simple: Build a fire, gather around (appropriately distanced and masked as recommended by health authorities), and be merry. Just don’t touch each other. You can roast marshmallows, drink hot beverages, and enjoy some good old-fashioned mask-to-mask socialization.

Feel like dancing? Missing clubs and house parties? A silent disco is a great way to get your dance fix without having to get too close to people. The idea, for the uninitiated, is that everybody dances in a silent space with headphones on. You can stream the same music together or dance to your own tunes. Since you’re wearing headphones, it’s easier to keep apart.

Movie screen, blankets, popcorn—what more do you need? The best part of this plan is that you can choose how socially distant you want to be. For example, you can stay in your car (yet you’ll still be around people) or you can bring a blanket to sit on. All you need is a projector, a wall or mounted sheet, and a space big enough to hold a few cars. Tell folks to dress warm and bring some snacks.

Lying on the ground watching the stars is one of the best (and most mesmerizing) ways to maintain appropriate distance while still being social. Whether it’s a special astral occasion or simply a clear fall night, the starry sky rarely disappoints. This year, there’s a blue moon on Halloween—a rare occurrence that won’t happen again until 2039. And if you can hold out until Dec. 13-14, the Geminids meteor shower will showcase up to 150 meteors per hour across the sky. For the best views, get out of town and away from the city lights.

Remember all of those fun games you played in gym class or at recess? (I.e. capture the flag, kickball, Simon says, four square, etc.) Guess what? Those are still really fun to play as grown-ups. Make big vats of hot cider and bring them to the park. Get together with your friends and warm up with your favorite throwback gym activities. (Note: If you live in a winter climate, kickball becomes “snowball.” This is actually a thing. Google it.)

If you run into elements such as wind, rain, sleet, or even snow, keep in mind that these can actually be incorporated into your good time. For example, if the forecast calls for nasty weather on a day you want to be social, try one of these “bad weather” ideas...

• Rainy-Day Water Fight
• Snowman-Building Contest
• Wet and Rainy Toy Boat Race
• Extreme Sledding