Virtual Events and Activities That’ll Actually Entertain Your Kids

Our kids can only do so much “educational learning” while stuck indoors. Here’s some ways they can have fun.

virtual activities for kids
©istockphoto.com / PeopleImages

To combat the boredom our kids are experiencing during social distancing, local venues and creators have taken to social media to bring activities, laughter and entertainment to our homes.

Bring the sprawling beauty of the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show to your couch. On Wednesday, March 25 at noon on Facebook, viewers can take a tour with the director of glasshouse horiculture, who will show you all the kaleidoscopic highlights of designer Jeff Leatham’s vision—which you can discuss in the live chat.

On Wednesday, March 25 at 4 pm, kids can log onto the Field Station: Dinosaurs’ Facebook page for a free lesson on how to draw a T.rex with paleoartist Chris DiPiazza. When your kids have completed their drawings, post a photo in the comments and you’ll be entered to win a family four pack of tickets valid for July 11, when you can meet Chris DiPiazza in person. The deadline to enter is Sunday, March 29 by midnight.

This Thursday, March 26 at 2 pm, The Art Students League of New York’s instructor Amy Digi will host a free “Fine Arts for Your Fine Tots” course on Facebook. Designed for ages 3-7, your lil’ ones will work on three activities meant to expand their fine arts education. Make sure they have paper, string, tape and a writing tool handy.

Kids can continue to get their doodle on with Mo Willems, who’s offering daily doodles through the Kennedy Center’s website each day at 1 pm.

Thanks to an amazing librarian, your kids can test their wizarding skills (for free) with this digital Harry Potter escape room. They’ll use photos, videos and links to solve the puzzles and escape their house’s common room. Questions range from how many times “Harry” and “Potter” are spoken in a video to using wand motions to open a door.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has embarked on a virtual voyage. While the museum is temporarily closed, access to all online programs and digital content is free. Content includes virtual tours, oral histories, discussions, veterans programs, homeschool resources and more.

On Facebook, Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld is streaming every day at 4 pm. He’ll talk about the science behind putty, his inspiration and everything your kids will need to know to make their own.

The Little Gym teachers are posting free remote classes, The Little Gym at Home, for your kids who are missing out on their gymnastics classes.

Every weekday morning at 10 am, kids can visit the Blaustein Early Childhood Center’s Facebook page for activities hosted by teachers, like a sing-along with Elsa. A code to join via Zoom will be posted on the page. Then, you can head to JCC Camp Ruach’s page for more activities like Music Tuesday, a TikTok challenge and yoga via Zoom. There’s no shortage of virtual activities for Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC, either. Try zumba toning, art classes, sing-a-longs and more.

Camp Half-Blood, the popular South Mountain Reservation camp based off Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, is offering free, daily content on its website. Starting this week, the camp will offer hour-long programs ranging from story time to crafts and even Mythomagic (its version of Dungeons & Dragons) during either their lunch hour or after they’ve completed their school work. Each week, the live stream schedule will be updated at the bottom of this page.

New Jersey-raised children’s musician Laurie Berkner will be hosting free “Berkner Break” concerts most weekdays at 10 am on her Facebook page. There’ll be a variety of songs, movement, stories and more aimed at helping families create a new routine amid social distancing. She’ll perform hits like “We Are The Dinosaurs” and “Waiting For The Elevator.” The music doesn’t begin and end with Berkner Break concerts, either. Each weekday on social media, Berkner will post songs for Berkner Breakfast at 7 am, an afternoon Berkner Break at 3 pm and Berkner Bedtime at 7 pm.

Thanks to a bunch of Disney fans who uploaded their adventures on YouTube, your family can virtually hop on a variety of Disney rides. If your family has only been to Disney World in Orlando, try searching YouTube for rides from parks in California, Japan, France, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

And if you’re looking for activities that do mix entertainment and education, check out these virtual museum tours and other resources.

STUFF TO DO
Calling Percy Jackson Fans! Camp Half-Blood Is Live Streaming Daily
Laurie Berkner To Perform Daily Free Virtual Concerts
Amazon Has Made Its Kids Shows Free For Everyone
Zoos and Aquariums You Can Visit Virtually
This Free Virtual Harry Potter Escape Room Will Spellbind Your Kids
Hop on Disney Rides From Across the World Without Leaving Home
Virtual Museums Are an Awesome Way to Keep the Kids Learning
Weekly Math Brain Teasers to Keep Your Kids’ Minds Sharp
The Kids Can Take Free Online Dance Classes with Ballet En Demand
Disney+ Is Releasing Pixar’s “Onward” Early
Stream Broadway Shows, Operas and Symphonies for Free Online
Children’s Authors Are Reading Their Books To Your Kids
Foodstirs Has Answered All Your Stress Baking Prayers
Free Mindfulness Lessons to Help Your Kids in These Stressful Times
The Best Family Board Games for Self-Isolation
Disney-Loving Kids Can Start Their Imagineering Careers With This Free Course
You Can Host Netflix Parties for Virtual Movie Nights
Trolls World Tour and More Universal Studios Released Online Early
Keep Busy During Self-Isolation with Free Online Ivy League Classes
Josh Gad Is Reading Bedtime Stories During the Coronavirus Quarantine
Try Free Music Classes from Rockness Music While the Kids Are Stuck at Home
Mo Willems Offers Daily Doodles While You’re Stuck Inside With the Kids
Free Resources to Keep the Kids Learning and Entertained During Coronavirus Shutdowns

# virtual activities for kids # virtual activities for kids # virtual activities for kids

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