What time is it? It’s #QuaranTime! Everything is shut down, the kids are home, and we are in uncharted waters. So while I used to revel in bringing you all fun outings to have with your families, we’re taking it online. Virtual playdates, star-studded storytimes, crafty hours… here are some ways to stay busy while staying home this week!

All Week

(See below this list for live events that happen on specific days)

National Constitution Center hosts Constitutional Conversations for Teens

Daily on Zoom

 

During the COVID-19 crisis, the National Constitution Center is offering free daily live constitutional conversations for middle school, high school, and college students, available through Zoom, and accessible on desktop or mobile.

Music Monkey Jungle

Daily at 10 am

 

Join Lori from MMJ every morning on Facebook for singalongs, fun, and playtime.

Virtual Aquarium Visits

Weekdays at 10 am and 2 pm

 

South Carolina Aquarium will host two virtual visits on Facebook a day, guided by an educator trained in STEM-based learning.

Elmwood Park Zoo School Live (and more)

Weekdays at 11 am

 

Join EPZ on Facebook each weekday for a live stream from an Elmwood Park Zoo Educator and one of their live animal ambassadors! You can also watch their animal cams! And Bubby’s Club is an online hub for fun and educational activities with games, videos, lesson plans, and even a book club.

Standby Book Club with Greg Pizzoli

Weekdays at 11 am

 

Author/illustrator Greg Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed, Goodnight Owl) is holding daily book readings, drawing sessions, and more. We tuned in last week, and we highly recommend catching a session!

Mandarin Storytime

Weekdays at 11 am

 

Language Sprout hosts daily Mandarin storytimes on Facebook.

French Storytime

Weekdays at 11:30 am

 

Language Sprout also hosts daily French storytimes on Facebook.

Author Storytime: ‘Beato Goes to…’

Weekdays, see event page for varying times

 

Children’s book author Sucheta Rawal is offering free virtual storytelling sessions of her “Beato Goes to…” series appropriate for ages 4-8. Each book (and storytime) is based on a different country and teaches kids about geography, culture, wildlife, food, and more.

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

Weekdays at 1 pm

 

Author/illustrator Mo Willems (Pigeon books, Elephant & Piggie) invites you to draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting his studio virtually once a day. View at the Kennedy Center’s website.

Kids and Parents Cooking Class

Weekdays at 1 pm

 

Delish hosts daily digital cooking classes! Tune in with your kids on Instagram. This week, make yummy treats like cookie pops, Eggo s’mores, Mason Jar Ice Cream, and more! A new recipe and class every day!

Philly Zoo at 2

Weekdays at 2 pm

 

Explore the zoo, go behind the scenes, talk with experts, and meet some of the zoo’s most amazing creatures every day on Facebook. They’re even gearing up to introduce new babies that haven’t been introduced yet to the public as the series goes on!

Storytime with Oliver Jeffers

Weekdays at 2 pm

 

Head over to author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers’ Instagram as he plans to read one of his books every afternoon until it’s safe to go outside again.

Home Safari Facebook Live with the Cincinnati Zoo

Weekdays at 3 pm

 

Every afternoon, the Cincinnati Zoo will highlight one of their animals and include an activity you can do from home on Facebook Live.

Storytime with Author Mac Barnett

Weekdays at 3 pm

 

Book reading and discussion every day on the author’s Instagram at 3 pm.

Love from the Library Storytime with Media-Upper Providence Free Library

Weekdays at 3 pm

 

Join the library for a quick, 10-minute reading every afternoon on Facebook.

Nimble Craft Daily Craft

Daily on Instagram

 

Daily craft projects posted on Instagram, with instructions and supplies lists in Instastories each day.

Daily STEM Projects with Little Wonderkin

Daily on Instagram

 

Daily craft projects and supplies posted on Instagram, with instructions in Instastories each day.

Nightly Met Opera Streams

Daily at 7:30 pm

 

Stream a different opera on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. This week it’s all Wagner operas.

Virtual Party with a Princess!

Princess Bonnie will sing, tell stories, and does an amazing Queen Elsa (as well as so many other princesses and characters, just check our her page). When my newly six-year-old daughter had her Facebook Live with Elsa, she even turned water into snow right in front of our eyes! I still don’t know how she did that, other than that she must actually be magic. DM her over Facebook and reserve a time—we even debriefed her on our daughter’s long storied friendship with Elsa to keep things consistent!

Go straight to: Monday      Tuesday      Wednesday       Thursday      Friday       WEEKEND? (What are those?)

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Monday

Vitality Virtual Kids Yoga

March 23, 9:30 am

 

Local instructor Vitality Fitness by Ava shares live yoga practice for kids. If you miss it at 9:30 am, it will remain on the Facebook event page for later viewing.

Snapology Online: Crowns and Scepters

March 23, 9:30 am

 

Have fun with dragons, crowns, knights, and swords. Kids ages 5-14 will create their own castles using LEGO bricks and more. Pre-register and pay online; class is via Zoom.

Creativity Time with The Handwork Studio

March 23, 10 am

 

Every Monday on Facebook Live, The Handwork Studio will interactively guide you and your child through making some favorite projects using common household items.

‘There’s a Dragon in My Backpack’: Chapters 1 and 2 with Penn Wynne Library

March 23, 10:30—11 am

 

Ms. Lindsay will be reading from the book There’s a Dragon in My Backpack by Tom Nicoll. The event must be streamed live, and will not be saved after it has ended. The library will return and continue to read chapters weekly if school does not return to session the following Monday.

Intermediate Spanish with Bilingual Butterflies

March 23, 11 am

 

Kids ages 9-12 with some Spanish knowlege, join Señora Yenni Live on Zoom for online Spanish lessons. Pre-register online ($13 per class). Worksheets are provided, ready to download and print.

Tuesday

Toddler Dance Class

March 24, 9:15—9:30 am

 

Phoenix Arts hosts a fun sing-along and dance class for you and your little one! 15 minutes of fun to get your body moving. You’ll need a scarf, lightweight shirt, or towel to use as a prop this week. Join on Facebook.

Settlement Kids: Live

March 24, 10:30 am

 

Keep your kids entertained, engaged, and connected with free music and dance shows brought right to your home by Settlement Music School. Their Playshop, Workshop, and Creative Movement teachers will get you dancing, singing, and smiling on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Snapology presents Science of Superpowers: Iron Man’s Suit

March 24, 11 am—noon

 

Snapology hosts an online class for ages 6-12 via Zoom. In Snapology’s “Science of Superpowers”program, students will learn about the science behind their favorite heroes’ powers with LEGOs at home. Pre-register and pay online; space is limited.

Beginner Spanish with Bilingual Butterflies (Age 9-12)

March 24, 11 am

 

Kids ages 9-12, join Señora Yenni Live on Zoom for online Spanish lessons. Pre-register online ($13 per class). Worksheets are provided, ready to download and print.

Art in Action Live

March 24, 11:15—11:30 am

 

A free art tutorial featuring printmaking with common household items. List of ingredients on the Facebook event page! Hosted by the Children’s Museum of Green Bay.

Railroad Storytime

March 24, 2 pm

 

National Railroad Museum takes it online reads stories, leads songs, and shares a craft on its Facebook page.

Virtual Pajama Storytime: Dinosaurs

March 24, 7 pm

 

Snuggle in for rhymes, songs, and stories for children. This storytime will also be offered on Thursday.

Wednesday

Johnny Shortcake Live on Instagram

March 24, 10:30 am

 

Johnny Shortcake brings the funk with his offbeat kids’ music live on Instagram!

Beginner Spanish with Bilingual Butterflies (Age 6-9)

March 24, 11 am

 

Kids ages 6-9 can join Bilingual Butterflies live on Zoom for online Spanish lessons. Pre-register online ($13 per class). Worksheets are provided, ready to download and print.

Virtual Bilingual Storytime

March 25, 10:15 am

 

This is normally the bilingual storytime time slot at Lulu’s Casita on Wednesdays so come virtually instead!

Snapology presents Science of Superpowers: Transform the Hulk

March 25, 11 am—noon

 

Snapology hosts an online class for ages 6-12 via Zoom. In Snapology’s “Science of Superpowers” program, students will learn about the science behind their favorite heroes’ powers with LEGOs at home. Students will explore the importance of DNA and how a slight change in your DNA can change everything about the way you interact with the world – and potentially work to save it! Pre-register and pay online; space is limited.

Budding Scientists Live

March 25, 11:15 am

 

The Children’s Museum of Green Bay hosts a spotlight science experiment on Facebook live using common household items. Find a list of what you’ll need on the event page!

Railroad Storytime

March 25, 10:30 am

 

National Railroad Museum takes it online reads stories, leads songs, and shares a craft on its Facebook page.

Live with Lowey: ‘From an Idea to…’

Wednesdays at 11 am

 

Lowey Bundy Sichol, author of the “From an Idea to…” series of business and entrepreneurship biographies for kids (ages 8-12), leads a new 25-minute Online Author Visit on her website each Wednesday where she shares the story and insights of different companies and their founders, plus Fun Facts and Q&A at the end. Past episodes can be found on her website.

Kids’ Yoga (Ages 5-8)

March 25, 11 am

 

Mama’s Wellness Joint moves online with Kids’ Yoga for ages 5-8. Pre-register online.

Mermaid Storytime

March 25, 11:30 am

 

Join Mermaid CaySea for storytime on Facebook Live from Mermaid Cove!

Facebook Live Reading: ‘Jake the Growling Dog’

March 25, 1 pm

 

Join the author for a Facebook Live reading of her children’s picture book, Jake the Growling Dog: a children’s book about the power of kindness, celebrating diversity, and friendship! After Jake’s sweet story, everyone can join author Samantha Shannon as she goes through the book’s loving-kindness activity and answers some questions.

Mommy & Me Yoga

March 25, 1 pm

 

Mama’s Wellness Joint moves online with a one-hour class for new mommies and their little ones (generally up to 8 months or so). Pre-register online.

Virtual Pajama Storytime

March 25, 6:30 pm

 

Put on your pajamas and tune in to this special online edition of PJ Storytime with Ms. Rachel of William Jeanes Memorial Library, for families with children through age 7. Gather your pillows, blankets, loveys, stuffed friends, shaker instruments, scarves, bubbles, and join on Facebook.

Thursday

Roots With Ruark All Ages Virtual Music Class

March 26, 10:30—11:15 am

 

Roots with Ruark brings you and your little one a music class full of energy and excitement with that one on one connection that is so vital for the 0-5 age group. This week, he’s broadcasting via Zoom with Kith + Kin! Pre-register online.

Facebook Live Storytime with Penn Wynne Library

March 26, 10:30 am

 

Ms. Lindsay will be virtually hosting a Facebook live storytime, best for toddlers and preschoolers. This event will include two books, lots of nursery rhymes, and a flannel song.

Settlement Kids: Live

March 26, 10:30 am

 

Keep your kids entertained, engaged, and connected with free music and dance shows brought right to your home by Settlement Music School. Their Playshop, Workshop, and Creative Movement teachers will get you dancing, singing, and smiling on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Snapology Online: Basic Archeology

March 26, 11 am—noon

 

Snapology hosts an online class for ages 6-12 via Zoom. Your future archeologists will practice techniques used to uncover artifacts, explore the history of ancient ruins, and examine LEGO sites of their own! Students will learn how the scientific method relates to the field of archeology, how scientists choose specific sites to excavate, and the history behind some of the world’s most famous archeological discoveries.  Pre-register and pay online; space is limited.

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Virtual Support Group

March 26, 1 pm

 

Kith + Kin moves their group online so you can continue on your journey while you’re self-isolated! Facilitated by an international board-certified lactation consultant who can help answer your questions and provide tips for success, the group meets on Zoom (call-in info in the link in title); pay what you can over Venmo.

Hunger Games: Culture, Politics, Economy, and Nature

March 26, 1—2 pm

 

This one-time online class for ages 11-16 will take a close look at the natural, political, and economic world of the Hunger Games and draw connections to the past and present. Space is limited; pre-register online.

Free Online Art Class with Romp n’Roll

March 26, 3 pm

 

You’ll need the printable template, two paper plates, kid scissors, glue, and crayons or markers. Tune in for free on Facebook Live!

Virtual Pajama Storytime: Dinosaurs

March 26, 7 pm

 

Snuggle in for rhymes, songs, and stories for children.

Friday

Hip Hop Class with Phoenix Arts

March 27, 9:30 am

 

An all-ages Hip Hop dance class with Miss Susie on Facebook Live! Make sure to wear sneakers and have some water ready.

Drag Queen Storytime Online!

March 27, 11 am

 

Philly’s Drag Queen Brittany Lynn is teaming up with Philadelphia Family Pride to bring stories of love, diversity, and acceptance right into your home! The storytime live stream will air from the Facebook event page linked above, in the event title.

Snapology Online: Castles, Kingdoms & Wizards

March 27, 11 am—noon

 

Snapology hosts an online LEGO-based STEM class for ages 6-12 via Zoom. Pre-register and pay online; space is limited.

Creative Adventures: Storytime for Children

March 27, 11 am

 

Tune into master storyteller Nia Eubanks-Dixon and the Creative Praxis team as they tell interactive stories that are educational and entertaining. At the end of the session, there will be time for children and caregivers to engage in meaningful ways.

Live Puppet Show with WonderSpark Puppets

March 27, 11 am

 

Every Friday in March, WonderSpark—a New York based mobile children’s theater—will be livestreaming one of their favorite puppet shows on Facebook!

Mini & Me Yoga

March 27, 11:30 am

 

Mama’s Wellness Joint moves online with a one-hour class for a parent and their child ages 6 weeks – age 4. Pre-register online.

B.J. Novak reads ‘The Book With No Pictures’ Live

March 27, 3 pm

 

Author and actor B.J. Novak will be reading The Book With No Pictures live on Facebook, followed by a Q&A for kids.

The Carnival of the Animals: Musical Exploration for Ages 5-10

March 27, 3 pm

 

In this one-time online course for ages 5-10, students will learn about Saint-Saen’s famous composition, Carnival of the Animals. Space is limited; pre-register online.

PlayMusic Family

March 27, 4 pm

 

PlayArts takes it online with Ms. Maria! Join a musical adventure right in your own living room for ages 4 and under. Through fun and familiar songs, sing, move and play using simple materials you might have lying around your home. Click “Join Class” on their website when it’s time for class.

Weekend Events

Well, this is awkward.

 

Get ideas of what to do, where to go, and how to help in our Coronavirus Edition.

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz.