The upside of these very unsettling times: Creatives, educators, and awesome people are taking it upon themselves to share virtual classes and tutorials to keep littles entertained. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite kid activities, so you can get a little work done, meditate, collect your sanity, or just enjoy a few moments to yourself. You got this.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
Every day, the children’s book author hosts a lunchtime drawing “class” where kids learn how to illustrate favorites like Piggie and Gerald. That’s 30 minutes occupied.
Khan Academy
When it’s time to really do the homeschool thing, this nonprofit virtual classroom offers free curriculum for ages 2 all the way up, so there’s something for literally everyone (you too, mom and dad).
Dinner Theme Nights
Designate an unexpected dress code/meal like black tie (wedding gown, suit/tux, princess dress), superhero (homemade crowns, capes, face paint), or pajama party (serving breakfast for dinner of course). It’ll get everyone (at least somewhat) excited for yet another meal at home.
Namaste
Amanda Ehrman is leading 30-minute yoga sessions for kids 3+ via her IG livestream weekday mornings at 9am PST. Because even the littles could use a daily dose of calm and stretching. If they take to it, check out Cosmic Kids for more pint-size mindfulness.
Audible
The audiobook giant is offering free streaming services on a stellar selection of children’s books. With sections for the littlest to elementary age to tweens to teens, it’s a great way to get everyone off screens for a bit.
Stay Home Sing Together
Fatherly founder Simon Isaacs launched a weekly kids concert series for your whole family’s enjoyment. Tickets are free, but you need to RSVP.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Science
Daily DIY science activities include educating kids on some of the museum’s animals (think snakes, otters, lizards) and easy at-home experiments. New videos are uploaded daily, but you can obviously go back and binge a few anytime.
Excel Taekwondo
When your littles need to get their wiggles out, queue up these excellent taekwondo classes, available in a variety of levels.
Busy Toddler
This is a goldmine of at-home activities that run the gamut – from educational to motor skills to art projects to bath time to sensory – for the 5-and-under set.