creative juice

Parent resources in a time of pandemic

During this time of quarantine and social distancing, you’re likely working from home alongside your partner and your kids. Saying “It’s challenging” might be an understatement. The kids are going stir crazy, the dog is barking, and you just ran out of toilet paper.

Take a deep breath. We can’t help you with the toilet paper issue, but we have some good resources to tackle the growing problem of having bored kids at home. As some school districts are scrambling to put together online learning (or not), you can get the kids excited about learning at home via some great resources.

Here you go!

Art

Author/Illustrator Mo Willems (of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus fame) is doing some fun doodle exercises in his art studio. Great for young kids!

Link to article: Mo Willems Is Hosting a Livestream Doodle Every Weekday, Starting Today

Join him on YouTube and don’t forget your sketch pad and pencils! Link to YouTube channel:

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

Art at Home

Here’s a fun table of links to all kinds of art activities you can do at home. Great for ALL ages!

Guide to enjoying art at home

  • Art contests: submit your art for cash prizes
  • Museums: take a virtual field trip to museums around the world and even stream operas on your TV
  • Art games: compete against yourself and others
  • Digital art: create art on your device
  • Art education: learn about art
  • Art at home: art tutorials and prompts for you to create art where you are

Go on a virtual museum tour of the world’s best art with Google Arts & Culture

Link to site: https://artsandculture.google.com/

Can’t get enough of museums? Here are 12 world-class museums you can tour online

Link to list: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/75809/12-world-class-museums-you-can-visit-online

Language

This is the perfect time to learn a new language! Not just for kids, either. When travel starts up again, you’ll be more prepared to converse in the country of your choice. Check out the selection from Duo Lingo.  

Duolingo

STEM

Need some guidance on keeping our kids on the STEM track? Check out Microsoft’s awesome kits/resources for keeping your kids engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Link to site: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/education-workshop/activity-library.aspx

Entertainment

Audible

For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids.

All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.

Explore the collection, select a title and start listening.

Musicals

Who doesn’t love a Broadway musical? Now you can stream some fabulous shows for free in the comfort of your living room.

55 Broadway, Musical, or Broadway Adjacent Movies & TV Shows You Can Stream for Free on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, and Disney+

Music

Need some music therapy? Check out this list of live stream concerts you can watch at home!

A List of Live Virtual Concerts To Watch During The Coronavirus Shutdown

Additional Learning

Scholastic has some great educational resources. Dive into their site to see what’s available. Link to site: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/

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