It has been six weeks since we began are “Stay Home, Stay Safe” quarantine. By now you and your family might be experiencing a little cabin fever. Maybe you have watched the same movies over and over again, played dozens of games of Candy Land and Monopoly, or put together every puzzle you owned and are starting to wonder how you will survive another day. However, one of the best things that may come out of this world-wide pandemic is how technology has opened up the world of Fine Art and Sciences to a huge population of people. Did you know you can tour the Louver in France, visit Disney World in Orlando, conduct a science experiment from OMSI, and see a Broadway play all from the comfort of your own home? Below are some ideas and links to resources sure to help the whole family stay entertained while at home.
Keeping the Kids Engaged
Our own ECE 1-2-3 Grow and Learn program is offering virtual early learning playgroups, Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. These groups are open to all families, with an emphasis on learning for children birth to five.
Do your kids like scavenger hunts? Check out Buggy and Buddy’s blog post for 30 free printable scavenger hunts for kids.
What’s better than an art lesson by 
your child’s favorite author/illustrator? Mo Williams, author of several children’s books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and the Elephant and Piggy series, offers a program called “Lunch Doodles” through the Kennedy Center. There is even a graduation gift and certificate parents can download at the end of the 15 episode course. This article from Open Culture offers a listing of several authors, including Mo, who are offering daily or weekly drawing lessons, for toddlers through upper elementary school aged children.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library
The Fort Vancouver Regional Library system has several digital services allowing you to download and read or listen to books, podcasts, magazines, newspapers and videos. With the physical libraries having to close, they have also created a wealth of other online ways to help pass the time at home. Check out this page that helps direct you to library resources that you can use while you’re staying at home.
Museums, Theme Parks and Zoos
Locally, both the Portland Zoo and OMSI are offering ways to explore science virtually. Check out the links below to their websites offering ways to stay engaged at home.
Want to explore more our nation or world has to offer? This Taste of Home article provides you with links and a list of several national and international museums, theme parks, and zoos and aquariums offering free virtual tours. Listings include: The Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York, NASA space center, Louvre in Paris, British Museum in London, Smithsonian in Washington DC, Disney World, Sea World Orlando, San Diego Zoo, Georgia Aquarium and much more!
Theater and Broadway
PBS offers special episodes of “Great Performances” and “Broadway on PBS” — among other programming — for free on their website and their free PBS Video App.
Broadway playwright Andrew Lloyd Webber is offering free musicals to stream on YouTube during COVID-19. Visit broadwaydirect.com for information on how and when to watch.
Many other resources exist out there, waiting to be discovered. We hope you can take some time this week to have some fun, and experience something new. Do you have a favorite resource you’d like to share? Comment below!
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